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Establishing An IDS Session

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2016 Ford Expedition. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

General Procedure 

  1. 1.

    Establish a diagnostic scan tool session.

  1. 2.

    NOTE: For vehicles with push-button start, refer to Descripton and Operation in Steering Column Switches .

    Turn ignition to RUN.

  1. 3.

    The diagnostic scan tool first attempts to communicate with the PCM. After establishing communication with the PCM, the diagnostic scan tool then attempts to communicate with all other modules on the vehicle.

  1. 4.

    If an IDS session cannot be established with the vehicle, IDS may state "No communication can be established with the PCM."

  1. 5.

    Choose "NO" when the diagnostic scan tool prompts whether or not to retry communication.

  1. 6.

    Enter either a PCM part number, tear tag or calibration number to identify the vehicle and start a session. The PCM part number and 4-character tear tag number are printed on the PCM label. If the PCM part number or tear tag number cannot be found, double-click on the VIN in the upper RH corner of the PTS screen. The tear tag number is listed on the Detailed Vehicle Specification.

  1. 7.

    If the diagnostic scan tool cannot communicate with the vehicle after manually entering the PCM part number, diagnose the PCM does not respond to the diagnostic scan tool. Refer to Communications Network  .
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