[Carson Holmes]

As far as I know The Ford VCM II diagnostic tool is an original OEM scan tool that is compatible with the Ford IDS diagnostics application. When used with a PC, it is able to diagnose Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles with full dealer-level 16 pin OBD II diagnostic reprogramming capability.

This Ford VCM2 diagnostic tool comes pre-installed on a DELL D630 or Lenovo T410 Laptop, making it ready to use right out of the box. It provides full dealer diagnostic capabilities for most Ford 16 pin cars from 1996 to 2023, with the exception of 24v vehicles. Additionally, it is also compatible with some new 2023 vehicles, making it a versatile and comprehensive tool for diagnosing and reprogramming Ford vehicles.

 

[Carson Holmes]

Ford VCM 3 new tool to upgrade from VCM2

The Ford VCM3, a Bosch-based J2534 device, offers potential compatibility with GM's Techline Connect (TLC) for certain programming tasks, but users should be aware of its limitations. To utilize the VCM3 effectively, it's essential to install Ford’s VCI Manager on your laptop, allowing the tool to be recognized in TLC. Although the VCM3 supports CAN FD, stability issues have been reported, with some users successfully programming modules like telematics systems while encountering challenges with odometer learning and VIN reading. Compared to the more stable MDI2 or Cardaq+3 tools, the VCM3 is better suited for non-critical tasks. Users are advised to reserve the MDI2 for VIP vehicles and complex programming scenarios, while keeping a backup tool handy for enhanced reliability.