"Car Scanner" (OBD software) now supports Mach-E

[TheVirtualTim]

I bought an OBD adapter (in my case it was the OBDLink MX+ Bluetooth interface) and I've tried different apps with it. My adapter comes with OBDLink software ... but that doesn't have direct support for the Mach-E. I also tried FORScan ... which also doesn't have direct support yet for Mach-E.

But I ALSO happened to have an app called "Car Scanner" and that app just got an update yesterday. The first item in the change log is

• Added new connection profile for Ford Mustang Mach-E.

I have not test it yet (I just noticed it) ... but I guess it's time to go check it out.

Sponsored

 

[phidauex]

That is the app I've been using to capture data files for this thread: https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/driving-dynamics-and-charging-data-files.8473/

It worked fine before with a generic Ford connection profile, but the new profile seems to be more model specific.

However, it still doesn't have all the custom sensors in it, so you need to load the PID custom sensor file from the ForScan thread to enable all the energy storage sensors.

 

[JimmyMachE]

However, it still doesn't have all the custom sensors in it, so you need to load the PID custom sensor file from the ForScan thread to enable all the energy storage sensors.

Just had a quick look at this new Mach-E profile, for me it seems similar to the custom pids. Which pids should I load extra from the Forscan thread?

 

[phidauex]

Just had a quick look at this new Mach-E profile, for me it seems similar to the custom pids. Which pids should I load extra from the Forscan thread?

Hmm, I'll take a closer look - I loaded the app and looked at the custom sensors when MachE support was added last week, but the app author has pushed several updates since then and I haven't rechecked, maybe he filled out the sensor list. I'll check back.

 

[phidauex]

Update: Yes, it does appear to have all the sensor PIDs (that we know of so far), so no need for the custom text file! This makes CarScanner Pro a very appealing option, just a few bucks, works with cheap adapters like the Viecar, and has tons of options. With it reading all the MachE sensors natively it is even better.

It is a bit fiddly to use at times, and isn’t always the most intuitive app, but once you go through setting up some dashboards it works well and runs stable - I’ve got some multi-hour long data logs stored without crashes or other odd behavior.

 

[phidauex]

For anyone watching this thread, after my last FDRS update, it looks like at least two PIDs have changed definitions...

”Hybrid/EV Battery System Current” is stuck at -750A, and therefore ”Hybrid/EV Battery Power” is stuck at -270kW.

The “HV Current” PID is showing a valid amperage value, so it is still possible to calculate power, but I don’t have any actual power PIDs anymore.

Thoughts? Something wrong with my update, or could they have changed the PID definitions?

 

[JimmyMachE]

What exactly was your FDRS update, is it coming to all MMEs?

edit: In Car Scanner app if 'HV Current' has the 'EV_BatteryCurrent' role assigned (in Role override), the 'Hybrid/EV Battery System Current' should work correctly in your car.

 

[phidauex]

What exactly was your FDRS update, is it coming to all MMEs?

If 'HV Current' has the 'EV_BatteryCurrent' role assigned (in Role override), the 'Hybrid/EV Battery System Current' should work correctly in your car.

Hmm, I should have taken more notes about what changed in FDRS and which modules I updated. I wish you didn't have to have a current license just to view information or history on the vehicle.

I do believe the BECM was one of the updated modules which makes me think a value may have changed. What is odd is that Voltage and all the other battery parameters are working - just current is off.

I'm still a novice at working with the car's internal systems - how do I check Role Overrides? Is that in FDRS or can I check that elsewhere?

 

[JimmyMachE]

I meant Car Scanner app:

Car Scanner - in Sensors menu find the 'HV Current' and assign new role (Role override): EV_BatteryCurrent'.

Then the 'Hybrid/EV Battery System Current' should show correct value. This is the default setting in the Mach-E profile.

 

[phidauex]

I meant Car Scanner app:

Car Scanner - in Sensors menu find the 'HV Current' and assign new role (Role override): EV_BatteryCurrent'.

Then the 'Hybrid/EV Battery System Current' should show correct value. This is the default setting in the Mach-E profile.

Ah, that was it! Interestingly, both “HV Current” and “Hybrid/EV Battery System Current” sensors were both set to the role “EV_BatteryCurrent”. I actually had to turn “Hybrid/EV Battery System Current“ role to “None” to prevent it’s -750A value from overriding the correct value.

Now Hybrid/EV Battery System Current still shows the wrong value, but Hybrid/EV Battery System Power shows correct values, and I can use HV Current for current values.

Now my only issue is that for some reason Primary Motor Coil Temp has stopped returning values…

 

[phidauex]

CarScanner just got a whole pile of new sensors added for the MachE! They say a "few" in the release notes, but I count 29 new custom sensors.

Of particular interest are ones that would help you examine the behavior of lane centering/bluecruise:

• Steering angle actual value
• Steering shaft torque
• Steering wheel angle
• Yaw rate signal

Some points to do some quick tests that people have wanted to see on "when do the brake lights turn on during 1pd" and "does 1pd ever use the friction brakes?"

• Brake pressure (I was examining this data in FORScan a bit - brake pressure spikes noticeably when the friction brakes engage)
• Brake light switch (I'm still not sure if this will engage when the light comes on or only the physical switch under the pedal)

More fun points for the tires, 12V system, and more.

 

[Jimrpa]

Update: Yes, it does appear to have all the sensor PIDs (that we know of so far), so no need for the custom text file! This makes CarScanner Pro a very appealing option, just a few bucks, works with cheap adapters like the Viecar, and has tons of options. With it reading all the MachE sensors natively it is even better.

It is a bit fiddly to use at times, and isn’t always the most intuitive app, but once you go through setting up some dashboards it works well and runs stable - I’ve got some multi-hour long data logs stored without crashes or other odd behavior.

More importantly, will it capture software version information?

 

[Davedough]

Random question about these things. I haven't been following any of the OBDII threads, but this thread got me curious.

On my VW GTI, I had a device that plugged into the port, much like this one, and with the correct access codes, one could access various modules of the car and alter how they behave. For instance, on my car, I changed how the tail lights operated entirely, turned off a set of side marker lights that weren't needed, enabled All Windows Up/Down + Sunroof Open/Close from holding a button on the fob, rear mirror dip when backing up to parallel park to see the curb and then returning to normal once you take it out of reverse, etc etc. There were quite a few things I changed that were minor, but made the car feel like my own.

Does this now, or do we think eventually we'll get to a point to where we can make different customizations? Like, change the sequence or speed in which the tail lights move when the turn signals is on, or something.

 

[Anvesh11]

Random question about these things. I haven't been following any of the OBDII threads, but this thread got me curious.

On my VW GTI, I had a device that plugged into the port, much like this one, and with the correct access codes, one could access various modules of the car and alter how they behave. For instance, on my car, I changed how the tail lights operated entirely, turned off a set of side marker lights that weren't needed, enabled All Windows Up/Down + Sunroof Open/Close from holding a button on the fob, rear mirror dip when backing up to parallel park to see the curb and then returning to normal once you take it out of reverse, etc etc. There were quite a few things I changed that were minor, but made the car feel like my own.

Does this now, or do we think eventually we'll get to a point to where we can make different customizations? Like, change the sequence or speed in which the tail lights move when the turn signals is on, or something.

Accessing the ECU will enable you to mod your car. I remember having an OBD II device for my 535i that had an option to increase power by 75HP and it was amazing. Also, it had a bunch of other options like the one you mention about operating windows via the fob.

 

[JimmyMachE]

What is the SOC in your aux 12 battery according to Car Scanner?

My 12V battery seems to be kept at around 90% SOC.

Sponsored