Notices
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

Ford IDS Problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 17, 2015 | 07:21 PM
  #1  
southwindva's Avatar
southwindva
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: South Central Virginia
Ford IDS Problem

Anyone here using the Ford IDS ? My VCM 1 will not communicate with the PCM.
The #3 light on the VCM stays solid red. I am running IDS 75.00.
I don't have another truck to try it on. Bad cable from obdp to the VCM ?
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2015 | 07:29 PM
  #2  
Yahiko's Avatar
Yahiko
Fleet Owner
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
A Ford VCM ?


Sean
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2015 | 08:51 PM
  #3  
87crewdually's Avatar
87crewdually
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,496
Likes: 94
From: So. Jersey
Did you try rebooting the laptop with the usb wire hooked up to the VCM?
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2015 | 08:56 PM
  #4  
Money-Pit's Avatar
Money-Pit
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,169
Likes: 3
From: SW Florida
Did it work with your truck previously, or is this the first time you've used it?
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2015 | 09:03 PM
  #5  
Bullitt390's Avatar
Bullitt390
Certified Thread Hijacker
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,441
Likes: 60
Club FTE Silver Member

Sure it isn't a VCMII?

Josh
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2015 | 10:40 PM
  #6  
dannyboy950's Avatar
dannyboy950
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 5
If it is a VCM1 it will not talk to a 6.0 it is for 1996 and older.
 
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2015 | 03:58 AM
  #7  
southwindva's Avatar
southwindva
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: South Central Virginia
It is a VCM,not a VCM II. It was working last October when I got it . Came with a 3 month license. When that ran out I could not get on IDS at all.Sent it back and it was set up with
IDS 75.00 just so I can use it for diagnostics on my 2006 truck. I was not interested in reflashing Got it back and now it won't communicate with the PCM.
Reloaded IDS 75.00 and rebooted. Now I have both the IDS and Install IDS icons on my Desktop. Its like it did not finish the install. Computers are not my
specialty. 5 hours of this yesterday , wore me out.
 
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2015 | 04:02 AM
  #8  
southwindva's Avatar
southwindva
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: South Central Virginia
Originally Posted by 87crewdually
Did you try rebooting the laptop with the usb wire hooked up to the VCM?
Yes, the VCM was hooked up to both the USB and the truck OBD to power the VCM.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 18, 2015 | 05:16 AM
  #9  
Yahiko's Avatar
Yahiko
Fleet Owner
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
Originally Posted by dannyboy950
If it is a VCM1 it will not talk to a 6.0 it is for 1996 and older.
Yes it will talk to the 6.0.

But you never said if it's a Ford/Rotunda or a clone.

Both the real IDS and the clone IDS do this.
The problem is once you install the IDS software on the laptop is even after you
remove it with uninstall it still leaves a footprint in the registry. Best and fastest
is to wipe the drive reinstall the OS and then go on to the IDS install after you get
all the network functions on the laptop setup and working.

The other way is go do some registry surgery and remove the offending keys.
PITA to say the least one miss placed key or bad edit and your looking at a brick
that will have to be wiped and OS installed again. BTW I don't know what the keys
are that need to be removed. I have one I am doing that right now. But I happen to
have a 2nd HD and caddy so it's just a matter of sliding the drive out after opening
an access door.


Sean


EDIT : I have not had a lot of time to do some reading but check this one out.
IDS vcm ford help!!

or this Google search
https://www.google.com/#safe=off&q=r...+from+registry
 
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2015 | 05:34 AM
  #10  
southwindva's Avatar
southwindva
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: South Central Virginia
Yahiko, thanks for the info. thats bordering on my capability, even thou I understand what you are saying. I thought I might have to uninstall IDS , then reinstall. However, I just tried to install IDS on another WIN 7 computer and can't get it to Desktop Icon,
Yes , this is a real Ford Retunda dealership tool. Toughbook CF-18 Laptop which is a club.
 
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2015 | 07:00 AM
  #11  
southwindva's Avatar
southwindva
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: South Central Virginia
Well I was successful in downloading IDS 75.00 to my newer laptop. Hooked up to truck and it said it could not find the VCM. Rebooted ,and now I am back to no
communication with the PCM. And the # 3 VCM light is solid red. Bad download or bad cable between DLC/ VCM ?
 
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2015 | 09:25 AM
  #12  
Money-Pit's Avatar
Money-Pit
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,169
Likes: 3
From: SW Florida
I had a similar issue when I installed IDS on my Windows XP Pro laptop. I only had one led lit solid on the VCM, and had no connection between the laptop and VCM. My issue was I had to tweak my network connection. This may not solve your issue, but I'll throw these screenshots out there....If it doesn't help you, maybe it will help someone else.

Below is what my network connection settings had to look like before it would work. Remember, I'm using Windows XP Pro...if you're using something else, it may not work for you, it also may not work on someone else's XP Pro. < ~~ my disclaimer in case your laptop becomes a doorstop.
 
Attached Images     
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2015 | 11:51 AM
  #13  
southwindva's Avatar
southwindva
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: South Central Virginia
thanks for taking the time to post these pics. Hpw did you know to check your network?
 
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2015 | 01:58 PM
  #14  
Yahiko's Avatar
Yahiko
Fleet Owner
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
The first link is talking about that very problem after I did a quick scan of that page.


Sean
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2015 | 11:52 AM
  #15  
southwindva's Avatar
southwindva
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: South Central Virginia
Just an update. I downloaded the IDS 75.00 on my other laptop and tried both computers on my 6.0 plus an 06 Crown Vic and a 2010 f150. All vehicles show the same results. ''Can't communicate with the PCM'' .
Tomorrow will be 1 week since I could get ahold of the Vendor. I am up to $1,500. and have a usless tool and no support from the seller.
If this turns out bad, can I warn forum members to steer clear of said vendor ?
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:24 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE