What J2534 devices work for programming the Mach E?

[New2EV]

I've read through a lot of the posts on this site trying to figure out what J2534 would be best to buy. I see a lot of people are using the Mongoose Plus or Pro. I've read Ford's recommended J2534 tools. But I'm curious what other programmers are people using?

Are all J2534 tools going to work (excluding cheap knockoffs)? Are there advantages to using a more expensive tool than the mongoose (i.e more car modules available)?

Any experience with Snapon pass thru, Snapon vcm2 lite, bosh mastertech vci, carddaq-m, cardaq plus, autel maxiflash, (any others)?

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[generaltso]

The Mongoose has worked perfectly with FDRS for me, and I haven’t heard anyone report any issues with it. People have used cheaper adapters and had them stall out during some updates. I can’t think of any reason to buy something more expensive than the Mongoose.

 

[kltye]

I bought the Bosch Mastertech (version 1) off eBay, but that was before FDRS got popular and everyone confirmed the Mongoose would work ?.

 

[New2EV]

I bought the Bosch Mastertech (version 1) off eBay, but that was before FDRS got popular and everyone confirmed the Mongoose would work ?.

Any issues with it? Or it works fine? I read that Mongoose won't do MS CAN. Will the Mastertech? Or is MS CAN not an issue?

 

[kltye]

Any issues with it? Or it works fine? I read that Mongoose won't do MS CAN. Will the Mastertech? Or is MS CAN not an issue?

No issues; it does MS-CAN with no problems for me. I use it mostly with FDRS, but so far, so good. I've flashed pretty much all the modules since last summer with it.

 

[New2EV]

The Mongoose has worked perfectly with FDRS for me, and I haven’t heard anyone report any issues with it. People have used cheaper adapters and had them stall out during some updates. I can’t think of any reason to buy something more expensive than the Mongoose.

I guess I'm debating a new Mongoose vs a used something else off eBay of similar cost. From what I've gathered any quality J2534 should work for updating modules, correct? Or are some more capable than others?

 

[generaltso]

I guess I'm debating a new Mongoose vs a used something else off eBay of similar cost. From what I've gathered any quality J2534 should work for updating modules, correct? Or are some more capable than others?

The Mongoose can read all buses and modules with FDRS. There are some it won’t read with FORScan, so I use an OBDLink adapter for that.

 

[New2EV]

The Mongoose can read all buses and modules with FDRS. There are some it won’t read with FORScan, so I use an OBDLink adapter for that.

Ah, ok the MS CAN issue is just with FORScan. Thanks that helps.

 

[phidauex]

I use the Mongoose and like it. Previously I tried to save a few bucks with a used Snapon Pass Thru III but I could never get a driver combo that worked - it is fairly old hardware. The IV might be better, but it is more expensive than the Mongoose.

 

[New2EV]

I use the Mongoose and like it. Previously I tried to save a few bucks with a used Snapon Pass Thru III but I could never get a driver combo that worked - it is fairly old hardware. The IV might be better, but it is more expensive than the Mongoose.

Good to know. The pass thru III was one of them on my list. I wonder if all older hardware programmers will have troubles?

 

[New2EV]

According to a sales rep at drewtech.com:
The CarDAQ M is becoming a bit out of date. It's not equipped to support some of the latest vehicle protocols, including CAN FD (CAN Flexible Data Rate) and DOIP (Diagnostics Over Internet Protocol). With this being said, I'd recommend the MongoosePlus or CarDAQ Plus 3 over the CarDAQ-M. Especially if you're working on newer vehicles, such as the Mach E.

Both our CarDAQ Plus 3 and MongoosePlus Ford can fully supports Ford's FJDS and FDRS application. Note that the MongoosePlus Ford is developed just for Ford and the CarDAQ Plus 3 can work with all major OEM's (you'll notice this reflected in their costs).

 

[New2EV]

I bought the Bosch Mastertech (version 1) off eBay, but that was before FDRS got popular and everyone confirmed the Mongoose would work ?.

Thanks for the info on the Mastertech. I ended up getting a used one and can also confirm it worked perfectly.

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