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What's needed to read ABS codes on 04 WJ

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ShadowsPapa

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
2004 WJ, 127,000 miles.
Over a year ago the ABS light came on and it's been on since. Off with ignition off, On with ignition on and/or engine running.
It NEVER goes off unless the key is off. Start it and it's instantly on. It's been that way for months but going into winter, would like to find a solution.
No parts store can read ABS codes - their readers are "check engine only" - that's what they've all told me - no ABS.

I have an iCar BLE 4.0 device - this exact one -
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XGB4873

On my JT this device will view pretty much anything with jscan, but jscan works with that model. It will not work with the 04 WJ. I did buy the VIN license for jscan for my JT as I plan on adding the proximity locks and doing other stuff with it, not really for diagnostic at this point.

So I looked around for different software that would tell me what the ABS error was about - I read for a couple of hours, reviews, and so on, but reviews only say yeah, it's great, people love it, it will show you HP and all that fun stuff. No review of any product I read about would even mention the modules or errors it works with.
Hopeful that since the Torque Pro software was at the top of more than one review it would tell me what the ABS light was all about, I downloaded and paid for Torque Pro - hopeful it would read the ABS.
Nope, it's pretty much engine and transmission only, nothing else. It's actually pretty basic.

So I have no way to determine what the ABS light is all about.
The dealers - some have suggested I have a dealer check it. They will - for their minimum hourly rate, over 100 bucks to read a damned code!

So am I screwed?
 
#2 ·
I suggest buying a real hardware scan tool that can read ABS, etc. Not these Bluetooth dongle and phone programs.

I just recently helped someone out on the Dodge Durango forums with his ABS problems. It was a 2004 Durango which is basically the same powertrain as the 2004 WK, etc.

The Scantool I have is a Vident iLink400 off Ebay for around $150. It was able to read the ABS Hydraulic module and perform the ABS module bleed procedure, etc.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/OBD2-Full-...601069?epid=12035602251&hash=item3430c64aed:g:YZUAAOSwS5lfX0T5&autorefresh=true

It also works well with my earlier and later year OBD2 Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep vehicles.
 
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#5 ·
I have one from Autozone that works OK. Innova, spent like $60 on it a number of years ago. It can do ABS, engine codes, tranny codes, and live data. That live data has helped a lot more than I thought it would. It's a nice compromise between a SnapOn and turning the key three times. I'd rather have the SnapOn, but this is a hobby.

I don't see the one I have on the website any longer, but this looks to be the replacement: https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-...test-scan-and-specialty-tools/code-reader/innova-carscan-code-reader/514004_0_0

Josh
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
JeepRonibo said:
I suggest buying a real hardware scan tool that can read ABS, etc. Not these Bluetooth dongle and phone programs.

I just recently helped someone out on the Dodge Durango forums with his ABS problems. It was a 2004 Durango which is basically the same powertrain as the 2004 WK, etc.

The Scantool I have is a Vident iLink400 off Ebay for around $150. It was able to read the ABS Hydraulic module and perform the ABS module bleed procedure, etc.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/OBD2-Full-...601069?epid=12035602251&hash=item3430c64aed:g:YZUAAOSwS5lfX0T5&autorefresh=true

It also works well with my earlier and later year OBD2 Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep vehicles.
Click to expand...
Was trying to use the device I have as it will read every single thing about the JT except the radio and blind spot monitors. I can even change settings with it. I think the problem with some devices and software is the AGE of the WJ. It talks differently than newer vehicles. If you consider the last few years there's nothing much that jscan can't read with the device I have and I can leave it in place and keep a tablet in the truck to make changes or take readings on the fly (and change things with the security bypass cable.

Hate to spend $150 for a one-time single diagnosis on a single vehicle............... if that's my only choice there's a lot to think about.
 
#7 ·
Wouldn't be single vehicle use. Like I indicated above it works on several other vehicles I have including:

2002 Chrysler 300M Special
2000 Dodge Intrepid R/T
2004 Dodge Durango SLT
2008 Dodge Durango Limited Hemi
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee V6
 
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Discussion starter · #8 ·
WJ60 said:
I just went thru the list of codes on WJJeeps.com and not one of them covered the ABS system. Interesting to say the least.

See if you can find an answer here:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=2001+jeep+grand+cherokee+abs+light+on

Thanks, will check that out.
I suspect the reason what I have won't work on THIS Jeep but does on our others is AGE of the WJ. I can do anything with the JT and my interface and jscan on the phone (or tablet) but finding anything that will work with ABS - especially on older Jeeps, not easy, maybe not possible.
Click to expand...
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
JeepRonibo said:
Wouldn't be single vehicle use. Like I indicated above it works on several other vehicles I have including:

2002 Chrysler 300M Special
2000 Dodge Intrepid R/T
2004 Dodge Durango SLT
2008 Dodge Durango Limited Hemi
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee V6
Click to expand...
Right - but what I have already will work on our other Jeeps.
So in this case, yeah, it's a one time ABS diagnosis of this specific Jeep.
So for me it's $150 to read the ABS on this one vehicle one time (in all likelihood)

My other device and jscan will do everything I'd ever need or want on our other Jeeps, including changing settings.
So I only need to read the ABS error on this one older Jeep.
My other stuff is new and the interface I have and software I have will read them perfectly.
Also like the ideal that I can leave the other interface plugged in and use my tablet on the fly.
I can change tire size settings, security settings, TPMS settings, other things.

OF all of the Jeep vehicles we've owned, this is the very first time any warning light, MIL, CEL, whatever, has ever come on. I had a "CEL" come on with my Eagle and 4.0 when a charging system fuse blew but that was 4 or 5 years ago.

Anyway, so I'd spend 150 and hopefully find out why the light is triggered, then set it on the shelf for the foreseeable future.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
JeepRonibo said:
You asked and I offered a possible solution. If it doesn't meet your needs/wants carry on some other way. Good Luck with it.
Click to expand...
Yes you did. Thanks - but I believe 150 bucks will have to be a last resort for now.
I'm looking at a one time use as my other scanning tools will handle my other Jeeps easily. Just to check one thing one time - hard to justify as I'd not use it on any other vehicle.

The biggest trouble with the software out there is that all they talk about is engine, CEL, engine codes, fun engine things - that seems to be all anyone else is ever interested in - what's my HP output, what's the intake air temperature, what's my throttle position, when is it doing this or that.
None of the software mentions other things - but many reviews allude to diagnosing other areas, some reviews mention ABS - but their mention is cryptic. (I don't think some even know what they are writing about! They simply make money doing reviews.)
 
#12 ·
Bluedriver should read the ABS codes - It did on my UK WJ. eBay.com has it at $99.95.
Their website says that it reads a range a vehicles - So assume most US makes/models should be covered.
Only weakness for me is that it doesn't seem to do JDM Nissan - and my wife has a Japanese import here, so have to use a £5 ELM327 dongle and separate £5 App for that (which is no biggie).
 
#13 ·
Not really surprised the jscan doesn't work on the WJ, as a quick look at their website lists the models supported and WJ ain't one of them.

Good news is that should you buy a suitable reader for the WJ it won't be a one time use, a WJ will ensure you get to use it a bunch of times!:smile2:

The alternative is change all your wheel sensors, the ABS module and fluid level monitor and that should likely turn off the ABS light. Expensive and time consuming way to do it, so maybe buying a suitable reader is the way to go?
 
#14 ·
When I first bought my BlueDriver it could only read engine codes on my 2001 WJ but it read everything on our '05 and '8 Honda Accords. Within the last year they pushed out an update that now lets me read engine, transmission, and ABS codes on the WJ. I can't recall if it shows airbag sensors or not. (It does for the Hondas).

If you're not in a hurry, Amazon Prime Day starts on Oct 13th. In the past the BlueDriver has dropped $20 to $79.99. :)
 
#15 ·
I used to have a 2000 Chevy Blazer that threw ABS codes. I would pull the wheel speed sensors and clean them to make the codes clear. Eventually I replaced them and didn't see it anymore. Have you pulled yours to check them? Usually it's the front ones that get dirty.
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
HampshireWJ said:
Not really surprised the jscan doesn't work on the WJ, as a quick look at their website lists the models supported and WJ ain't one of them.

