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Showing numbers above temp gauges
It bothered me that Ford didn’t display the actual temperature reading above the gauges.  The “miles to empty” was there but not the temperature.  Of coarse you could always press buttons on the steering wheel and navigate to where it did give you the actual readings, but that tends to take your focus away from driving.  So today I hooked up my OBD2 USB adapter for FORScan and after some Google searches, I added the temperature reading above the gauges.  Below are before and after pics of the instrument cluster.

- John
John & Cathy enjoying life with our 2021 Mid-Bath, 1996 Cherokee and “Bandit” the wonder dog 🐶
Re: Showing numbers above temp gauges
Reply #1 –
What a great tip! I'm on it.
jor
09 27' MB
10  Suby Forester
Re: Showing numbers above temp gauges
Reply #2 –
Quote from: jor  - 
What a great tip! I'm on it.
jor

Jor,

One oddity I should mention… When I searched and found the FORScan spreadsheet for my Ford model/year, it give me 3 different codes to use.  The codes are based on if you have a Ford installed trailer brake module and if you have a turbo.  I of course don’t have either, but I did try all 3 codes.  2 of the codes gave a check sum error, the 3rd code worked but then the instrument panel displayed a “Trailer Brake Module Error”.  This was odd since I don’t have a Ford installed trailer brake module.  Anyway, I then went to the trailer brake module setting in FORScan and saw that the module was enabled.  I disabled the module and the error went away.  I’m guessing that Ford enables the trailer brake module by default just in case one is installed on your rig.

- John



John & Cathy enjoying life with our 2021 Mid-Bath, 1996 Cherokee and “Bandit” the wonder dog 🐶
Re: Showing numbers above temp gauges
Reply #3 –
Quote
OBD2 USB adapter for FORScan

Thanks. That will save me some confusion! One thing. I see the OBD2 USB adapter for FORScan on Amazon for like 20-35 bucks. Is this what I need? I've got a regular OBDII that I've had for years. Thanks.
jor
09 27' MB
10  Suby Forester
Re: Showing numbers above temp gauges
Reply #4 –
Quote from: jor  - 
Thanks. That will save me some confusion! One thing. I see the OBD2 USB adapter for FORScan on Amazon for like 20-35 bucks. Is this what I need? I've got a regular OBDII that I've had for years. Thanks.
jor

Jor,

The one I bought was the Vgate vLinker FS OBD2 USB Adapter for FORScan from Amazon for just under $35.  It was one of the OBD2 adapters recommended by forscan.org.  Go to the FORScan “Products” page and download the latest Windows version of their software (currently v2.3.48) and also follow the “Get Free Extended License” link.  You must use the Windows version and the extended license to make any programming changes.  If you get the same OBD2 adapter that I got, be sure to install the driver that’s listed in the adapter instructions.

With all that said, I believe your 2009 may not be able to add the temps to the gauges.  FORScan has 2 program and control menus for IPC (Instrument Panel Cluster).  One is just called “IPC” and in there are things in plain english that you can change.  The other menu is called “IPC (AS BUILT format)” and for this you need a spreadsheet to decipher what codes to change.  The closest spreadsheet to your model/year I could find was FORScan 2009-2014 F150s and it did not have a code to add temps to gauges.  You may get lucky and find the setting under the IPC menu or maybe you’ll have better luck finding a spreadsheet for your model/year… sorry I couldn’t be more help.

Important: If you do go forward with FORScan, be sure to make a backup of your Ford settings first.

- John
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
John & Cathy enjoying life with our 2021 Mid-Bath, 1996 Cherokee and “Bandit” the wonder dog 🐶
Re: Showing numbers above temp gauges
Reply #5 –
Quote
download the latest Windows version of their software
Uh, oh... I'm a hundred percent Apple! Time for some research. Now that you have inspired me, if worse comes to worst, I'll throw a couple of after market gauges in. Love those numbers!
jor
09 27' MB
10  Suby Forester
Re: Showing numbers above temp gauges
Reply #6 –
Hi JOR; Sounds to me like you will have to rely on an external device such as my Scangauge to see those external gauges.  The 2015 and older vehicles evidently had SYNC 2 which was unable to have a configurable dash display. According to this:  https://www.cjponyparts.com/resources/ford-sync-versions   The SYNC 2 and older versions weren't well received, and functioned as an enhanced 'radio' version of entertainment system.  Ford then required a yearly paid subscription that has been discontinued.
    The 2016 Ford used SYNC 3 and was free with purchase of the vehicle. For my '99 TK I expect the dash to continue to work into my 30th year and beyond (even if I can't drive, or even exist). The Ford SYNC (whatever version), is it still going to exist for old  motorhomes in 2046?
    John R's 2021 Ford uses SYNC 4 and I'm not sure how configurable the 2016 through 2020 dash displays are.   RonB

