Ford Focus vehicles, like many modern cars, come with a wealth of customizable features that are often locked or disabled from the factory. Fortunately, with the right tools and software, you can tap into your car’s onboard computer system to unlock these hidden functionalities and personalize your driving experience. This guide will walk you through using Ford Focus Obd2 Software to access and modify your vehicle’s settings, focusing on popular customizations and essential procedures.
To get started with Ford Focus OBD2 software modifications, you’ll need a few key components. First and foremost, an OBD2 adapter is crucial. This device acts as the bridge between your car’s computer and your laptop. For Ford Focus models, it’s essential to choose an adapter that supports the High-Speed CAN bus (HS-CAN) network, which is the primary communication protocol used in these vehicles. While some adapters also support the Medium Speed CAN bus (MS-CAN), HS-CAN capability is non-negotiable for accessing the modules we’ll be working with. Popular and reliable options include the OBDLink MX and various ELM327 adapters. For Bluetooth connectivity, ensure you have a compatible Bluetooth adapter for your laptop as well.
Alongside the hardware, you’ll need specific Ford Focus OBD2 software. Two programs are indispensable for this task: FORScan and Focccus.
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FORScan: This is a powerful, free software tool specifically designed for Ford vehicles. It allows you to diagnose your car, read and clear Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), access live data, and perform service procedures. Importantly, FORScan is vital for clearing DTCs that may arise during the modification process. You can download FORScan from the official website: Download FORScan.
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Focccus App: This application is the key to unlocking hidden features. The Focccus app includes an “as-built editor,” which allows you to directly modify your car’s configuration files. This is where the magic happens for enabling features like global window control and other customizations. You can find the Focccus App and As-Built Editor within the Ford Tools package provided by xGloooM from ffclub.ru: Ford Tools by xGloooM from ffclub.ru.
Once you have gathered the necessary hardware and software, you’re ready to begin. A common and popular modification is enabling global window control, which allows you to open and close all windows simultaneously using your key fob. Let’s walk through the steps to achieve this:
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Prepare the As-Built Editor: Navigate to the Ford Tools website and open the As-Built Editor.
Alt text: Screenshot of the Ford As-Built Editor interface showing a field to enter VIN number.
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Download Your Car’s Configuration: Enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into the designated field within the As-Built Editor and click “download from ETIS.” This action retrieves your car’s original configuration data from Ford’s servers.
Alt text: Screenshot showing successful download of configuration data from ETIS after VIN entry.
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Locate Block 184: Within the As-Built Editor, navigate to block number 184. This block contains the settings related to global window control.
Alt text: Screenshot highlighting block number 184 within the Ford As-Built Editor interface.
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Modify Global Window Setting: Click the dropdown box associated with block 184 and select either “option 02” or “option 03.” Both options are known to enable global window functionality (though neither typically controls the sunroof).
Alt text: Screenshot showing dropdown menu options 02 and 03 for modifying block 184 settings.
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Create XML Configuration File: After modifying the setting, scroll back to the top of the As-Built Editor and click “Make XML.” This generates a new XML configuration file containing your changes.
Alt text: Screenshot emphasizing the “Make XML” button to generate the modified configuration file.
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Save the XML File: Your computer will prompt you to save the newly created XML file. Choose a location on your computer that you can easily access. The filename is not critical.
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Connect to Your Car with Focccus App: Go to your Ford Focus, ensure it is in accessory mode (key on, engine off – KOEO), and plug in your OBD2 adapter. Open the Focccus app on your laptop. If you are using an OBDLink MX adapter, configure your connection settings within Focccus accordingly. The COM port setting will depend on your specific computer’s Bluetooth configuration.
Alt text: Screenshot of Focccus app connection settings, highlighting OBDLink MX and COM port configuration.
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Open Connection in Focccus: Click “Open” in the Focccus app to establish a connection with your car’s computer. The Focccus app interface will then load.
Alt text: Screenshot of the main Focccus app interface after successful connection to the vehicle.
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Load Configuration from XML File: Within the Focccus app, click “Load from file” and browse to the location where you saved the XML configuration file you created earlier. Select the file and click “Open.” The Focccus app will then load the modified configuration.
Alt text: Screenshot of Focccus app after loading modified XML configuration file, showing updated settings.
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Verify Settings: Scroll down to block 184 within the Focccus app to confirm that the global open settings are correctly reflected from your XML file.
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Write Configuration to Car: If everything is verified and looks correct, click the “Write” button in the Focccus app.
Alt text: Screenshot emphasizing the “Write” button in the Focccus app to initiate configuration writing to the vehicle.
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Wait for Write Procedure: A message will appear indicating the start of the write procedure. Do not turn off the car or press any buttons during this process. A green progress bar will move from left to right, typically taking around 7-8 seconds to reach 100%. The car’s lights may turn off and then back on during this process – this is normal. Once completed, a “write successful” message will be displayed.
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Verify Functionality: After the write is successful, wait for about 30 seconds before turning off the car. Then, turn the car back on to verify the changes have been applied. Test the global window feature by exiting the car and pressing and holding the lock button on your key fob for approximately 5 seconds. The windows should now roll up. The same procedure, using the unlock button, should roll the windows down.
Beyond global windows, Ford Focus OBD2 software can unlock other interesting features. Depending on your model and factory options, you might be able to enable or disable functionalities like:
- Shift Light Removal: For models where it’s not desired.
- Aftermarket HID Headlights Configuration: To ensure proper operation and avoid errors.
- Hill Start Assist: Adding this feature to non-ST models.
- EcoScout Display: Enabling the fuel efficiency display.
- Windshield Wiper Motor Calibration: For optimal wiper performance.
- Cruise Control: In some cases, adding OEM cruise control to Ford Focus SE models with Sync.
Important Considerations and Troubleshooting:
- DTCs are Normal: During the process of reading and writing configurations, you will likely generate a number of Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). This is expected and not a cause for concern. Use FORScan to read and clear these DTCs after you have completed your modifications.
- Reliable OBD2 Adapter: Using a high-quality and compatible OBD2 adapter is crucial for a successful and safe modification process. Avoid cheap, unreliable adapters that may cause communication issues or even damage your car’s electronics.
- Battery Voltage: Ensure your car’s battery voltage is stable throughout the process. Low voltage can interrupt the writing process and lead to errors. It’s advisable to have the engine running or use a battery maintainer if you are making extensive changes.
- Take Precautions: Always double-check your settings before writing them to the car. Incorrect modifications could potentially lead to unexpected behavior or issues. Modify settings at your own risk and ensure you understand the changes you are making.
In conclusion, using Ford Focus OBD2 software like FORScan and Focccus opens up a world of customization and diagnostic possibilities for your vehicle. By following these steps and taking necessary precautions, you can personalize your Ford Focus and unlock features that enhance your driving experience. Remember to always proceed with caution and consult reliable resources before making any modifications to your car’s computer system.