Looking to do a brake fluid swap and see several available. Just wondering what you guys use before I invest $200.00-300.00. I don't need a full featured commercial machine. Entry level is fine as long as I can bleed the ABS Module. Thanks
Need a handheld obd2 port scanner to cycle abs module.
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Well, yea, but looking for makes and models that would do what I need from people who use them rather than just reading reviews.
Usually, it's a Dealer Only Tool. The software is unique to an ABS Unit and most often proprietary. Aftermarket OBD2 Dongles and associated device don't have that software. If you knew the ABS Manufacturer, you could approach them but am skeptical they would let you have their proprietary software, which would need some hardware.
You could contact aftermarket tool manufacturers like Snap On, Mac and many others to inquire if they have something. They won't be cheap. But again, be careful to ask the right questions. Some of these guys try to "reverse engineer" software to work and may or may not actually work although they promise to.
Poor Man's ABS Tool: The other method, which I don't advocate because it's hard on the vehicle and the tires on dry roads, is bleed the brakes normally to get all clean fluid at each wheel in the order of RR, LR, RF, LF. Then, go out and trigger several ABS Events where the brake pedal pulsates. Then go back and bleed the brakes again per above sequence.
Only do a Two Man or Bleeder Ball to bleed the brakes; NOT Vaccuum.
So, the best plan is talk to your Dealer and the tech that will do it.
Blickie is spot on. We have quite a few different OBD2 tools laying around and some of my guys have their own as well. None of the cheaper options I know of have any ABS activation/bleeding built in. They can read ABS codes no problem though. I haven’t played with any of the newer tools though to find out for sure. Would guess your gonna have to spend over $500 to get one with that feature built in, maybe quite a bit more…
Guys, thoughts please, this unit claims to do it for a bunch of auto manufacturers. Also a few YT vids of guys using this exact make and model:
www.obdprice.com
Autel Maxicheck Pro for ABS Brake Auto Bleeding OBD2 Scan Tool with Airbag, EPB, SAS, BMS, Oil Reset Services for Specific VehiclesDefault Title
Autel Maxicheck Pro is a specialty tool for technicians & garages. Focus on one or more service functions, like EPB, Oil Service, ABS, SRS, BMS, DPF etc. Sale online store at wholesale price.US/EU warehouse.
www.obdprice.com
Several user comments say it does run the ABS Pump and hopefully that includes cycling all ABS Solenoids in the ABS Unit. If it does both for your car, then it should be fine.Guys, thoughts please, this unit claims to do it for a bunch of auto manufacturers. Also a few YT vids of guys using this exact make and model:
Autel Maxicheck Pro for ABS Brake Auto Bleeding OBD2 Scan Tool with Airbag, EPB, SAS, BMS, Oil Reset Services for Specific VehiclesDefault Title
Autel Maxicheck Pro is a specialty tool for technicians & garages. Focus on one or more service functions, like EPB, Oil Service, ABS, SRS, BMS, DPF etc. Sale online store at wholesale price.US/EU warehouse.
I would suggest having an assistant so one of you can be very near the ABS Unit under the hood and make sure the pump runs and you should be able to hear/feel the solenoids cycling in the ABS Unit.
Suggest going to the Tool's Website and download all user manuals and start reading. Not a joke.
Might be worth an email to the company and ask specific questions....
There’s also a few Innova models that claim to do it as well. More research. Thanks guys.
Let us know what you find...
Looks like the Innova Car Scan 5510 will fit the bill, plus they are located in Ca. The other one I mentioned above is in China. Good luck with tech support there! Ive got to check more reviews however.
You should call Innova and talk to a tech and ask specific questions...
Years ago -- sometime after 1996 when OBD2 appeared -- I bought an Actron scan tool. It didn't support access to other control modules or ABS pump cycling or anything like that. But it did offer the ability to trigger the built in tests some engine controllers supported tests to check O2 function.
The scanner cost around $250 -- quite a sum in that day -- but it paid for itself many times over.
I had real good experience with Actron and I'm looking into buying one -- I think the CP9695 model -- capable of doing more including ABS pump cycling for brake system bleeding.
But that Innova CarScan Tech 5510 looks interesting.
OTOH, I have only bled the brakes (and clutch) hydraulic system 2 times (at least with cars I have owned since 2002) but I can't recall doing it any more than that. I just found it easier to when I had the car in for an oil/filter service and the brake/clutch hydraulic system was due for a flush/bleed service to have the brake/clutch hydraulic system bled then.
The techs do this all the time. It is so easy to do with the car on the lift. They use a pressure bleeder so no helper is required. Watched this done several times and the tech can get around the car visiting every brake caliper in turn in really no time. It was quite impressive. The tech used a catch bottle he connected to the bleed valve nipple to capture the old fluid. As soon as he opened the bleed valve the nasty old fluid flowed out. As it changed to fresh fluid he closed the valve and moved the hose to the other nipple and repeated the process. The tech had the diagnostic tool to cycle the ABS pump and that was that.
I can't recall the cost of this service but remember that this service and the manual transmission/diff fluid service were two of the least expensive services I paid a dealer service department to do.
I did the bleeding a few times, two times, just for the experience but 2 times was enough for me.
Thanks @Rockster I’ve got the vacuum bleeder from Harbor Freight and the fluid as well. Just wondering if half assing it by not bleeding the abs module us worth the 250.00 I’m going to dump on another seldom used tool. Love to hear feedback from someone who has used it, or another, before.
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FOXWELL NT630 Plus ABS SRS SAS Airbag Code Reader Scan Tool Bidirectional OBD2 Scanner, ABS Auto Bleed Car Diagnostic Tool with ABS Airbag Light Reset Tool & SAS Calibration
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FOXWELL NT630 Plus ABS SRS SAS Airbag Code Reader Scan Tool Bidirectional OBD2 Scanner, ABS Auto Bleed Car Diagnostic Tool with ABS Airbag Light Reset Tool & SAS Calibration
Visit the FOXWELL Store
4.3 out of 5 stars 2,226 ratings
| 1000+ answered questions
-12% $149.98$149.98
Vacuum Bleeding is not recommended for ABS Systems..
Yep, once I discovered the pressure bleeding, I was hooked. I actually enjoy bleeding them now.
Thanks for the help guys. Since I really want to knock this out this weekend I bought the Innova Car Scan 5510. Said to be here Sat. 5% off at Amzn. Came to 257 w/tax.
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