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ForScan help

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Location
Whitehall PA
Vehicle
2020 Ford Explorer ST
#1
We have a Ford Explorer ST 2020. My husband keeps talking about Forscan and I want to buy him it for Christmas. I want to make sure I am buying the correct one for our vehicle. I know nothing about it. Are there different versions? Are there any components I need to buy with it in order for it to work properly? If anyone can point me in the right direction please. Great appreciated!!
 

Cdubya

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NE Ohio
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2020 Explorer ST
#2
That is a great gift and he will get a lot of use out of it. However, as a gift, I wiuld cincentrate on just the OBD2 dongle that you need to connect to your car. I would recommend the OBDLink MX+ Bluetooth dongle. There is a cheaper wired version, but the Bluetooth version is so small and allows you to use it with your smartphone, ie.Forscan Liteapp. With the dongle, he can download the software onto a PC laptop. There is a free trial and he can later sign up for a license. Forscan Lite is available on the Google or Apple app store and is a very limited but worthwhile version to use on Android or iOS phones or devices.

https://a.co/d/37UJuVF
 

Messages
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108
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27
Location
Sumner County TN
Vehicle
2025 Ford Explorer ST 400a
#3
That is a great gift and he will get a lot of use out of it. However, as a gift, I wiuld cincentrate on just the OBD2 dongle that you need to connect to your car. I would recommend the OBDLink MX+ Bluetooth dongle. There is a cheaper wired version, but the Bluetooth version is so small and allows you to use it with your smartphone, ie.Forscan Liteapp. With the dongle, he can download the software onto a PC laptop. There is a free trial and he can later sign up for a license. Forscan Lite is available on the Google or Apple app store and is a very limited but worthwhile version to use on Android or iOS phones or devices.

https://a.co/d/37UJuVF
I have the same one and it has been working fine for years.
 

powerboatr

Active Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
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Location
Texas
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
#4
forscan software is free for a 2 month trial that you can renew over and over
or pay for a year for 12 dollars, the paid license gets you the ability to add keys etc
but for everyday stuff
the free license will fit 90% of your needs
a bluetooth dongle like the mx plus is an excellent item, but bluetooth has a habit of dropping out sometimes while making changes
the mx cabled model is the preferred item
i have both
both work , but the cable one never gets confused and always connects and stays connected..
https://www.explorerst.org/threads/forscan-spreadsheets.7909/
https://forscan.org/home.html
read the forscan link....it has all the guts and bolts info you need
read the forum there and all watch all the videos and train the brain
always BACK UP the modules before you change anything and always download the as builts files and save as a pdf or other document to have as a backup if things go astray
https://www.obdlink.com/products/obdlink-ex/?ref=forscan
https://www.obdlink.com/products/obdlink-mxp/?ref=forscan
both dongles are available at amazon obd store or the odb website
https://www.fordserviceinfo.com/
https://www.fordserviceinfo.com/AsBuilt
the ford service link you need to create an account , its free and you can access it via FORD owner page or direct to the link above

and lastly a GOOD battery charger that can put out 15 amps at least, for the AGM battery
when you do changes with the KEY on, engine off, the car uses a ton of power and having the battery getting the juice is a priority
also during the forscan changes or hook up, make sure the ac is off, headlights are OFF, seat are off , etc. headlights default to auto each key cycle so you have to rotate the knob to off when the forscan tells you to do a key off, back on cycle
 

Last edited:

powerboatr

Active Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
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Location
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2023 Explorer ST
#6


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