Question about Dodge Scan Tool

[MACKIN]

Have a friend who owns a 99 Dodge Ram Chummins not that it matters ,well kinda is having a ABS issue. He went to Auto Zone had the code read and it wasn't much help ,they couldn't read it. He has replaced numerous brake parts (new) ,normal maintenance and what has happened is he gets a ABS light illuminated.

I told him to bleed all 4 corners which he has and also told him I was told or read somewhere that you need a scan tool to properly bleed his brakes. It's only front ABS ,disc,drum rear.

Does anyone know of a proper Scan Tool that would read ,diagnose ,clear the ABS light? Just wondering can a Tech II be used with proper software and cable or it's a whole different beast? I ask as the maker of the TECH II is Vetronix and I'm sure the go more than GM or no? I really haven't done much research yet figured I'd ask first to cut to the chase.

He doesn't want to spend big bucks on a scan tool

 

[bradyn]

I would bet that the wheel speed sensor is the issue. The dodges I've been around all seem to have the abs light problem do to the fact that the abs works of them.

 

[MACKIN]

He has replaced BOTH sides ,sorry I forgot to mention that. If I recall he broke them when he was doing the front brakes removing them. Not at the same time different times. He also has had problems with the front calipers hanging up and he goes through front brakes like I go through socks. He has replaced both calipers.

I believe the caliper issue is ABS related. But not sure at this point

I'm trying to think is there a adjustment or something on the sensors?

 

[Bustedknuckles]

Speed sensor in the rear diff probably. I am a tech and I can never understand why people don't take there stuff to shops and get it diagnosed before throwing parts at it......

 

[Bustedknuckles]

P.S., there is no adjustment.

 

[chevyburnout1]

I bet diag at a shop would have been cheaper than all those parts haha. Also if his front brakes are wearing that quick I would question the BACK brakes. If they don't work then the fronts do almost 2x more braking.

 

[MACKIN]

Speed sensor in the rear diff probably. I am a tech and I can never understand why people don't take there stuff to shops and get it diagnosed before throwing parts at it......

I know what your saying but this is one of those deals where a routine brake job illuminated the ABS light. Basically he did front brakes as he has before then this problem occurred.

So your saying that it's 4 wheel ABS in his 99 3500 not 2 wheel? He told me 2 wheel ABS ,I have not a clue don't work on it.

Thanks for the info I'll pass it along

 

[chevyburnout1]

Still need a sensor in the rear even if its only 2 wheel ABS. Has to know how fast all the wheels are going.

 

[MACKIN]

Still need a sensor in the rear even if its only 2 wheel ABS. Has to know how fast all the wheels are going.

Makes sense tells you what I know about ABS systems. I thought only being front that it only had to register front wheel speed left to right as it only effected front braking proportioning moreorless didn't matter at what speed the rear were spinning at as it couldn't regulate.

 

[68skylark455]

94-99 had bad issues with wearing out the ft bks, calipers sticking. You have to replace pretty much everything for the first "fix" which is what dodge did on the 94-95. Second, when you do front brakes you must open the bleeder and push the fluid out, if you don't and push it back in the master cylinder it will give you a spongy/weak pedal, cause the abs system to stick and other issues. The rear speed sensor in the diff(its on top-10mm headed bolt) is usually the first to go, second is the other speed sensor in the rear of trans(only on some models) we have had both out at the same time. If you do the rear in the trans, some diesels have it where you can actually put it in upside down and it won't read(been there). As far as Vetronix-thats the tool we use everyday, it take a special VIM module for chrysler only applications. Do not however go out and buy one, they just informed us we will no longer get support or updates because they are discontinuing it.

 

[Bustedknuckles]

Makes sense tells you what I know about ABS systems. I thought only being front that it only had to register front wheel speed left to right as it only effected front braking proportioning moreorless didn't matter at what speed the rear were spinning at as it couldn't regulate.

ABS has nothing at all to do with brake wear or proportioning. It only matters in a panic stop situation. I would suspect rear brakes not working as well on the break wear issue.

 

[MACKIN]

ABS has nothing at all to do with brake wear or proportioning. It only matters in a panic stop situation. I would suspect rear brakes not working as well on the break wear issue.

Wrong choice of words. When I said proportioning I meant the regulation of pressure in the system. I know what a proportioning valve is. Just poor choice of description. Thank you for the info I'll pass it along.

 

[MACKIN]

94-99 had bad issues with wearing out the ft bks, calipers sticking. You have to replace pretty much everything for the first "fix" which is what dodge did on the 94-95. Second, when you do front brakes you must open the bleeder and push the fluid out, if you don't and push it back in the master cylinder it will give you a spongy/weak pedal, cause the abs system to stick and other issues. The rear speed sensor in the diff(its on top-10mm headed bolt) is usually the first to go, second is the other speed sensor in the rear of trans(only on some models) we have had both out at the same time. If you do the rear in the trans, some diesels have it where you can actually put it in upside down and it won't read(been there). As far as Vetronix-thats the tool we use everyday, it take a special VIM module for chrysler only applications. Do not however go out and buy one, they just informed us we will no longer get support or updates because they are discontinuing it.

