Scan Tool That Reads ABS?

[Rhymingmechanic]

I started researching scan tools because of a recent problem with my ABS system. The commonly available code readers and scanners like Actron and Auto Xray don't read ABS codes. Can anybody recommend me a good scanner that will read ABS?

Here's what I want:

*ABS, Engine, and Trans codes
*GM OBD II specific, with option to read other makes
*Ability to see data like real-time knock retard and trans temp
*CAN compatible for future vehicles

Thanks for your help.

 

[brianl703]

I recommend the OBDII Vehicle Explorer http://www.obd-2.com/

It does require a laptop (it's CPU requirements are quite modest--I run it on Pentium 166 laptop which would cost about $75 on Ebay, and I believe the software will even run under good old Windows 3.11) but that makes it much more upgradeable and gives you significant amounts of data logging capacity.

The support for GM vehicles is quite good. In my mom's 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic, I can see the oil life remaining (which is an undocumented feature--it has no dash indicator for it) as well as the transmission shift time error, among many other data items.

Support for Ford vehicles is also quite good, in my 1996 Ford Contour I can see how much torque the engine is putting out (shown as "engine torque into torque converter" even though I have a 5speed manual), how many lbs of air the MAF is reading, and many other things.

For GM vehicles, I know for a fact it can get body codes, so it should be able to get ABS codes too. It probably can get ABS codes on Ford vehicles too, but the ABS in my 1996 Contour isn't tied into the OBD-II system.