F150 Lightning FORScan thread - Version 2

[GDN]

So are these features things that were developed and included in software updates but just not enabled on older models? Or were they there all along and not turned on for some reason until the later model years?

Some of both. Matrix headlights have been there since the beginning but they weren't legal in the US (they were legal and activated for Canadian trucks). They've since become legal in the US, but they've never added the controls to the SW.

Others like Pro Power On with the truck off, that didn't happen until the 2024 model. They likely had to update some SW to support it. Ford said they would back port that to the previous models, they never did, so we just activate it ourselves with Forscan.

It's hit or miss, but few have been back ported in the GUI to the older trucks.

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[Firn]

So are these features things that were developed and included in software updates but just not enabled on older models? Or were they there all along and not turned on for some reason until the later model years?

Some are features for foreign markets, some are features for different configurations, some are features from higher or different trims, and i expect some are things that were tested (or for testing) and not included.

A few examples.
With front and rear height sensors i believe you can turn on auto leveling lights. Automatic scales are likely also a forscan change (turned off when they ran out of sensors). There are features that enable GPS and situation based headlights (one side turning to the side for traffic circles, or one light turning into a curve BEFORE the turn). Others, like the light bar, are trim specific (my pro does not have a light bar). Things like speed limit sign recognition can be turn on (or off). And a variety of other things like that. "Dark" mode is probably a feature that wasn't approved.

 

[Jackdforme]

Light bar doesn’t work. FYI.

 

[auggiesdad]

I just had a really peculiar thing happen on forscan. I went through the whole process of saving the asbuilt files, changing the codes (from this forum) for the glare-free lighting, restarting the truck, and nothing. Went through and checked my work, couldn't find any errors. Restarted the truck a few more times. Decided it was best to put back all the original codes and restarted the truck. BAM, the glare-free toggle showed up. I will check it in the morning to see if it went back to match the original codes but it was frustrating.

 

[bmwhitetx]

I just had a really peculiar thing happen on forscan. I went through the whole process of saving the asbuilt files, changing the codes (from this forum) for the glare-free lighting, restarting the truck, and nothing. Went through and checked my work, couldn't find any errors. Restarted the truck a few more times. Decided it was best to put back all the original codes and restarted the truck. BAM, the glare-free toggle showed up. I will check it in the morning to see if it went back to match the original codes but it was frustrating.

The notes on that mod specifically state that it may take a couple of restarts to take effect. Others have reported the same thing you noticed. There may also be a time element between the restarts, i.e, leave the truck off for a period of time.

 

[Firn]

Success in using the Vgate vLinker MS with FORScan ($60 vs the $140 for the MX+)

Windows setup is not straight forward but it appears to work.

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...nitoring-forscan-and-connection-issues.29273/

 

[Henry Ford]

Matrix headlights have been there since the beginning but they weren't legal in the US (they were legal and activated for Canadian trucks). They've since become legal in the US, but they've never added the controls to the SW.

The truth about the matrix headlights is dumber than you could imagine. The following is based on my memory and will be light on specifics. If you want more details you can Google it.

US headlight rules have ALWAYS been behind. Until the 70s the only options were two sizes of round headlights. The big innovation in the 70s was square headlights. Headlights couldn't be covered so you'd see American versions of European sports cars that were less attractive than those sold in the rest of the world. In the 80s Ford was able to get composite "aero" lights approved and the modern era of headlights began...in America. It had begun everywhere else years prior. Anyway...

European automakers wanted to continue improving headlight technology and eventually someone (maybe Audi?) came up with matrix headlights that operates as "high beam" all the time and shaded the area where other cars were. It should be noted that European regulations kept up with technology which makes perfect sense. If it is better and safer than what is legal it should be legal.

At some point, someone in Congress decided it would be safer for Americans to have access to modern headlights and they passed a law instructing the regulators (NHTSA, I think) to make matrix lights legal. Woohoo, time to celebrate... except they didn't make the regulation right away. It took years. And while they could have just copy and pasted the Euro rules, someone decided to make America specific rules.

If you've made it this far you're going to love the punchline. Lightning matrix headlights are not legal in America because Ford engineered them to the Euro standard. That was the only standard available and why would the US change a rule that was proven to work? I don't have an answer to that.

 

[Rocky514]

Some of both. Matrix headlights have been there since the beginning but they weren't legal in the US (they were legal and activated for Canadian trucks). They've since become legal in the US, but they've never added the controls to the SW.

