The new standard hardware, capable of communicating on FD-CAN networks required for modern trucks.
tester, a handheld tool produced by Hickok Corporation. While the NGS was the standard through the 1990s and is still used for some legacy 1984–2004 models, it lacked the processing power for modern vehicle networks. It was briefly succeeded by the Worldwide Diagnostic System (WDS) , a dedicated tablet-style workstation that introduced the Vehicle Communication Module (VCM) 2. Introduction of IDS (2005–2006) ford ids version history
The current high-end hardware combining VCM II, an oscilloscope, and a signal generator. Usage and Licensing The new standard hardware, capable of communicating on
| Version Range | Key Feature | |---------------|--------------| | v1–v49 | Basic OBDII, DTC read/clear, KOEO/KOER tests | | v50–v79 | PMI, PIDs graphing, VIN auto-populate | | v80–v99 | Hybrid battery diagnostics, Network test, BMS reset | | v100–v110 | APIM config, Firmware over J2534, SYNC 3 support | | v111+ | Security patches only; no new model support | It was briefly succeeded by the Worldwide Diagnostic
Ford did not follow a simple annual release pattern. Instead, IDS used a major.minor.build numbering system. Major releases often corresponded to new model years or major vehicle architectures. Below is a breakdown of the most significant milestones.
To appreciate IDS, we must acknowledge its predecessor: . NGS ran on dedicated hardware with a monochrome screen and used PCMCIA cards. It was powerful for its time (1990s) but became obsolete as Ford introduced the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus in the early 2000s.