DRB2 Scan Tool Options

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tmills65 - 21 Sep 2006 04:49 GMT

Looking for options for a DBR2 scan tool. I know these units were made
my OTC. Can you get a generic OTC unit and upgrade/add-on to made it
DBR2 compliant? I need to be able to "talk" to the ABS computers on
Dodge RAM pickups.

Thanks

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Greg Houston - 22 Sep 2006 03:19 GMT

> Looking for options for a DBR2 scan tool. I know these units were made
> my OTC. Can you get a generic OTC unit and upgrade/add-on to made it
> DBR2 compliant? I need to be able to "talk" to the ABS computers on
> Dodge RAM pickups.

I'm not sure what DBR2 (perhaps you meant OBD2?) is but I'm in the same
boat. A generic scanner can get emissions and some other codes, but it
won't be able to get codes from the ABS module. (It might be able to if
the vehicle uses the new CAN protocol, which only applies to select
vehicles from 2003+ model year, but I really don't know much about that).

I'd like to know why my ABS light is one before I hand over my car to the
mechanic, but so far I haven't been able to find a solution to do this..
The only scan tools that I'm aware of that can retrieve ABS information
(as well as do specific tasks such as the ABS brake bleed) is the Chrysler
DRB III and Snap On's Scanner with the ABS Fast-Track cartridge
installed. Both of these are professional tools and very expensive.

Even ABS *codes* aren't listed in my factory service manual, apparently
you have to find a Diagnostics manual to get that information.

If anyone is aware of a handheld or laptop based consumer scan tool that
can get Chrysler ABS information, I'd be very interested in it.

Greg
'99 LH

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tmills65 - 28 Sep 2006 04:21 GMT

> The only scan tools that I'm aware of that can retrieve ABS information
> (as well as do specific tasks such as the ABS brake bleed) is the Chrysler
> DRB III and Snap On's Scanner with the ABS Fast-Track cartridge
> installed. Both of these are professional tools and very expensive.

The latest scan tool from snap-on is the MODIS (very expensive). Will
the MT2500 work for this task as well as getting other codes from the
truck's diag computer? I think I have seen an ABS Fast-Track cartridge
for the MT2500.

Tim

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aarcuda69062 - 28 Sep 2006 14:44 GMT

In article
<1159413666.986748.111520@e3g2000cwe.googlegroups.com>,

> > The only scan tools that I'm aware of that can retrieve ABS information
> > (as well as do specific tasks such as the ABS brake bleed) is the Chrysler
> > DRB III and Snap On's Scanner with the ABS Fast-Track cartridge
> > installed. Both of these are professional tools and very expensive.
>
> The latest scan tool from snap-on is the MODIS

The Modis is a scan tool w/graphing, power graphing meter and 4
channel lab scope bundled into one unit. It -doesn't- have any
better scan tool capability than the original red brick.

> (very expensive).

About $8000.00. Also heavier, harder to navigate and much more
fragile.

> Will the MT2500 work for this task as well as getting other codes from the
> truck's diag computer? I think I have seen an ABS Fast-Track cartridge
> for the MT2500.

The MT2500 will work if you have the new programmable VCI
cartridge and programmable TCI cartridge. VCI and TCI are black
in color. IIRC, full ABS capability was just added to VCI/TCI
just a few updates ago, possibly version 5.4

If you go e-baying for them, be very careful, because the VCI and
TCI are normally programmed on the Snap-On dealers truck.
(IOWs, you may be bidding on blank cartridges)
AFAIK, the only VCI/TCI cartridges that come pre-programmed are
the ones sold by the industrial reps.

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