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Spent $200 on a cheap scan tool that couldn't read a simple ABS code
I was working on a 2015 Ford Escape with a flashing ABS light. My old scanner said 'no codes found' so I bought a new one online for two hundred bucks. Turns out the cheap unit just couldn't talk to that specific module at all. I had to borrow a real shop scanner from a friend to finally see the wheel speed sensor fault. Anyone have a good budget scanner that actually works on newer cars?
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amy_murphy8512d agoMost Upvoted
Your situation is exactly why I never trust those bargain bin scanners. A lot of them just read engine codes and call it a day. The real test is if they can talk to all the other computer modules in a modern car. That missing ability is a total deal breaker for me. You really do get what you pay for with diagnostic tools. I'd rather save up for a known good brand than waste money on something that can't do the job.
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robert_anderson6915h ago
The real problem is that scanner companies never list which modules their tool can actually talk to. My last one had a box that just said "reads ABS and SRS" but it only worked on like three car brands. You have to dig through online forums to find out if it will connect to a Ford ABS module from 2015, which is ridiculous for a $200 product. They rely on you not knowing the difference between basic OBD2 and full module access. It feels like a scam where the fine print is buried in customer reviews.
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