Ford FDRS / IDS Session Limit Error (AS-VD-E12) and XML Authentication Error - How to Clear a Stuck Session
Ford allows only one active login at a time. A session that didn't close cleanly leaves the server thinking you're still logged in, which shows up as "AS-VD-E12 - Session limit reached" or a raw XML page in the browser. Here's how to clear it.
Two Ford login symptoms that look unrelated actually share one cause - a stuck or duplicate Ford server session. This is a Login & Account Access problem, not a software install or subscription fault, and it's cleared by logging out, deleting Ford's cached session folder, and waiting for the old session to expire. The two symptoms are:
- Error code AS-VD-E12 - "Session limit reached. Access Denied."
- A browser page reading "This XML file does not appear to have any style information associated with it."
The XML message is not a separate error. It's simply how the browser displays Ford's raw 401 Unauthorized API response when no stylesheet is attached. Both point to the same session conflict.
Why Ford shows a session limit or XML error (only one active login allowed)
Ford's subscription system (including 2-day access) allows only one active login at a time. If a previous session wasn't properly terminated because of a browser crash, a network drop, or closing FDRS/IDS without logging out - Ford's servers keep counting that old session as active. That blocks any new login until the stale session expires or is cleared.
Step 1 - Log out of the website and close the browser
1. Go to motorcraftservice.com and click Log Out in the top-right corner.
2. Close the browser completely (all windows), not just the tab.
Step 2 - Delete the Ford Motor Company cache folder
This folder stores Ford's cached session tokens. Deleting it forces FDRS/IDS to re-authenticate cleanly on the next launch.
1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type %programdata% and click OK.
3. Find the folder named Ford Motor Company.
4. Right-click it and select Delete.
Step 3 - Empty the Recycle Bin
Right-click the Recycle Bin on the desktop and choose Empty Recycle Bin, so the cached session files are fully removed.
Step 4 - Wait about 20 minutes, then relaunch
Ford's server-side session does not expire instantly. Wait roughly 20 minutes for the old session token to time out on Ford's side, then reopen FDRS or IDS and log in again.
If the error still appears
If the steps above don't clear it, the cause is usually one of these:
- The subscription has lapsed or wasn't renewed - verify it's active (AE Tools can confirm your subscription status).
- A second install is still logged in - for example, a shop PC and a laptop both have FDRS/IDS, and one still holds an active session. Log out everywhere.
- Ford is having a broader authentication or server issue.
In these cases, contact Ford TechLine directly to have the session cleared on the server side, or to confirm subscription status.
Related articles
- How to fix Ford FDRS login issues - resync your credentials - https://knowledgebase.aetools.us/i-cant-log-into-fdrs
- How to renew your Ford Diagnostic Software subscription - https://knowledgebase.aetools.us/how-to-renew-your-ford-diagnostic-software-subscription-through-proaesolutions.com