   (and jealous about a 500 mile range on the gas tank. My E350 only came with a 35 gallon tank, so 320 miles or so)
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Showing numbers above temp gauges
Reply #7 –
Thanks for all that great information, Ron. The tech moves on, that's for sure. On my diesels I used to use a cheapo Windows laptop hidden away and communicating with an iPad on the dash. You could configure it to display all kinds of engine data. Probably best to be limited on our LD as my wife claims (unfairly in my estimation) that I spend all my time looking at those beautiful gauges rather than the road!  :D 
jor
09 27' MB
10  Suby Forester
Re: Showing numbers above temp gauges
Reply #8 –
Quote from: RonB  - 
and jealous about a 500 mile range on the gas tank. My E350 only came with a 35 gallon tank, so 320 miles or so

Ron,
I had just filled up about a mile before pulling into camp.  The LD specs say I have a 55 gallon tank, although I’m never going to push it to see if that’s true 😉.  Towing the Jeep knocks about 1 mpg off my fuel efficiency but IMO it’s well worth having the Jeep to take to the market and for sightseeing.

- John
John & Cathy enjoying life with our 2021 Mid-Bath, 1996 Cherokee and “Bandit” the wonder dog 🐶
Re: Showing numbers above temp gauges
Reply #9 –
Hi John;  The E450's had 55 gallon tanks, and the E350's before 2003 had less.  My tank is variously listed as between 33 to 40 gallons.  My suspicions are that the top 2 gallons are unfillable, to reserve room for expansion of gasoline as it heats up, and that 'real world' use of the last remaining gas at the bottom would overheat the fuel pump, that relies on the gasoline to keep the motor cool.  Going up or down hill, or around a turn, also would be an issue since the outside bottom of the tank is nearly flat. Generator use excluded (I almost never use it) I get about 9.8-10.4 mpg. So I plan refill gasoline stops between 250 and 300 miles.  I just checked the owners manual, and it says 37 gallons for my 138" wheelbase.    In 2003 Lazy Daze switched all floorplans to the E450 chassis with 55 gallons standard, in a single tank.   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Showing numbers above temp gauges
Reply #10 –
Quote from: RonB  - 
Hi John;  The E450's had 55 gallon tanks, and the E350's before 2003 had less.  My tank is variously listed as between 33 to 40 gallons.  My suspicions are that the top 2 gallons are unfillable, to reserve room for expansion of gasoline as it heats up, and that 'real world' use of the last remaining gas at the bottom would overheat the fuel pump, that relies on the gasoline to keep the motor cool.  Going up or down hill, or around a turn, also would be an issue since the outside bottom of the tank is nearly flat. Generator use excluded (I almost never use it) I get about 9.8-10.4 mpg. So I plan refill gasoline stops between 250 and 300 miles.  I just checked the owners manual, and it says 37 gallons for my 138" wheelbase.    In 2003 Lazy Daze switched all floorplans to the E450 chassis with 55 gallons standard, in a single tank.   RonB
My 1998 Maverick 24' Class C on a 1997 E350 chassis had a 55 gallon tank. I could go 500 miles and still have 5 gallons left, but I normally filled up much sooner. I really liked having that big tank. My current 2005 Class C has the same size tank, but not the same range  :-\

Or maybe you meant only the LD E350s, and not E350s in general?
2005 Jayco 24SS
 
Re: Showing numbers above temp gauges
Reply #11 –
Yes, just Lazy Daze. I have little experience with others. My previous 19 foot motor home, (not a Lazy Daze), a 1979 Dodge chassis had a 77 gallon tank.  I do know that other class C chassis did have options for larger tanks, and my parents often had used vehicles with, added by others,  auxiliary second tanks. California has very strict rules concerning alterations to fuel systems.
    A friend in about 2017 bought a new Ford E350 class C, and it had a 55 gallon tank. RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB