FCAR F502 Review: Perfectly Read/Clear Codes on Trucks

Have received and used the FCAR F502 code reader for trucks for a few days. And here, I’ll chip in my few words of experience.

 

This is the FCAR F502 heavy truck code reader i’ve got. (FCAR F502 price: $135 with shipping)

F502-Heavy-truck-Code-Reader-review

Src: http://www.obdii365.com/wholesale/f502-heavy-vehicle-code-reader.html

 

The package includes:

1pc x FCAR F502 Main unit with obd2 cable
1pc x FCAR F502 User manual
1pc x Diesel 9pin connector
1pc x Diesel 6pin connector
1pc x box

 

FCAR F502 heavy duty truck scanner tool is free and easy to have diagnostic tests for trucks such as Cummings, Detroit, Caterpillar, Freightliner, International, Kenworth, John Deere, Peterbilt, Sterling, Mack, Mecedes Benz, VOLVO and a large number of diesel trucks and engines supported by J1939 or J1708.

 

FCAR F502 version:

v5.0

 

I have updated to version 5.0 myself. This is what i did:

  1. Hold scanner’s “Enter” key and connect USB cable to your Windows PC (Mac is not supported), and then release “Enter” key. The scanner will go into Update Mode screen.

FCar-F502-reader-update-(2)

FCar-F502-reader-update-(1)

  1. Install USB VCOM driver (Only need at first time, see next USB VCOM driver installation guide)
  2. Download the software from top of this page, extract the zip file (ie. FcarReader_502_20150806.zip) into a folder. ie. d:\temp\FcarReader_502_20150806, run file named FcarReader_502.exe. Select COM number. (You will find the COM number on step 2, or you will be found under Control Panel–>Device Manager).
  3. Start Update

 

Operation system:

F205 can work good with Windows 10/8/7/XP/Vista.

I have downloaded and installed software on Windows 7 no issues.

 

Abilities:

Mainly used for fault codes reading&clearing, live data reading!

FCar-F502-truck-reader-how-to-use-(1)

This is the FCAR F502 menu list. Sorry for the bad resolution.

 

Vehicle Information: Quick access to all basic vehicle parameter.

FCar-F502-truck-reader-how-to-use-(2)

FCar-F502-truck-reader-how-to-use-(3)

Fast Scan: very satisfied with this; i mean it runs fast: get into the vehicle system for less than 10 seconds

FCar-F502-truck-reader-how-to-use-(4)

FCar-F502-truck-reader-how-to-use-(5)

FCar-F502-truck-reader-how-to-use-(6)

Read codes of Engine, Transmission, Brake, Turbo charger, Axle, Power unit, Trailer, Instrument cluster, etc.

FCar-F502-truck-reader-how-to-use-(7)

Read live data of road speed, idle engine speed, rated engine speed, engine speed, engine coolant temperature, maximum road speed limit, cruise control high set, limit speed…. see my screenshots

FCar-F502-truck-reader-how-to-use-(8)

FCar-F502-truck-reader-how-to-use-(9)

FCar-F502-truck-reader-how-to-use-(10)

FCar-F502-truck-reader-how-to-use-(11)

Complete scan: it entirely scans the whole system and display the full complete list of system

Tool information: incl. Serial number and tool version

FCar-F502-truck-reader-how-to-use-(12)

FCar-F502-truck-reader-how-to-use-(13)

Setting: Measurement system incl. Metric system and US customary

Update Mode: i mention this above. Used to download and update software via an USB cable

 

FCAR F502 truck scanner list:

It covers Cummings, Detroit, Caterpillar, Freightliner, International, Kenworth, John Deere, Peterbilt, Sterling, Mack, Mecedes Benz, VOLVO and a great dea diesel trucks and engines whoever are supported by J1939 or J1708.

 

FCAR F502 diagnostic tool review:

So far, i just tested this tool on a few:

 

2000 kenworth t 600: scan codes with a 6-9pin connection

sterling Mercedes Benz Diesel: working fine

Allison Transmisssion on a 2001 navistar-international(School Bus): perfect, clear codes and read codes

 

ISC 960 model or GMC Savanna school bus: cannot hook up.

 

In sum, it’s nice when it works. This is a code reader only and not a programmer it will clear codes and read codes, nothing else. Works great for the purpose it’s built for. But it would be better if the factory improves the hardware design coz the display is very small and dim. Extremely hard to read.

 www.obdii365.com

OBDII365