just bought an OBDlinkMX+ scanner

[davehu]

Installed an OBDLinkMX+ scanner yesterday and downloaded software for my Samsung phone and my Chromebook. WOW. Overwhelmed at all the info presented. Will be perusing this this technical forum extensively but have a lot to learn before downloading FORscan. Thanks in advance for all the help (your going to be giving me!)

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[Lightning Rod]

I bought one a couple months ago and never used it yet.

I will check it out this weekend.

 

[F150Redux]

I bought one a couple months ago and never used it yet.

I will check it out this weekend.

Bought mine a month ago and have yet to use it. Closer though... it's in the truck now. lol.

 

[B177y]

I keep my MX+ in the truck on an OBD extension/splitter that has an on/off switch and another BLE OBD on the other half of the splitter. Let's me run ABRP Pro and Carscanner at the same time for when I'm feeling really geeky....or just in case something pops up while traveling and I want to investigate, but that hasn't happened yet so it's just when I'm feeling geeky

 

[Red_Lightning]

I keep my MX+ in the truck on an OBD extension/splitter that has an on/off switch and another BLE OBD on the other half of the splitter.

Link to your splitter please!

 

[chl]

Note: The FORscan program might tell you your OBD device is not compatible and the changes may not work (or words to that effect) unless yours is one of the ones they mention on their web site.

It told me that about mine, but the changes worked.

If you do any FORscan changes, check the forum threads about it.

And it would be a good idea to have a battery maintainer for the 12v battery to avoid low battery problems when making changes.

 

[chl]

PS: I think FORscan now has dropped support for some 'mobile' device versions and recommends a windows laptop for example, so your chromebook might not suffice.

 

[rugedraw]

And it would be a good idea to have a battery maintainer for the 12v battery to avoid low battery problems when making changes.

A battery supply is not required for config changes. That is only needed for MFU functions with FORScan which are not recommended unless you are able to source the files yourself or have absoultely no choice and do not have access to FDRS.

 

[chl]

A battery supply is not required for config changes. That is only needed for MFU functions with FORScan which are not recommended unless you are able to source the files yourself or have absoultely no choice and do not have access to FDRS.

Thanks for clarifying that point.

I know it is not 'required,' but it is recommended in some posts I've seen if the vehicle is going to be sitting in ACC mode for a long time.

I think I would advise having one for a couple of reasons:

1) the pathetic 12v battery system we have on the Lightnings often leads to weak under-charged 12v battery conditions - many posts about that; and

2) in ACC mode, a weak battery could cause problems if the truck decided to go into a sleep condition while programming, eh?

It took me some time to do my FORscan changes the first time I used it - just backing up the OEM modules took quite a bit of time, all the while in ACC mode.

Hard to say how long someone's 12v battery will last in ACC mode unless they're sure it is healthy and topped off before starting.

I was pretty confident about my 12v battery because I keep it on a tender when not driving.
But I would not assume everyone's 12v battery is in good health given all the issues people have had with them.

 

[rugedraw]

Thanks for clarifying that point.

I know it is not 'required,' but it is recommended in some posts I've seen if the vehicle is going to be sitting in ACC mode for a long time.

I think I would advise having one for a couple of reasons:

1) the pathetic 12v battery system we have on the Lightnings often leads to weak under-charged 12v battery conditions - many posts about that; and

2) in ACC mode, a weak battery could cause problems if the truck decided to go into a sleep condition while programming, eh?

It took me some time to do my FORscan changes the first time I used it - just backing up the OEM modules took quite a bit of time, all the while in ACC mode.

Hard to say how long someone's 12v battery will last in ACC mode unless they're sure it is healthy and topped off before starting.

I was pretty confident about my 12v battery because I keep it on a tender when not driving.
But I would not assume everyone's 12v battery is in good health given all the issues people have had with them.

There is nothing wrong with putting a charger on it and if you feel more comfortable doing so, then by all means....do it. It takes FORScan one second to write the config when you make a change, so the chances of the 12v battery completely dying in that one second are slim to none.

I have never used a battery charger/power supply to make FORScan changes. What I do is turn off the radio, the a/c fan, the headlights and interior lights, and unplug my dashcam so there is no uneccessary draw on the 12v battery. I understand the EV's have a very small 12v battery compared to ICE vehicles, but even so, it is not necessary unless you plan on being in ACC mode for hours which would/should not be the case if all you're doing is changing a few bits around.

 

[chl]

There is nothing wrong with putting a charger on it and if you feel more comfortable doing so, then by all means....do it. It takes FORScan one second to write the config when you make a change, so the chances of the 12v battery completely dying in that one second are slim to none.

I have never used a battery charger/power supply to make FORScan changes. What I do is turn off the radio, the a/c fan, the headlights and interior lights, and unplug my dashcam so there is no uneccessary draw on the 12v battery. I understand the EV's have a very small 12v battery compared to ICE vehicles, but even so, it is not necessary unless you plan on being in ACC mode for hours which would/should not be the case if all you're doing is changing a few bits around.

Old Murphy and his laws just keep nagging at my brain, so I always do anything I can to avoid them!

 

[davehu]

I keep my MX+ in the truck on an OBD extension/splitter that has an on/off switch and another BLE OBD on the other half of the splitter. Let's me run ABRP Pro and Carscanner at the same time for when I'm feeling really geeky....or just in case something pops up while traveling and I want to investigate, but that hasn't happened yet so it's just when I'm feeling geeky

what's with the splitter? the MX+ connects via bluetooth

 

[davehu]

PS: I think FORscan now has dropped support for some 'mobile' device versions and recommends a windows laptop for example, so your chromebook might not suffice.

will watch for that.

 

[RickLightning]

Link to your splitter please!

Here's my splitter - OBD2 Splitter, bbfly-B31 Full 16pin OBDII Port 1 Male Splitter to 2 Female Extension Cable 1.6IN/4CM (B31 1PACK)

 

[chl]

The FORscan home page has approved OBD devices, and the FORscan thread also mentions ones that work with it.

• Supported adapters :
• OBDLink EX USB, recommended USB adapter for Windows version of FORScan, also for configuration and programming functions
• OBDLink MX+ BT, recommended Bluetooth adapter for Lite versions of FORScan (iOS, Android)
• OBDLink SX/LX/MX
• ELS27 (STN1170/2120)
• ELM327-compatible (fully compatible with original ELM327, please also see important note below)
• J2534 Pass-Thru
  
  Important note: after many years of continued project development, even those of few ELM327 that have relatively good quality, ceased to meet all of the FORScan requirements. Besides, majority of the adapters that are being sold under ELM327 trademark have quite dubious quality that dropped a lot in the past: in fact, they have nothing common with the famous "ELM327" brand but name. Thus we do not recommend any "ELM327" anymore. If possible, please use adapters recommended above. FORScan will continue to support ELM327 adapters, but some new functionality may be limited or refuse to work on outdated adapters.

https://forscan.org/home.html

One of the FORscan ones is a USB wired one if your BT is problematic for any reason or your laptop doesn;t have BT, I used a BlueTooth one with no problems.

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