I've seen some stuff for sale on ebay....looks like it's not too expensive but it is made in china or hong kong.

Will it function like it does at the dealerships?
Is it worth it?
Would you do it?

I know the "genuine" ones on ebay use toughbooks...but does the software require a certain PC to run? Or can it be run on any pc?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2014-Newest-Ford-VCM-II-IDS-V90-VCM-2-OEM-Diagnostic-Tool-Equipment-VCM2-A-/261522624748?hash=item3ce3f690ec&item=261522624748&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr

 

Something that costs that much ill just buy the real thing

 

I am out to lunch on the value. You probably need revision R92 or R93 for 2014 and newer vehicles. These come with version 90 I think it is.

http://www.motorcraftservice.com/vdi...leaseNotes.asp

 

The ~1000% markup is something to think about...

 

The real thang is $1499 and a subscription to the software is $699/yr

https://rotunda.service-solutions.co...spx?search=vcm


wanna go buy the real thang now?...

 

Well damn. Somebody buy one and let us know if it works. Maybe that disk has the software for a laptop.

 

A laptop is a laptop is a laptop unless you get a Mac. The laptop Ford sells is ruggedized to prevent damage should a tech drop it or bang it about.

Ford software runs on XP (support ended in Oct 2014), Win7 Professional 32 and 64 bit or Win 8.1 64 bit only.

IDS Requirements

 

Ok so this negates a bunch of it. We are still on the hook for the IDS software no?? Maybe ill buy this once I get paid on the 1st.

 

HA, I'm starting to wonder if it's more beneficial to buddy up to one of the diesel techs

 

Well I've already done that and its cool and everything but having the tools to fix everything on my truck myself would be awesome. I been reading up hardcore on these. The Chinese clones are hit and miss no matter where you order them from. They do come with what I asked earlier though.

 

Matt, the kit in the link comes with a disk containing IDS version 90. Not what you need, but software nonetheless. I'm sure somewhere out in Internetland is a hacked version of the latest and greatest version of the software, but I would have trouble trusting it.

 

Totally agree. Especially somebody who like me is running a tuned truck. The key I think when I pursue this is to have a copy of the base file of the trucks "software" incase something went wrong. Also I would take tuner completely off. There is another forum though that has everything figured out though. So basically we could order one from this eBay guy and it could be great and the next one not work at all. There are sites that sell guaranteed VCM modules, but since VCM II is newer nothing has popped in yet. Hey I am a step closer to factory heated seats! If i could find an aftermarket pad out there that has 3 settings I could just wire up the switch I have now. Hmm.

 

The Chinese knock offs are not worth first it will not let you reprogram pcm to latest ids calibration and if you connected to Internet when trying more then likely be banned from ford server and lose your subscription to ids and we seen here dealer where some people try view data using chinese vcm and blanks pcm and not able to save pcm

 

Yeah a bricked PCM would suck!

 

I can't argue all of this but most of your post is questionable. There are numerous Chinese knockoffs that can update to the latest version. With the Chinese VCMs they require no subscription to the IDS software. Also just viewing data with the VCM its pretty tough to "blank" your data. All its doing is reading values from the vehicle. Its not even close to re writing the PCM.

Again I can't talk from real experience but my knowledge of computer systems pretty much debunks your grammatically correct post.