How to Solve VCM II cannot connect to PCM

Here are solutions and suggestion of VCM II and PCM connection failure.

Solution:

I reinstalled the firmware in recovery mode using Ford_VCM_II_Software_Setup_v2.1.119.3 from the BOSCH website.

I also updated IDS to version 95.05 and using a 3 day trial after upgrading from version 91.01. I reinstalled the BOSCH software again so IDS didn’t prompt me to update to the newer version of the software from September 2014 vs February 2014 (.3). (As I think this is what caused my issue of no communication in the first place)

I did all of this in a VMWare Workstation 10 image of Windows 7 that I created and made a backup copy of the image in case I mess the image up. I probably won’t use it much anyways as it is just for my personal use on my own car.

It seems to be working great, reads my vehicle now, cleared DTC codes, I even updated 8 modules in my 2014 vehicle after downloading the calibration files with no crashes or errors.

If only there was a way to not have to deal with the 3 day trial nonsense without spending $700. Also I wonder if it will work with IDS version 96.01 which is due out on the 24th.

Anyways it was a good investment.

I have my genuine Drew Technologies Mongoose Pro Ford (PWM) J2534 programmer, which can only program some modules like the PCM… It only supports CAN Bus (capable of ISO 15765, GMLAN, and ISO14229), J1850PWM / SCP, and ISO9141 / KWP2000… It is nice the clone VCM2 can read modules on the other, two out of three, CAN networks newer Ford vehicles use such as Medium Speed CAN.

 

Suggestion:

If you have VCM II wifi clone and want to keep it , use the version you used v2.1.119.3, if you have good quality none wifi version you can use v2.1.119.13 or you can use this version if you have wifi and don’t bother about it .

to be honest , I did not see much change in ETAS version to version from v2.1.119.3 except only to try and block clones..

When you install the version 96.01, you need to go to the Program files, ford motor company , IDS, Runtime , Install 3rd party

you can delete the etas folder and start your update, then wait for the etas folder to appear during install and delete it again

you will see an error about missing ETAS Folder and it will ask you to install vcmII Software at the end , just click red x in top right corner and reboot computer . or you can just goto programs and setting in control and uninstall the last version v2.1.119.19 and reinstall your version v2.1.119.3

the simple and most east way to keep the 3 day license, is when you installed IDS and got the three days, remember date and time, every time you boot computer go to bios and make that date and boot computer.

 

Have fun!

Good luck.