One thing for-sure is he definitely didn't open the bleeder to compress the calipers and sure nuff he has a spongy peddle. Now how to correct that is the obvious question? Start over?

It's a 99 Dually 4x4 and he's looking to get a code reader so he can hopefully pin point which sensor is bad so as not to have to buy everyone. Does anyone have or know anything about this one innova 3030 OBDII code reader? He isn't looking to spend big bucks and he needs to clear the codes also.

Thanks for all the information greatly appreciated! He's had this problem for about a month now!

Thats why I like my truck I did brakes all four corners couple three years ago,pads,new rotors front and flushed the system to Synthetic fluid and my brakes are MINT! Just like the day I bought it. I recommend anyone who has NOT flushed their fluid to do so. Mine was so black and filthy and it made a huge difference! It's very simple to do.

 

[68skylark455]

One thing for-sure is he definitely didn't open the bleeder to compress the calipers and sure nuff he has a spongy peddle. Now how to correct that is the obvious question? Start over?

It's a 99 Dually 4x4 and he's looking to get a code reader so he can hopefully pin point which sensor is bad so as not to have to buy everyone. Does anyone have or know anything about this one innova 3030 OBDII code reader? He isn't looking to spend big bucks and he needs to clear the codes also.

Thanks for all the information greatly appreciated! He's had this problem for about a month now!

Thats why I like my truck I did brakes all four corners couple three years ago,pads,new rotors front and flushed the system to Synthetic fluid and my brakes are MINT! Just like the day I bought it. I recommend anyone who has NOT flushed their fluid to do so. Mine was so black and filthy and it made a huge difference! It's very simple to do.

Next question: is it just the ABS light or is the Brake light on to? As far as bleeding start at the pass rear, one person in cab one at wheel, open bleeder, have someone push pedal down and hold then tighten bleeder, do this about 3-4 times per wheel going from pass rear to dr rear then pass ft then dr ft. DO NOT PUMP PEDAL-IT WILL TAKE ONE AIR BUBBLE AND MAKE IT MILLIONS OF BUBBLES. As far as a code reader I have yet to find just a reader that will do ABS on a dodge product and be accurate. Most shops like us charge 1/2 hour to read and check codes. Just tell him to spend a little and take it to someone just to diagnois it, at most an hour so probably $100 or less and go from there. He may have to have someone pressure bleed it if they don't have a tool to activate the abs pump for selfbleeding.

 

[MACKIN]

Let me first say I appreciate you taking the time to help here! :hug:

Looks like there is two readers one ABS specific.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/...00/Year/1999/Reads-ABS-Codes/Yes/?Ns=Rank|Asc

Not sure if the cheap bastard wants to buy either.

Thats what I told him just take it some where and have it diagnosed and be done with it. He isn't auto handicapped he's fairly decent and likes to work on his own vehicles. But he doesn't quite under stand the newer technology even tho this vehicle isn't loaded with newest technology in reality. But ABS he's lost. He has done brakes on this truck with out issue. But like I said he's done fronts more often do to the defect in this brand now he has issues.

What he said is not only is the ABS light on but the BRAKE light is also.

That is the way he bleed it like you said but I wasn't here and I've seen him bleed brakes before and I'll beat he pushed the peddle down ,tightened the bleeder,then either he or his helper pumped the ever living shit out of it to get a peddle. Seen him do this MANY times and why I never allow him to be my helper if I can't bleed a brake system with my Mighty Vac.

So I'm wondering "if" this could just be a bleed issue entrapped air. This is what I told him I thought was the problem a couple weeks ago and he bleed them again and still has the problem. BUT I'm sure he bleed them as I described above.

Curious as to your thoughts although on the brake light with the ABS light being illuminated. Thanks

 

[MACKIN]

Here it is the proof what I was saying. I let him use my shop on the weekends if he needs a place to work on his vehicle. As a matter of interest he and his father just did HG's on a 99 Taurus last week.

Ok so I asked him about his bleeding procedure and I was spot on. I'm sure age had something to do with it but in the pumping up process he blew the rubber line of the rear to the junction block! See I told you he's his own worst enemy! :rofl:

Unreal

 

[68skylark455]

Call me, check your pm's for my #. There is way to much to type-I use 3-4 fingers to type so it takes forever:roflmao:

 

[MACKIN]

Thanks again I gave him the info hopefully he follows up with it. Again much appreciated!