[wreedsvt]

This is all you need to run Forscan. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lenovo-Thi...sh=item2ac6ea84f2:g:hsIAAOSwsrBchu~j&LH_BIN=1

 

[kdjasper]

@kdjasper - if you don't mind my asking, what did each of the licenses cost you?

I have had my MacBook Pro for over 3 years now, and looking back at my Amazon Order History here are some links:

Windows 10 is $129.99 --> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01019BM7O/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Parallels Desktop 14 for Mac is $56.98 -->
https://www.amazon.com/Parallels-Desktop-14-for-Mac/dp/B07GJYWS54/ref=asc_df_B07GJYWS54/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312346638708&hvpos=1o4&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12041348911284261220&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019555&hvtargid=aud-836408683912la-568911283829&psc=1

@wreedsvt is presenting a lower cost option to you.

The techie side of me likes to have fun with the approach I took.

 

[kdjasper]

@jmperlik & @wreedsvt thanks for the above posts guys. I used FORScan tonight to add Operator Commanded Regen to my truck. I took a bunch of photos of all the before and after, and will try to find time to post them soon.

This was my first FORScan mod in almost a couple months, so my 2-month trial license of FORScan had expired and I also noticed I was a couple versions back. FORScan licensing can now be purchased, and I love having this software and control over my truck, so I purchased the "Lifelong Extended License" for $50--I look at this two ways: 1) never have to hassle with getting another trial license code, and 2) the person/team developing this software for our use deserves to have some financial support to keep doing what they are doing for us. (By the way the other pay for licensing options are: 1 year $10, 3 years $20, 5 years $30).

I was at 95% DPF Full when I made the mod, but didn't have the courage to exercise and test the mod with this regen, but I plan to play around prior to the next regen. The main reason I implemented the mod is to allow me to prevent a regen if one is just about to happen and not complete before I reach my destination (e.g., home); which is one item dampening my love for the truck, so hopefully this mod will put me in control of this rather than it in control of me (i.e., driving past my destination intentionally to trigger or complete a regen). Of course one could delete their truck as an alternative, and maybe that is something I will do once others post their experiences with doing that.

I'll add more to this thread when I find some more time in the next day or so. Right now I need to get a few hours of sleep.

 

[kdjasper]

Here are the detailed instructions for adding Operator Commanded Regen (OCR) to your F150 Diesel:

1. Ensure FORScan version 2.3.16 or later ("Extended License" or 2-month trial "Extended License")
2. *DO NOT change the as built*data*(as noted in the FORScan google spreadsheet for Super Duty)
3. Use IPC module to change Auto Regen checkbox to appear in instrument*panel
- see below attached photo: "IPC_Automatic Regeneration Control_Change Confirmation.JPG"
- see below attached photo: "Auto Regen Displayed in Settings.JPG"
4. Use PCM module to select option #3 under DPF manual regen
- see below attached photo: "PCM_DPF Manual Regeneration_Change Options.JPG"
- see below attached photo: "PCM_DPF Manual Regeneration_Change Confirmation.JPG"

Above sourced from -->
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1549391-completely-turned-on-operator-commanded-regen-in-forscan.html


Below sourced from -->
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/showpost.php?p=18111941&postcount=18

A. Un-checking the Auto Regen box prevents an*automatic*regen from starting when the filter gets full. You do get a warning when it gets full (I intend to capture and post a photo of this from my next regen cycle).
B. Un-checking the Auto Regen box while an automatic regen is currently running will*stop*the auto regen immediately.
C. Checking the box when the filter is full won't necessarily start an auto regen right away, but one will likely begin in the next 0-15 minutes. It simply allows the truck to go into regen if all other criteria are met, it doesn't force it into it.
D. This can't be used to force start a regen while moving.
E. This can't be used to start a regen with a filter at less than 100% Full.
F. Activating this with IDS/FORScan does also give you the option to initiate a manual regen when the filter is full, but only in park.

In a nutshell, this gives you the 'Operator Commanded Regen' (OCR) option that Ford offers on XLT and below fleet trucks, plus the ability to enable and disable the auto regen. The only real benefit here, aside from the manual regen while in park (see above video posted by @jmperlik), is the ability to prevent an auto regen from starting if you're close to your*destination (point A above).


I'll post some more photos once I have more time and courage to play with the Auto Regen checkbox.

