Vgate vLinker FD+

The vLinker FD+ adds that missing network. It speaks the five standard OBD-II protocols every 1996-or-newer car uses, plus Ford's MS-CAN. Paired with FORScan Lite on an iPhone or Android phone, it reads fault codes and live data from modules on both buses.

• All-module code scans in FORScan Lite, so you see body and cluster faults, not only engine ones.
• Live data from Ford modules, depending on the model and what FORScan supports for it.
• Generic OBD2 on any make through Torque Pro, Car Scanner, OBD Fusion or DashCommand.
• Other brand apps such as JScan for Jeep and BimmerCode for BMW, which Vgate names as compatible.

Vgate is plain about the limit. The FD+ is a diagnostic adapter. It does not support advanced system adjustments or control unit updates, and Vgate points buyers who want those toward the vLinker FS USB or FS Bluetooth.

Under the shell, the FD+ understands both ELM's AT commands (ELM327 and ELM329) and STN's ST command set, the extended language OBDLink adapters use. Apps that recognise STN commands can use them for faster, cleaner communication.

Vgate rates the vLinker FD+ for the five standard OBD-II protocols and Ford's MS-CAN. CAN FD is not on that list. Treat the FD+ as a classic CAN adapter, and assume it cannot talk to modules that only communicate over CAN FD.

For most drivers this never matters. The vast majority of cars on the road use classic CAN, and Ford owners buy the FD+ for MS-CAN, which it covers. It matters when you drive something very new.

The same caution applies to every ELM327-style adapter, not just this one. The ELM327 command set was designed around classic CAN and the older OBD-II protocols, and newer bus types need newer hardware. A clear name on the box is no substitute for the protocol list.

• If your car is a recent model on a CAN FD platform, check the app's supported-vehicle notes before buying any ELM327-style adapter.
• If FORScan or Car Scanner reports modules it cannot reach on a new car, CAN FD may be the reason.
• If you work on older Fords from the MS-CAN era, the FD+ fits the job.

The ELM327 explainer covers the standard protocols and what each one means for your car.

1. Plug the FD+ into the OBD2 port, usually under the dash near the driver's knee.
2. Turn the ignition on. Start the engine if you want live data at running temperature.
3. Open FORScan Lite, Car Scanner or your chosen app and set the connection type to Bluetooth LE.
4. Let the app scan and pick the vLinker from the list.
5. Run a full scan and give the app time to find each module.

If the adapter does not appear, check that no other app on the phone is holding the connection. Only one app can use the FD+ at a time.

On a Windows laptop, the FD+ connects to software that supports Bluetooth LE adapters. For FORScan on a laptop, most Ford owners find a USB cable simpler, and the FD+ earns its keep on the phone. Keep the phone's Bluetooth on and location permission granted, since Android apps need it to scan for BLE devices.

The FD+ also supports firmware updates, so keep an eye on Vgate's updater if an app starts misbehaving after an update. Over-voltage, over-current, over-temperature and battery drain protection are built in. The app guide compares free and paid options in more depth.

The FD+ fits the owner who wants to know why a light came on, check a module after a repair, or watch Ford-specific data from an iPhone. It does not fit the owner who has read about global window opening, Bambi mode or tire-size correction. Those are FORScan configuration jobs, and Vgate sends that owner to the FS.

Buying the FD+ first and upgrading later is a reasonable path if you are unsure. It stays useful afterwards as a phone adapter for quick reads, while the FS or a USB cable handles the laptop sessions. Owners of a single, older Ford who only care about codes rarely need more than the FD+.

• Choose the FD+ for iPhone plus read-only Ford diagnostics.
• Choose the Bluetooth 3.0 FD if the phone is Android and the budget is tight.
• Choose an FS model if configuration is on the list, even as a maybe.
• Choose a laptop and USB cable if module programming is the main goal.

For the full rundown of Ford adapters, switch cables and USB versus Bluetooth, see the FORScan guide.