Idiots guide to IDS

[paul2012]

:shock:
Definitely out of the financial scope of the diy user.

@ knobby, It could be that the vcm Is faulty, i forgot you may have already tried, did you try Wi-Fi?

Funny you should say the VCM may be faulty Loot, I found out yeasterday one of my workmates has a VCM-II, he brought it in into work this morning for me and I plugged it in just 15mins ago....same result Zero voltage while attempting PCM update Needless to say I don't think it's a VCM issue.

I don't have a Wi-Fi module so that's out of the question.

I've tried two different PC's with XP.... I might give Win7 a shot and see what happens, nothing to lose I guess...I can't see two VCM's being faulty with exactly the same fault though, even used different cables and usb ports and still the same. All I can think of is the PC software is duff..

Lord Knobrot

Check to make sure there is a 12v+ feed at DLC

Pin 16 GY/BN is permanent 12V+. If no power, check fuse F72 10A

[knobby1]

Check to make sure there is a 12v+ feed at DLC

Pin 16 GY/BN is permanent 12V+. If no power, check fuse F72 10A

Thanks Paul, good call, I have 12v+ @ pin 2 with ignition on but I've not checked pin 16 for a permanent 12v+ feed....I'll give it a go shortly and let you know.

Lord Knobrot

[knobby1]

Hi Paul,
I just put a multimeter across pin 16 on the DLC and it has 12.95v at rest, 14.27v with engine running....so I guess fuse F72 is indeed good. This makes sense as my live data readout works well with both IDS and my cheap code reader.

Lord Knobrot

[loot]

So your getting power to your diagnostics port etc and it shows on live data, can bus will be all good too with fault code reading etc.
What about changing your configuration to single battery Lol.
You need to try and see if your laptop/your vcm are working correctly, are you able to put ids on another Ford and check if it is showing power?

[knobby1]

So your getting power to your diagnostics port etc and it shows on live data, can bus will be all good too with fault code reading etc.
What about changing your configuration to single battery Lol.
You need to try and see if your laptop/your vcm are working correctly, are you able to put ids on another Ford and check if it is showing power?

Not tried single battery config....worth a try I guess....tried two different lappy's with XP, another with Win-7 and another VCM-2....all do the same thing, zero volts during PCM update...apart from that they all do everything else fine....

Lord Knobrot

[loot]

Was the other vcm used on its own laptop or yours?

[knobby1]

Was the other vcm used on its own laptop or yours?

We first tried the other VCM2 it with it's own lappy, then the two of mine...same result all round...I'm starting to suspect the PCM itself....but I had no issues with the way it drives, just had a little "hunting" at idle....so I replaced the SCV & PRV, I then attempted to do the pump and pilots learns which is required after replacing the valves, it failed due to "idle speed not within limits", it then tells me to do the PCM update, which should be no issue... but this is where I'm stuck, won't even start the PCM update due to the "zero voltage" issue.... and now the COG! light is on permanently because the pump learn hasn't been completed successfully.

The poor beast is basically in limp mode, difficult to start when cold....drives ok but lacking power....I'm guessing somewhat like a 75ps machine..

Lord Knobrot

[knobby1]

Hey Loot,
I've just come back inside after giving both VCM2's a go, I un-installed and re-installed Windows & IDS etc...the IDS itself runs fine and can do all procedures except module reprograming..pain in the arse as I now have a painfully slow 140PS Mk7.... IDS let me successfully do the injector correction factors, but I cannot do the pump & pilots learns because the IDs tells me my PCM needs updating....stuck between a rock & hard place..!

I've come to the conclusion that both the VCM2's I have are not capable of module reprogramming, there must be something missing on their PCB's or summink.

Which VCM2 unit should I buy which is going to work..??

Lord Knobrot

[paul2012]

Hey Loot,
I've just come back inside after giving both VCM2's a go, I un-installed and re-installed Windows & IDS etc...the IDS itself runs fine and can do all procedures except module reprograming..pain in the arse as I now have a painfully slow 140PS Mk7.... IDS let me successfully do the injector correction factors, but I cannot do the pump & pilots learns because the IDs tells me my PCM needs updating....stuck between a rock & hard place..!

I've come to the conclusion that both the VCM2's I have are not capable of module reprogramming, there must be something missing on their PCB's or summink.

Which VCM2 unit should I buy which is going to work..??

Lord Knobrot

Have you installed Extend programming patch
From what I understand about clones. It's required to allow module programming.

[knobby1]

Have you installed Extend programming patch
From what I understand about clones. It's required to allow module programming.

