How to Activate a Ford IDS License
If you are a professional technician or a Ford enthusiast who wants to use the Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) software to diagnose and program Ford vehicles, you will need to activate a license on your IDS unit. A license is required for vehicle communication and allows you to access the full features of IDS. In this article, we will explain how to obtain and activate a Ford IDS license in simple steps.
What is Ford IDS?
Ford IDS is the official diagnostic and programming software for Ford vehicles. It allows you to perform various diagnostic tests, read and clear trouble codes, view live data, program keys, update modules, and more. Ford IDS works with a compatible vehicle communication interface (VCI), such as the VCM II or VCMM, that connects your PC to the vehicle’s OBD-II port.
How to Obtain a Ford IDS Activation Code?
To activate a Ford IDS license, you will need an activation code that is unique to your IDS unit. You can obtain an activation code from the Professional Technician Society (PTS) website, which is the official source of technical information and support for Ford vehicles. To access the PTS website, you will need a valid username and password that are provided by your dealership or authorized service provider.
Once you log in to the PTS website, follow these steps to get an activation code:
- Select the Rotunda tab and choose IDS Software Licensing from the dropdown list.
- An IDS Software Licenses screen will display a list of activation codes within your dealership or service provider. Each activation code can only be used once and expires after 30 days.
- Consult your dealership or service provider management for policies governing distribution of these activation codes.
- Copy or write down the activation code that you want to use for your IDS unit.
How to Activate a Ford IDS License Online?
If your IDS unit is connected to the internet, you can activate a Ford IDS license online by following these steps:
- Start the IDS software on your PC and select Software License from the Information Menu.
- An IDS Software – Activate a License screen will appear with two steps. In Step 1, you can obtain an activation code by following the instructions on the screen that are applicable to your market. If you already have an activation code from the PTS website, proceed directly to Step 2.
- In Step 2, select the Activate Production License button and enter the activation code in the screen below. Make sure you enter the code correctly and without spaces.
- IDS will communicate with the License Server online to complete the activation process. Follow any instructions on IDS, if prompted to do so.
- If the activation is successful, you will see a message that your license activated successfully. You can now use IDS for vehicle communication and programming.
- If there was a problem, such as an invalid or expired code, you will see an error message that explains what went wrong. You can try again with a different activation code or contact technical support for assistance.
How to Activate a Ford IDS License Offline?
If your IDS unit is not connected to the internet, you can activate a Ford IDS license offline by using a USB drive and another PC that has access to PTS. This process requires the manual transfer of files between IDS and the License Server via PTS. To activate a Ford IDS license offline, follow these steps:
- Start the IDS software on your PC and select Software License from the Information Menu.
- An IDS Software – Activate a License screen will appear with two steps. In Step 1, you can obtain an activation code by following the instructions on the screen that are applicable to your market. If you already have an activation code from the PTS website, proceed directly to Step 2.
- In Step 2, select the Activate Production License button and enter the activation code in the screen below. Make sure you enter the code correctly and without spaces.
- You will see a message that says you are unable to work online. Select the Off-line Activation button and read through the steps on the resulting screen.
- Select the Continue button and then select the Generate
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