Scan tool question - abs vs non abs

[kctyphoon]

So I'm curious and trying to learn here..

If an abs light came on in one of the cars I own - and it was something simple like a speed/abs sensor, would a NON abs scan tool be able to tell me " left rear speed sensor " with a code that's given OR do you need a scanner that has the abs ability to do this? Does the abs function do anything for me that I honestly have a chance of fixing myself - or is it meant to be for a more advanced tech.

Also - anybody know of a good video that teaches what the values and data should be for most of the sensor when watching a live data read?? Tryin to learn somethin.

 

[Hondarancher4435]

You would not see an and wheel speed sensor code without an abs capable scan tool most quality scan tools are abs capable and it's certainly a feature worth having. That's one less thing you'll have to pay someone to fix.As far as the data values there should be tons of info to be found on google however values you want to see will vary from engine to engine slightly

 

[FiendFX]

So I'm curious and trying to learn here..

If an abs light came on in one of the cars I own - and it was something simple like a speed/abs sensor, would a NON abs scan tool be able to tell me " left rear speed sensor " with a code that's given OR do you need a scanner that has the abs ability to do this? Does the abs function do anything for me that I honestly have a chance of fixing myself - or is it meant to be for a more advanced tech.

Also - anybody know of a good video that teaches what the values and data should be for most of the sensor when watching a live data read?? Tryin to learn somethin.

Check out "scannerdanner" on youtube. He's an instructor from Rose Dale Tech College. Very knowledgeable and imformative!

 

[atikovi]

Sensor puts out a/c voltage you can test with a voltmeter but you might have to go through all 4 wheels before finding the bad one. Could take an hour to pull each wheel and check the sensors while the scan tool will tell you which one straight from the obd2 connector in seconds.

 

[royesses]

Lots of good info here:
http://www.trouble-codes.com/

I have oem service manuals for my cars. These list the expected values and limits for live data. There are quite a lot of pages of them.

 

[Ramblin Man]

I would suggest that if you get an aftermarket scanner to diagnose ABS, be aware that some data and/or codes could be wrong. Especially GM. Not many, but some.

 

[Fedwrench]

Unlike Generic OBD II Powertrain data which is standardized across all cars sold in the US, ABS is proprietary and unique to its brand. Not all wheel speed sensors are tested the same.

Go to the manufacturer's web site for the scan tool you're looking at, look for matrix listing was it can read can't by brand and see if it will meet your needs. Even if you get a lower priced tool, make sure it's updatable and see how much updates cost.

 

[kctyphoon]

I might go pick this one up.. 25% off with a coupon right now.

http://t.harborfreight.com/can-obd-ii-scan-tool-with-abs-60794.html

 

[wafrederick]

Ford,the aftermarkets will only read the codes and testing requires their factory scan tool.Ran into this with a Ford Explorer once,diagnostic chart said their scan tool had to be used to do the test on the ABS pump motor.

 

[shockwave]

You might look at action blue tooth scanner for android and by software for abs it will be portable and easy to use and very useful too

And FYI speed sensor codes are dead giveaway of bad bearing a lot of times

 

[WhiffySpark]

Ford,the aftermarkets will only read the codes and testing requires their factory scan tool.Ran into this with a Ford Explorer once,diagnostic chart said their scan tool had to be used to do the test on the ABS pump motor.

Snapon supports it. Of course they're a lot more expensive then what op is looking at. I'm not a fan of a quick read abs checker. There isn't much you can do to diagnose it without a full feature scanner.

 

[atikovi]

At least get one that also does airbags http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KAV9EDS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Bobioz1]

A non ABS scan tool is just that. Non ABS. Some bad info in this thread already. Do some research elsewhere, Google etc. It's not as simple as pulling a code anyway.

 

[AmishFury]

the most important thing before buying an ABS capable scanner is make sure it can even read your ABS system

for example to read the ABS on my 97 grand cherokee i pretty much need the DRB III but i don't have $3K for a used one... it's possible some other scanners might be compatible but more than likely those are the high end models that cost even more

 

[stevenhs]

Ford,the aftermarkets will only read the codes and testing requires their factory scan tool.Ran into this with a Ford Explorer once,diagnostic chart said their scan tool had to be used to do the test on the ABS pump motor.

You even need the ford scan tool to program the abs

 

[WhiffySpark]

You even need the ford scan tool to program the abs

You can use a laptop and mongoose to do it. But yeah it's generally more cost effective to have a dealer do it

 

[kctyphoon]

I wound up buying the HF $135 unit that does abs. With 25% off coupon it was $100 so I'm thinking if it works for me once I made money back.. The model gets good reviews, (made by autel) played with it the other day and everything linked up fine with my car..

 

[wafrederick]

Snapon supports it. Of course they're a lot more expensive then what op is looking at. I'm not a fan of a quick read abs checker. There isn't much you can do to diagnose it without a full feature scanner.

Not the Modis,tried it too.Toyota is worse,4wd does not work when the ABS does not work.Emcountered once of these before.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Not the Modis,tried it too.Toyota is worse,4wd does not work when the ABS does not work.Emcountered once of these before.

Our verus always did. Only had issues when it was actually a bad module. That's a weird issue though. I ran into that all the time on that maxidas junk we had

 

[bandaidmd]

I wound up buying the HF $135 unit that does abs. With 25% off coupon it was $100 so I'm thinking if it works for me once I made money back.. The model gets good reviews, (made by autel) played with it the other day and everything linked up fine with my car..

will that model also do tpms

 

[kctyphoon]

 

[WhiffySpark]

will that model also do tpms

The only thing you can do is with a obd 2 scanner for tpms is see what the pressure is they are reading and temperature. You generally need a TPMS scanner to reprogram or reset them.