Forscan help

[Prospect62]

Not sure if this should have gone here or the "tuning" section so if it needs to be moved I apologize.

Can someone give me the quick and dirty on Forscan? I've owned a handful of Panthers but never looked into getting Forscan. With the Marauder and all of the power options/air suspension/etc (stuff I'm not used to because I've always owned P71's) I'd like to have a laptop and some dedicated and detailed software to be able to better diagnose and repair whatever comes up.

I've heard of Forscan, I know it requires an OBD2 dongle of some sort but my questions are:

1.) Where do you get the program
2.) Is there a special release version that is best for the Marauder?
3.) Which is the best "dongle" to get for reliable use?
4.) Any various tips and tricks would be appreciated

I have a Panasonic Toughbook running windows XP (I can't remember) that I have used for car stuff in the past. I also have access to a "newer" (newer than the Toughbook) Toshiba laptop running windows 7 or 8 that I may replace the aging Toughbook with. Any help would be appreciated. Google searches were so voluminous I didn't know where to begin. It's be nice to get a quick rundown from a Marauder person. Thanks.

[Prospect62]

OK so I found this video:

Forscan 101 what is it how to begin where to buy how to start tutorial basics - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvkkQZFIzyA)

Which seems to be a pretty good start. If anyone here has anything to add, I'd be more than happy to hear suggestions or tips. Thanks.

[Mr. Man]

Had to read that title twice. :o

[Spectragod]

There are very few modules that can be written/modified on a marauder/Vic/marquis. That said, ForScan is free, you can use an inexpensive pass through device and read/clear codes. You can do very little on the panther platform with this device.


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[Prospect62]

Had to read that title twice. :o

Straight were my mind goes whenever I read that, too.


There are very few modules that can be written/modified on a marauder/Vic/marquis. That said, ForScan is free, you can use an inexpensive pass through device and read/clear codes. You can do very little on the panther platform with this device.


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Thank you.

[offroadkarter]

This is the bluetooth dongle I use, works perfect, many others use it for forscan as well. It also comes with a free phone app that can pull trouble codes (including mode 06 and 09) which is nice

https://www.amazon.com/OBDLink-Bluetooth-Professional-Grade-Diagnostic-Performance/dp/B07JFRFJG6/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=obd+mx+blu etooth&qid=1643495228&sprefix=obd+mx+bl%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-3

Spectragod is correct that not much can be done programming wise on these cars. Off the top of my head you can program new keys as well as program a new code for the number pad on the drivers door using forscan. I haven't hooked mine into a panther in a while but forscan has a lot of nice test modes for things.

[Prospect62]

Is it even worth using Forscan then?

I already have a nice bluetooth OBD2 dongle and I pay for the "AutoDoctor" which is a really nice, feature rich app on my iPhone to do code stuff on my daily and the wife's car.

[Spectragod]

Is it even worth using Forscan then?

I already have a nice bluetooth OBD2 dongle and I pay for the "AutoDoctor" which is a really nice, feature rich app on my iPhone to do code stuff on my daily and the wife's car.

If your other cars are ford’s and you want to enable features, then yes, it’s worth it.


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