Yes mate...Date is good for another 120 days, did it just before I connected it to my van...If you don't do the Xprog thing it won't even allow you to start the module re-programming, just tells you "this function is not available".
I can do all other IDS functions as per normal and I can get all the way to the PCM re-program "confirm" window and when I press confirm, it then pops up with a window which tells me my DLC voltage is 0-volts and to ensure my battery is fully charged or connect a power supply...both of which make absolutely no difference....even with battery charger connected it still tells me 0-volts... Then it aborts the procedure.
So I'm guessing between the DLC and VCM2 there must be something not picking up the live, I have voltage at pin 16 of the DLC and at the cable where it connects to the VCM2, what happens to it after that is a mystery ...I'm sure it can see the voltage because the live data part of IDS works properly....I'm more than a little confused by this.

One would think that if IDS can see voltage in one function/place it should be present during all functions if required...!

Lord Knobrot

[loot]

This is all i can suggest.
Try a pcm update on another Ford using your ids or try another pcm.
I've had 4 vcm and all do a pcm update.

You had your pcm remapped, is it possible that they locked out the ability to update it yours is different to mine tho because it actually says you can have a pcm update where as mine shows no update is available.

There are multiple memory levels i believe, security, software, programming etc as said in ids, maybe there is a problem reading voltage in the programming? (Total guess tho as i also would think the same as you regarding the voltage in live data.

I have had the ability to try different ids, laptops, pcm and vehicles to weed out the problem, and unfortunately that it's what you need to do to get your solution

You may want to go to Ford and get a pcm update, if they can't do it hopefully there's no charge and you know how to proceed.

[knobby1]

This is all i can suggest.
Try a pcm update on another Ford using your ids or try another pcm.
I've had 4 vcm and all do a pcm update.

You had your pcm remapped, is it possible that they locked out the ability to update it yours is different to mine tho because it actually says you can have a pcm update where as mine shows no update is available.

There are multiple memory levels i believe, security, software, programming etc as said in ids, maybe there is a problem reading voltage in the programming? (Total guess tho as i also would think the same as you regarding the voltage in live data.

I have had the ability to try different ids, laptops, pcm and vehicles to weed out the problem, and unfortunately that it's what you need to do to get your solution

You may want to go to Ford and get a pcm update, if they can't do it hopefully there's no charge and you know how to proceed.

Thanks Loot...I fear you may be right.....I did plug the machine into my workmate's 2009 Focus.....live data etc...works fine....but it does the same thing as my van when I attempted a PCM update..."Battery Low Voltage". This all points to the VCM2 not being able to do module program/re-program.. My guess is there's something missing on the PCB.

I've sent an email off to the mob I bought it from as it says on their website it can definitely do module re-programming.

I'll see what they come back with....not that it'll help much though...

Lord Knobrot

[loot]

These clones are generic and i would say it is more likely that a component on the board has fried rather than not been fitted.
I doubt they'll ask you to return it but hold off opening it up until you know from them.
I assume that you've never tried performing a pcm update?
I know you've done config etc so you must have had the voltage check at some point on order to do these things?

[knobby1]

These clones are generic and i would say it is more likely that a component on the board has fried rather than not been fitted.
I doubt they'll ask you to return it but hold off opening it up until you know from them.
I assume that you've never tried performing a pcm update?
I know you've done config etc so you must have had the voltage check at some point on order to do these things?

You're probably right.....although is still does all the live data with battery voltage etc...without issue, so it knows the voltage is there, just doesn't seem to use it for module updates, Just for hits 'n giggles, I tried a BCM update and had the same issue..
As far as a component frying goes.....probable...!

Got an email back from the supplier, they said I needed an account..WTF, if I needed an account I wouldn't be able to do anything with the IDS would I??

Lord Knobrot.

[loot]

Were they specific in saying an account for ids or for buying from them?

If ids then that's rubbish as far as I'm aware, you don't need to be connected to the internet for module programming, unless they are confused and think you need to be able to get the data from motorcraft, but even so you have c81 calibrations stored locally, and even more to the point, if it was required, you'd be stopped at no calibration found and not at the voltage check.

Regarding the vcm and voltage thing, ids has different levels to it and so does your pcm so we don't know for sure that the part that measures voltage in live data is also the past that checks voltage in reprogramming.


What we need is a full data file for the vcm circuits, but that probably isn't going to happen, plus many of these vcm look the same but have different circuit layouts and components as made by the Chinese, the only way to be able to repair them is to fully understand how they work and if that isn't possible then reach type of vcm should be stripped down and component tested to find the faulty components for each type of fault too may variants and also not practical tbh.

I have 2 vcm that are playing up, i could try and test some of the basic protection components to see if i can learn something but it can't possibly serve as a universal fix

Consider these vcm as a tank of fuel imo, useful for what they cost and pray you can get as much use out of them before they become a brick.

I will say however tho, it seems very odd that you have picked up 2 vcm that have the same fault.
Were they bought from the same seller at the same time??

Is it in any way possible that there is a difference in region? Silly question but is there any difference in the aus vehicle components?
I'm sure i have read something that suggests a region relating to ids but it may well be just the cd region for computer installation?
No idea Lol