Browsing on eBay, I came across something called the "repair software" DVD made specifically for the 2005-06 FEH here: http://cgi.ebay.ca/2005-2006-Ford-Es...QQcmdZViewItem

Some other related items like manuals and factory wiring diagrams can be found here:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/2006-Ford-Escape-...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.ca/2006-Ford-Escape-...QQcmdZViewItem

My question is, how does one use "repair DVD software" to interface with the car? The eBay page doesn't actually explain it so even if I order it how do I hook it up to my FEH?

This is the dealer service DVD. You do not hook this up to the vehicle.
It is basically an electronic Helm manual.

That PCED manual is used along with DTCs to diagnose any issues. The service DVD has the PCED and electrical info.

Pardon my ignorance, but what are "PCED" and "DTC"?

DTC - diagnostic trouble code
PCED - powertrain controls/emissions diagnostics

The DTC code is pulled from the vehicle and then the PCED shows how to diagnose that code.

If these DVD's are like the other ones I got for Ford, their running is kind of kludgy, at best. You have to play games with a regular PC to make them work (like miss-adjust the date).

Best single LD trip: 35.3mpg

Walt, you may have copy of the original with a fake label if you bought it from ebay. Others have complained about the date issue and theirs was a copy bought on ebay. I bought the complete new set of Helms '05 manuals for $110 on ebay a year and half ago. This was over $300 from Helms directly.

GaryG

What does that mean? They sold you a pirated copy?!..no way, not ebay

So what about the one that you got GaryG...was that "kluggy" too? If not, then it's worth it to buy, right?

If Walt bought his DVD from a Ford parts dept., I would be upset if someone replaced his original copy from Helms with a cheap copy. I would call Helms and find out about the problem.

The manuals I bought from ebay were the Helms manuals still in sealed wrap. I would even buy a used manual cheaper. They are a great help and I strongly recommend them. I know nothing about the DVD, but it seems other's here are having a hard time finding information like you can with the manuals. The PCM/ED manual has the best information, and it is only for the hybrid. It explains the operation of the FEH/MMH the best, so if you see a copy for sale, grab it. I think that volume is worth retail from Helms.com myself.

GaryG

I bought a DVD from an on-line (non-ebay) source. My particular DVD covers virtually every Ford 2006 model at that particular point in time. There is some sort of "tech manual mini-application" that comes on the disk and if you install it completely - it runs very quickly and very smoothly.

It makes sense that Ford "disables" the DVD after 3 months [edit: it is 2 months actually] of the issue date - sort of a fail-safe to remind the dealer technicians, when they grab a DVD and try and boot up, that they may not have the latest version. (And to go and get the latest version). For us do-it-yourself-ers we just temporarily change the date on our PC, so we don't have to buy an update every 3 months. [I don't think Helms is sending updates/corrections every 3 months - even for $300]

So, the DVD is just like having a (single) version of the factory shop manual. GaryG is right, they are a huge help. The section on hybrid systems design and the automated diagnosis process (PCED) is impressive in its size and scope.

My cost was $80 including shipping........I would have purchased it from Ford - but they didn't offer.

Greenhybrider - I believe the reference you saw to "repair DVD software" is the shop manual that comes on DVD - not something that actually interacts with operating software.

I bought the Helms shop manuals on eBay as well... had to troll around for over a month watching auctions to find one that I snapped up -- got the whole set in one fell swoop, and for less than two manuals alone were regularly going for. Favorite the search terms that bring up the FEH Helm shop manuals and watch and you should be able to get a similar deal. Love having them!

- Shannon (Geeky, Wild Texan)