Hello folks, I recently learned about FORScan for Ford vehicles when doing research on a issue with my 99 Ford e350. I'm wondering if there are any similar software based obd2 scanners for Saturn vehicles. I've recently learned that my obd2 reader can't read the BCM on my 06 Vue (I didn't even know what a BCM was until recently) which would have helped me diagnose a no start issue.

 

What is going on that requires you to scan the BCM?

 

Forscan was written by somebody with intimate how much of all of the modules in today's Ford vehicles. It is the most comprehensive support tool available to the DIY er I have seen.

There is no equivalent for a Saturn. There is the GM Tech 2 used by the Saturn Techs. I'm sure snap-on scanners can control and access things at a regular code reader cannot. I'm sure they could also access most if not all of the same information as a tech 2.

But no there is not a Saturn equivalent of forscan.

You couldn't read the body control module codes because you had a code reader not a code scanner.

 

Currently, nothing (that I know of) but having access to the BCM codes likely would've sped up the diagnosing of the passkey system issue I had. The more I learn about my Vue makes me realize just how awesome of a car it is and how much it was ahead of its time. This base model Vue has more features than my dad's 2013 Sentra.

Yeah, I know that now. Before getting my Vue I mostly worked on older fords as that's what my family has had for my entire life I never needed more than a code reader and didn't even know there was a difference between a reader and a scanner. The reason I'm looking for Windows-based OBD2 scanner software is that I just bought an adapter for the 99 E350 van to use with FORScan so I thought I'd look for simular software for the Vue so I wouldn't have to spend 200-300 on a scanner. My dad owns the van and was looking at buying a cheaper (but still not inexpensive) scanner for his van and asked me to research ODB2 scanners. That's when I discovered FORScan.

Since there isn't a Saturn specific software scan tool, are there any universal software applications for OBD2 scanning that you'd recommend?

 

The scan tools from obdlink are very capable, but one needs to remember that the sw that comes w it can only get at the mfr codes if they are accessible. Meaning you can only read the PIDs that the pcm is willing to give you. No enhanced saturn sw support. I find their sw to be dead on.

There is an android app called car diagnostics pro which also does a very comprehensive job of scanning vehicles and extracting codes. I believe it has enhanced diag packages that come with the probl version.