Quote: Originally Posted by
Lukeyson 
(1) What can the Motorcraft PCMFlash utility do? Can it do many of the same things as a WDS/NGS/IDS software tool (Ford Enhanced PID queries, Diagnostics Triggering and Module Programming) or can it ONLY do what is written up about it - new calibration files, Passive Anti Theft and Emissions stuff?
Ford's J2534 software (FMP) lets you flash modules, perform PATS key programming, and configure certain settings like the seatbelt reminder. I've never seen a formal list of features but it works pretty well.
The IDS has extra menu options to read enhanced PIDs and directly control certian solenoids. For some reason they have IDS locked down so it works only with the Ford tool, and not with any J2534 tool. Last time I asked they said "nobody has asked to use IDS with a J2534 device" which I interpret as "we get more money if we sell an expensive Ford tool and lock IDS so it only works with that".
Quote: Originally Posted by
Lukeyson Oh, and Motorcraft say it's only for US cars. Does anyone else know any different (say for an Australian Ford)? I'll email Motorcraft shortly with some questions.
No idea, but they usually respond within 24-48 hours. I'd complain to motorcraft if that's true because there's no technical reason for them to leave Australian cars unsupported.
Quote: Originally Posted by
Lukeyson (2) If there's a more rich set of features than those listed on the Motorcraft page, would any of them work with the Mongoose?
Ford needs a special voltage on pin 13 the to kick the ECU into reprogramming mode. The Mongoose PWM/CAN+FEPS provides this voltage.
Some non-powertrain modules are on a separate Medium Speed CAN network on pins 3 & 11. Although I'd love to support that, Ford refused to release the information and they do not seem to follow the standard in J2534-2. So until Ford shares that information with J2534 vendors, I'm not aware of any tools that can work with modules on that network. They should go visit
http://www.righttorepair.org/.