 

[jmperlik]

@kdjasper - a big THANK YOU to you for researching, implementing, and verifying all of this = I am ordering my Windows 10 laptop today and will also order the lifetime FORScan license, as all of this is kinda driving me a bit nutso not knowing exactly where I am WRT DFP full % (Sorry, I do Performance Analysis and Testing for a living, so my job revolves around measuring metrics/data and analyzing spreadsheets, so all of this FORScan data is right up my alley)

 

[Bullseye]

Here are the detailed instructions for adding Operator Commanded Regen (OCR) to your F150 Diesel:

1. Ensure FORScan version 2.3.16 or later ("Extended License" or 2-month trial "Extended License")
2. *DO NOT change the as built*data*(as noted in the FORScan google spreadsheet for Super Duty)
3. Use IPC module to change Auto Regen checkbox to appear in instrument*panel
- see below attached photo: "IPC_Automatic Regeneration Control_Change Confirmation.JPG"
- see below attached photo: "Auto Regen Displayed in Settings.JPG"
4. Use PCM module to select option #3 under DPF manual regen
- see below attached photo: "PCM_DPF Manual Regeneration_Change Options.JPG"
- see below attached photo: "PCM_DPF Manual Regeneration_Change Confirmation.JPG"

A. Un-checking the Auto Regen box prevents an*automatic*regen from starting when the filter gets full. You do get a warning when it gets full (I intend to capture and post a photo of this from my next regen cycle).
B. Un-checking the Auto Regen box while an automatic regen is currently running will*stop*the auto regen immediately.
C. Checking the box when the filter is full won't necessarily start an auto regen right away, but one will likely begin in the next 0-15 minutes. It simply allows the truck to go into regen if all other criteria are met, it doesn't force it into it.
D. This can't be used to force start a regen while moving.
E. This can't be used to start a regen with a filter at less than 100% Full.
F. Activating this with IDS/FORScan does also give you the option to initiate a manual regen when the filter is full, but only in park.

In a nutshell, this gives you the 'Operator Commanded Regen' (OCR) option that Ford offers on XLT and below fleet trucks, plus the ability to enable and disable the auto regen. The only real benefit here, aside from the manual regen while in park (see above video posted by ), is the ability to prevent an auto regen from starting if you're close to your*destination (point A above).


I'll post some more photos once I have more time and courage to play with the Auto Regen checkbox.

Just wanted to thank you for this, I added it to my truck as well. Not that I'll ever really use it but it's nice to have the feature.. Ford should have given it to us from the factory. I digress.



To the OP, best of luck in getting it sorted. I have noticed I go through a full regen about every 500 miles since I enabled the filter status using forscan. One tank of DEF is good for ~7000 miles or has seemed to be that way for my truck.


PS had to delete any links from the above quote because it wouldn't let me submit this otherwise.. I guess it's because I'm new here?

 

[kdjasper]

@jmperlik yeah, sounds right up your alley, and you will really enjoy being empowered with it!

It is up my alley as well, as I used to be a computer programmer what seems a lifetime ago and gradually migrated from application development over to infrastructure engineering and then on to architecture 10 years ago and now have the role of IT Enterprise Infrastructure Architect. So, playing with FORScan brings me back in time, makes me feel 25-30 years younger, and gives me something fun to do with the truck besides driving it. Also, it's fun to tell others that I have the know how and reprogram my truck to my liking.

 

[fharrison]

If you tow, the def barely lasts 3-4 thousand miles.

 

[kdjasper]

I noticed I had reached 85% DPF Full status driving home today, and I have seen my truck auto regen as soon as 85% Full, so decided to uncheck the Auto Regen box in the Settings screen to prevent a regen from starting before I got home. Attached below are the photos I took illustrating what happened on the display after disabling Auto Regen.

I shut down the truck, and restarted it, and was prompted again with the message "Auto Exhaust Cleaning OFF" so this will need to get acknowledged every time starting the truck when Auto Regen is disabled.

My next trip with the truck will be longer highway miles, so will probably reenable Auto Regen before leaving home.

 

[wreedsvt]

I noticed I had reached 85% DPF Full status driving home today, and I have seen my truck auto regen as soon as 85% Full, so decided to uncheck the Auto Regen box in the Settings screen to prevent a regen from starting before I got home. Attached below are the photos I took illustrating what happened on the display after disabling Auto Regen.

I shut down the truck, and restarted it, and was prompted again with the message "Auto Exhaust Cleaning OFF" so this will need to get acknowledged every time starting the truck when Auto Regen is disabled.

My next trip with the truck will be longer highway miles, so will probably reenable Auto Regen before leaving home.

