As-Built Hacker software

[Big Blue]

Decided to start a new thread on this as I haven't seen it mentioned on this forum. I ran across a Windows program written by a member of the F150 forum called As-Built Hacker. Don't know if anyone here has seen it or tried it. It is kind of cool in that it takes you .abt files that you saved in Forscan and can compare it to the .ab file from Ford, so you can see what changes have been made. It will also compared your .abt files against a known list of options for Your Vehicle. There are a couple configuration files it uses to decode your VIN and select the options for your truck model and year. Currently the files that come with the download only go up to MY2018 and have the options for Gen 13 F150s. I am working on updating the VIN decode file to include our Rangers and creating the configuration file for our Rangers options. As of yet I haven't been able to connect with the developer to compare notes/thoughts. the program currently asks you to create a FORD ETIS account to download information on your truck. This means you need to tell Ford you are an independent operator of a repair shop to get access. I want to ask if this is necessary or if we can somehow use the .ab we can download from Ford Service. Also, what extra info ETIS gives us, like maybe info on build packages and such. I'll keep this thread updated with what I find out. Also trying to find out if anyone has done this for other Ford models (Mustang, Fusion, etc).

Here is where I could you your help. My truck is an MY2019 XLT FX4 with Sport appearance, Pkg 302A, E-Locker, and tow package. I have documented the modules that show up in my Forscan listing. I am pretty sure that depending on what model and package combination you have you may have more or less than I do. I have attached a spreadsheet that shows the module that Forscan finds on my truck. If you who have Forscan could check your truck and compare and PM me with what you have along with your trucks MY, trim level, 2 or 4 wheel and packages. Also if you don't mind at least the first 11 characters of your VIN. The last 6 are a serial number and are not needed. I promise I won't try to hijack your truck.

Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to get this out there. Post back if there is interest and maybe help with documenting the modules I don't have. Right now I'm working on the configuration menu selections I see in my Forscan. I kind of sunk my teeth into this Forscan thing and want to know what we can do to our Rangers. It's the engineer thing in me, inquiring minds, you know the rest. Hopefully this may help others. It gives me something to do during this COVID thing. Need to keep my 67 year old mind active.

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[RCMUSTANG]

I wish someone would figure out the turn signal flash count change..

 

[GrandpaD]

I wish someone would figure out the turn signal flash count change..

I am just learning the ins and outs of FORScan...so I'm not sure if this would apply. The post is from 2017 so it might be Sync 2. Here's a post from the FORScan forums that has some addresses to change the number of blinks. FYI I haven't tried them myself.

Edit - Here's a video from 9/2018

 

[Big Blue]

I wish someone would figure out the turn signal flash count change..

You and me both. Now I find out it doesn't add with the trailer connected either.?

 

[Big Blue]

I am just learning the ins and outs of FORScan...so I'm not sure if this would apply. The post is from 2017 so it might be Sync 2. Here's a post from the FORScan forums that has some addresses to change the number of blinks. FYI I haven't tried them myself.

Edit - Here's a video from 9/2018

That's the location I've tried and it doesn't work on our Rangers. I need to try 0 and 1 and see if it affects OUC (On Until Cancel) , That may or may not work either. It might be something Ford took away. Kind of a search for the Holy Grail along with the Fake Engine Sound.

 

[GrandpaD]

That's the location I've tried and it doesn't work on our Rangers. I need to try 0 and 1 and see if it affects OUC (On Until Cancel) , That may or may not work either. It might be something Ford took away. Kind of a search for the Holy Grail along with the Fake Engine Sound.

I saw the same codes for the '19 Mustang. Must be some overseas code.

 

[RCMUSTANG]

I've tried every combo you can with the location known for other standard Ford's. Nothing works which means they moved to to another location. That's the mystery.

 

[r1ch999999]

Just be careful, a recent recall on, I think the F150, showed me that the code they use isn't tested that well, changing one thing might make something else go haywire that is using the wrong memory location.

 

[Big Blue]

Just be careful, a recent recall on, I think the F150, showed me that the code they use isn't tested that well, changing one thing might make something else go haywire that is using the wrong memory location.