Others like Pro Power On with the truck off, that didn't happen until the 2024 model. They likely had to update some SW to support it. Ford said they would back port that to the previous models, they never did, so we just activate it ourselves with Forscan.

It's hit or miss, but few have been back ported in the GUI to the older trucks.

Which mod give the Pro Power On with the truck off? I was trying to look for it but can't find it.

 

[JimmySasquatch]

Which mod give the Pro Power On with the truck off? I was trying to look for it but can't find it.

I would like to know as well.

 

[PJnc284]

I would like to know as well.

That's an expensive mod. Gotta buy a 24 or 25 since ford sucks at updates

 

[GDN]

Which mod give the Pro Power On with the truck off? I was trying to look for it but can't find it.

I may have gotten that confused with this one. I rarely use the Pro Power and we've been through a couple of iterations, I don't see that we've discovered how on the older trucks - at least we can default the state of it however so it doesn't shut down on you if you forget to check it. Sorry about that.

This is what I was thinking of:

Disable Vehicle Power Down Timer at Start - Whenever you start your truck, the Vehicle Power Down Timer is always enabled. This shuts the truck off after 30 minutes. This mod defaults the timer to off at start. See this post for details, warnings and source.
IPC 720-01-01 x*xx xxxx xx if F then change to 7, if C change to 4.
Note that 2022-2024 Lightnings with ACC will have a "F" and trucks without ACC will have a "C". As always, let me know if you see something different.

 

[JimmySasquatch]

I may have gotten that confused with this one. I rarely use the Pro Power and we've been through a couple of iterations, I don't see that we've discovered how on the older trucks - at least we can default the state of it however so it doesn't shut down on you if you forget to check it. Sorry about that.

This is what I was thinking of:

Disable Vehicle Power Down Timer at Start - Whenever you start your truck, the Vehicle Power Down Timer is always enabled. This shuts the truck off after 30 minutes. This mod defaults the timer to off at start. See this post for details, warnings and source.
IPC 720-01-01 x*xx xxxx xx if F then change to 7, if C change to 4.
Note that 2022-2024 Lightnings with ACC will have a "F" and trucks without ACC will have a "C". As always, let me know if you see something different.

I did do this mod. Works great when I keep the pup in the car.

 

[Rocky514]

I may have gotten that confused with this one. I rarely use the Pro Power and we've been through a couple of iterations, I don't see that we've discovered how on the older trucks - at least we can default the state of it however so it doesn't shut down on you if you forget to check it. Sorry about that.

This is what I was thinking of:

Disable Vehicle Power Down Timer at Start - Whenever you start your truck, the Vehicle Power Down Timer is always enabled. This shuts the truck off after 30 minutes. This mod defaults the timer to off at start. See this post for details, warnings and source.
IPC 720-01-01 x*xx xxxx xx if F then change to 7, if C change to 4.
Note that 2022-2024 Lightnings with ACC will have a "F" and trucks without ACC will have a "C". As always, let me know if you see something different.

Ahhh.. Gotcha. Yah I still need to disable the power down timer. So far I have activated the anti-glare headlights, changed blinker count for turn signal, and deleted the splash screen animation at start-up. All those work great. If only we could find a way to set Sport as the default drive mode, keep recirculate on, and find out how to do the Pro Power with truck off I'd be happy.

 

[bmwhitetx]

So far I have …… and deleted the splash screen animation at start-up.

Can you explain what you did for this one? It is also known as IPC Quick Boot (IPC = instrument panel cluster or dash). There have been several attempts at this but iirc they were unsuccessful. I’ll add to post 1. Thanks!

 

[kubel]

Which mod give the Pro Power On with the truck off? I was trying to look for it but can't find it.

I have a 2024 and it's not as useful of a feature as people think. It powers off after about 10 minutes of detecting less than ~100W. If you use your truck for intermittent loads (air compressor, fridge, power tools, welding, concrete mixer), or use your truck for very light continuous loads (powering a starlink mini, powering a laptop, charging a cell phone) the truck will turn off PPO and you will have to start the truck and re-enable it continuously.

There are very few use cases where you have continuous load (lighting in certain cases, fans or blowers, charging an EV). Otherwise, if you are on a job site, it may be best to keep the truck powered on (even though it's in drive-off condition) so it doesn't auto-stop PPO.

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