Very cool it works!

 

[kdjasper]

I have a follow-on update to my experimentation with Operator Commanded Regen (OCR) enabled via FORScan...

I drove a couple buddies a fairly long distance to play poker at a cards casino tonight. I left the driveway at just changing to 90% DPF Full, and when we just pulled into the parking lot after ~37 miles of highway driving I just went up to 95%, so before I shut the truck down I checked the Auto Regen box so that we could get an active regen on the drive home. Well, I was still at 95% with < 15 miles until I was going to be dropping off one of my buddies at his house, so I went into Settings and deselected Auto Regen as I was no longer wanting to have an active regen start at that point of the trip. Within 5 miles down the road and I had a message pop up on the screen "Exhaust Filter Full Clean Soon"--see first two attached photos below.

I proceeded to drop off my two buddies, and then decided to keep the experiment going and head back to the highway. I had traveled 24.2 miles after the Exhaust Filter Full message displayed before entering the freeway on ramp, where I checked the Auto Regen box in Settings as I proceeded down the ramp to the interstate.

Less than 5 miles on the interstate and the active regen was underway and displaying 95% Full, and began doing the typical 5% increment drops until ~19 miles into it the drop stabilized at 10% Full, and I got home and parked in the garage at 10% Full ~25 miles after I reached 10% Full. My Fuel History graph for last 30 mins revealed 20 mpg ~24 mins ago, which corresponded to when the regen appears to have stopped at 10% Full. MPG's in the 24 mins after the regen averaged 28 mpg.

I've attached a bunch of photos sequencing this out (take note of the odometer readings). The good news is that OCR appears to be working on our F150 diesels (well, I have yet to try a manual regen with the parking brake on, and likely will never have a reason to do this).

I have seen where the next start up of the truck after letting it sit for a while after an active regen often times shows lower % Full, so I will observe that in the morning and report back on that.

 

[kdjasper]

Just providing an update on my last post. I drove my truck today, and it started where I left off last night at 10% Full and starting incrementing up from there, so that active regen I enabled last night bottomed out at 10% Full. I intend to try to have this next active regen happen without OCR Auto Regen setting intervention to see the regen get down to 0% Full. I will report back once I have this info to share within a week or so.

 

[wreedsvt]

Very cool! I might enable on mine.

I have seen my filter get down to 0% but most of the time I see it stop at 5-10% and start incrementing from there.

 

[kdjasper]

@wreedsvt thanks for sharing that your regens often bottom out at 5-10%, that gives me piece of mind. I'm sure not all mine have bottomed out at 0%, since I haven't been logging the bottom out in my head. I know that I often do see mine get down to 0% though.

 

[wreedsvt]

I have also noticed the gauge is slow, I have cut it off middle regen say at 50%, and turned it right back on(ran into a gas station or something), and after restart its at 40%.

Just like the fuel gauge, etc, its slow to change/update its value.

 

[Laytunes]

Is forscan the only way to enable the DPF filter % and auto regen options? or would a dealership enable it for you if you ask them?

Secondly will any OBD2 to usb/bluetooth connector work? and can you do this from the forscan app on a phone or do you need to use the full computer program?

Thanks!

 

[wreedsvt]

Dealer should be able to do it, depends on the knowledge of the dealer and tech.

Yes any one should work, just make sure its high quality. You must use Windows to write to the modules with Forscan.

 

[jmperlik]

@Laytunes - you can also review this thread for more details: FORScan adapter recommendations?

You can ask your dealer, but I highly doubt they will accommodate your request, hence why my "new" used Windows 10 laptop is on its way to me this week....

 

[Laytunes]

Thanks, I spoke to the guy that sold me the truck, who spoke to their diesel mechanic, who said yes they can turn on the DPF filter % for me. So I drop it off tomorrow to get that done. I will let you guys know how it all turns out having it done at the dealership.