Your very right, Rich. Some single locations control the on off status for as many as three or four different options. The correct entry tends to be the hex sum of the individual selections. Conversely some single options use as many as four memory locations. Country code in APIM is one. An extreme example is the VIN entry in a few modules taking up 34 memory locations. I wouldn't mess with them. ? With the added Splash Screens in 3.4 that selection now uses two memory locations for that one option. It can be very confusing and somewhat dangerous.

The fun is in the hunt!

 

[Porpoise Hork]

I wish someone would figure out the turn signal flash count change..

Just curious about why anyone wants to change this?

The last several cars I have had (2 VW's and a Hyundai), Ranger included had the courtesy blink feature that only flashed three times and I have never felt it needed it to be more than that.

Everything I have read about the courtesy flash system is it's to alert other drivers of your intent to initiate a lane change. Then a full signal is to be used when making the change or turn. I like most people don't use it in that manner. Instead use it to make the lane change, but I only use it when in light to moderate traffic. In heavy traffic three flashes is seldom enough, because that doofus riding next to me just inside the BLISS range will either ignore the 3 flashes or hammer the gas the second I start coming over. Because Gods forbid he/she would ever dream of letting someone change lanes in front of them when they have 4-5 car lengths between them and the next car...

 

[Big Blue]

Just curious about why anyone wants to change this?

The last several cars I have had (2 VW's and a Hyundai), Ranger included had the courtesy blink feature that only flashed three times and I have never felt it needed it to be more than that.

Everything I have read about the courtesy flash system is it's to alert other drivers of your intent to initiate a lane change. Then a full signal is to be used when making the change or turn. I like most people don't use it in that manner. Instead use it to make the lane change, but I only use it when in light to moderate traffic. In heavy traffic three flashes is seldom enough, because that doofus riding next to me just inside the BLISS range will either ignore the 3 flashes or hammer the gas the second I start coming over. Because Gods forbid he/she would ever dream of letting someone change lanes in front of them when they have 4-5 car lengths between them and the next car...

I guess it it a personal thing, bugs some people and not others. Maybe it because some other Fords have the capability and we don't. Why did Ford take it away?

 

[RCMUSTANG]

Just curious about why anyone wants to change this?

The last several cars I have had (2 VW's and a Hyundai), Ranger included had the courtesy blink feature that only flashed three times and I have never felt it needed it to be more than that.

Everything I have read about the courtesy flash system is it's to alert other drivers of your intent to initiate a lane change. Then a full signal is to be used when making the change or turn. I like most people don't use it in that manner. Instead use it to make the lane change, but I only use it when in light to moderate traffic. In heavy traffic three flashes is seldom enough, because that doofus riding next to me just inside the BLISS range will either ignore the 3 flashes or hammer the gas the second I start coming over. Because Gods forbid he/she would ever dream of letting someone change lanes in front of them when they have 4-5 car lengths between them and the next car...

Because I don't do Nascar lane changes. 4 is what I like.

 

[THLONE]

What is so hard to turn on turn signal and when you have safely changed lanes then turn them off.? I have driven a trailer all over the US and I know how You NASCAR wannabees hate to follow or let me change lanes. I want to let you go faster to the next light cause I dont want to be around your bad driving. So hurry it up and waste your fuel so you can be in the front row. I personally want to social distance from you. ?

 

[Porpoise Hork]

I guess it it a personal thing, bugs some people and not others. Maybe it because some other Fords have the capability and we don't. Why did Ford take it away?

I figure either it's been moved to another module code, or they decided to remove it because they needed that module for something else.

 

[Big Blue]

Hadn't really intended to start a thread on the courtesy flashes, but seems to still be a hot topic for some people. My original intent was to bring up the software that the F150 guy developed and if there was any interest in developing the configuration files for our Rangers. That appears to not be the case, at least up until now. I have received one response on my request for modes and VIN info.

So, in the meantime I will continue to work on documenting my modules and satisfy my curiosity. I'll post a link to the software install and monitor this thread to watch for any interest.

As far as the courtesy flashes go, if he wants four flashes why can't he have four flashes?

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