 

[jmperlik]

Some updates, observations, and theories from me on this DPF Auto-regen topic:

• I received my "new" used Lenovo Carbon X1 laptop about 2 weeks ago
• I purchased a Lifetime FORScan "full" license (I work in software also believe it is the right thing to do to support the developer anyway I can)
• I have implemented the FORScan mods documented in my signature
• I have implemented Operator Commanded Regeneration (OCR) FORSCAN mod but have yet to initiate a manual OCR
• I have been closely monitoring my DPF Full % and how my driving patterns affect it

My DPF Full % experiences observed over the last 3 weekends since being FORScan-enabled:

• Two weekends ago after doing some shopping, I was at 90% DPF full and about 5 miles from the closest Interstate. By the time I got to the interstate, I was at 100% full and watched it drop down in the 5% increments until it got to 0%. I drove a little too far before turning around so I climbed back up to 20% before getting home.
• Last weekend ago after a car wash, I noticed I was at 85% full, so I figured I'd try the same trip to "blow things out" again. I only got up to 90% Full before getting on the Interstate and I drove 30 miles without every making it 100% DPF full, so I never started a DPF regen. Stopped for dinner and drove 30 miles back and never hit 100% Full, so no regen again? Is this what "passive" (operating at high enough temperature that active regen not required) regen is?
• Two days later on my 15 minute 1-way commute into work, I noticed I started a regen about halfway thru my commute and only got down to only 70% by the time I got to work, where I turned my truck off and opened the door to hear the DPF ticking as I walked away.
• Again last week after a car wash, I was at 90% so figured I'd try my "blowout route" one more time. I jumped from 95% Full to DPF Full message (no %) just as I was getting onto the Interstate. I went thru a normal decrementing 5% regen over 20 miles/minutes and turned around to head home (didn't go as far as I did the first time above)

After closely watching my DPF Full %, I seem to be requiring DPF regen far more often than the 325 mile range @kdjasper has reported earlier (don't have a good explanation for this...)

My Personal DPF Full % "Rules-Of-Thumb" developed over the past 4 weeks:

1. Without enabling DPF % Full via FORSCAN, owners have no idea what is going on/when you need to regen
2. DPF Auto-regen will not start unless you are very near to or at 100% Full or on DPF Full screen (I haven't seen any start earlier than 100% as @kdjasper has)
3. You will start a regen if you are at DPF Full and reach the necessary operating temperatures but regen will stop pre-maturely (this is a "Partial" regen) if these conditions change
4. If you never complete a full regen cycle (all the way down to 0% Full), you will be in a Partial DPF regen "death spiral" = more frequent regens due to hittign 100% DPF Full

Based on all of the above, here are my theories on pontential side effects of these "Partial" DPF regens could be:

• I think what was happening before I was FORScan-enabled, I was never making it thru a full regen cycle regularly:
  
  • Since I only have a 15 minute 1-way commute, I would start a regen when I hit 100% full and always end up with a partial regen (need 20 "good" miles w/right conditions)
  • I have probably been operating in a consistent 70% to 95% DPF Full state for most of this oil change
  • This is exactly what my fear was (based on my driving routine/commute) and the reason why I bought my ODB adadpter + FORScan
• I'm guessing that DPF Full % is calculated by measuring the pressure differential before and after the Diesel Particulate Filter via sensors
  
  • I need to verify these metrics exist in FORScan
  • My Service Manager comfirm this is how they calculate DPF Full %
• If I am always running in a "near full" DPF state, I believe that this DPF near full condition is causing extra exhaust back pressure back into the engine (forcing more soot past rings)
• My theory is that Average DPF Regen Cycle Start % (what DPF Full % you start at) is tracked and used as one of the inputs in the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) calculations
• I believe that my ~21 MPG average is due to my driving patterns + near DPF Full condition, while my MPG "records" are highway miles where I start at 0% DPF Full after a full regen

My guess is that @kdjasper's weekly 37 mile 1-way trip on Monday nights is providing the perfect therapeutic duty cycle for his DPF, hence why he's tracking to a 10K oil change interval.
=> I have no hard evidence this theory, but this is my first attempt at trying to postulate what could be causing the difference in oil change intervals for some of us here on the forums

My "Jerry Springer Final Thoughts" on DPF Full % and "Partial" regens:
=> I think the DPF system on our F150s are on a much smaller scale than our HD brethren requiring much more frequent DPF regen cycles
=> I think Ford should enable DPF Full % on the instrument cluster by default, as everyone who hasn't FORScan-enabled this are flying completely blind WRT to DPF Full %
=> I also think Ford should be exposing OCR (Operator Commanded Regen) for those owners who don't do a lot of highway driving
=> I may start using manual OCRs in the parking lot at work to prevent my Partial DPF regen "death spiral" and to see if they help improve my shorter-than-expected oil change intervals
=> My prediction is that the #1 ownership issue for F150 PS Diesel owners will be issues surrounding blocked/clogged DPFs with vehicles dropping into "limp mode" because owners have no OCR capability

I will continue to monitor this closely to prove/disprove my theory and report back.