Good news is that should you buy a suitable reader for the WJ it won't be a one time use, a WJ will ensure you get to use it a bunch of times!:smile2:

The alternative is change all your wheel sensors, the ABS module and fluid level monitor and that should likely turn off the ABS light. Expensive and time consuming way to do it, so maybe buying a suitable reader is the way to go?
Click to expand...
LOL - good chuckle for the Monday morning. Yeah, but really this WJ hasn't been bad. Bought it from my father's estate when he was killed in an accident (he was with his 2010 Ranger, the WJ safely in his garage)
The rear wiper doesn't work, the driver door electric lock doesn't work since the shop replaced the rocker panels and had the doors off, and the driver side outside mirror is siliconed in place as the spring or whatever holds it in place has gone south (I injected black silicone into the gap and it holds the mirror fine and can't really be seen - the mirror electric adjustment DOES work fine)
Otherwise, aside from those minor annoyances, it starts, it runs, it goes, it's reliable. It's actually our 2nd or 3rd WJ (we've had so many new Grand Cherokees over the years, I can't recall all of them!)

As far as jscan - yeah, bummer their cut-off date for the Grand Cherokees is 2005! But I really bought that for my JT anyway, no worries there, was just hoping that for an additonal VIN license I could do the WJ, too.

Clever come-back, by the way :wink2:
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
WJ60 said:
I used to have a 2000 Chevy Blazer that threw ABS codes. I would pull the wheel speed sensors and clean them to make the codes clear. Eventually I replaced them and didn't see it anymore. Have you pulled yours to check them? Usually it's the front ones that get dirty.
Click to expand...
This isn't a sensor sort of thing - as it came on during one startup and has stayed on since, as if it's not detecting the presence of something or can't communicate with something. A sensor can't be diagnosed until a wheel turns. The piece that rotates below the sensor causes a signal to be sent to the controller - so a dirty wheel down there, rust, whatever, would trigger a light once you started moving. This came on and never went off, ever. I was wanting to see what code was stored or present - that's what I was trying to determine.
When the light comes up when you start the engine, BEFORE you even move, it's not likely to be a wheel sensor trigger being dirty or rusty as it can't know about those until you move.
Once you move if it's not getting a signal, then the light should come on.
My guess - the controller itself, either dead, no power or not getting any input from anything as it's on before you even put it in gear.
I plan on checking and cleaning each of the wheel sensors anyway because this is Iowa - our roads are far from clean, especially during and after winters with the sand and salt, but all troubleshooting charts and texts I've seen say that sensor issues trigger a light after you move and then it goes out while troubles at the control under the hood cause the light to come on when you first turn the key on, before you even start the engine, and stay on, never going out.
 
#18 ·
Papa, have a look at this thread, I started it when I had ABS troubles. https://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f310/brake-fun-4394887/ - there is a post by jtec that describes the ABS set up, how it works and what to test. There are ways to test the sensors using a multimeter which save having to take things apart at the wheels. In fairness there is usually little to see at the wheel sensor end of things and unless they are really filthy or something is visibly broken then going down that road is not a likely fix.

If I remember rightly, if the ABS light comes up it will always light up on start up unless you have reset the codes, once it is fixed it will go off on its own. I ended up buying a Launch scanner that reads all engine functions, transmission codes, ABS and air bags - I figured in this day and I age you need one if you are going to play with cars. The scanner is far easier than the multimeter. The scanner saves a lot of time in pinpointing where the problem is, without the scanner I wasted time, effort and money trying to think my way through the possibilities - I came to the conclusion that thinking ain't my strong suit.
 
#19 ·
My 1999 WJ gets an ABS light that comes on when the Jeep is first started IF it has been sitting for a couple weeks. Drive the thing for a little while, it stays on during this. Shut it off and then start using it regularly again and not let it sit, and the light stays out. I have always thought it was rust build up on the rotors or sensor and after driving it a bit the rust clears and the ABS sensor starts working correctly and the light goes out. Not saying its this, just FYI.
 
#20 ·
I'll add to the BlueDriver that has already been suggested. It was $100 and is a bluetooth dongle which sounds like some people don't like. I've used all styles of scantools from pro to cheap OBD2 dongles on ebay, but this is the best for DIY. It is way more capable than you'd believe from something that (relatively) inexpensive. The beat part to me was that there are constant updates and improvements to the app software, but there's only the one time purchase with no extra fees.

I will say that I found it didn't read the ABS on my 02 WJ though... After talking to one of the techs at BlueDriver, I learned that Chrysler used European (Mercedes) derived powertrain computers for a short time in the early 2000s to cover a shortage of USDM style. The OBD2 protocol is federal law and works fine, but body, transmission and ABS is proprietary. Maybe now it has been updated, but the company was at least super helpful and gave me a partial reimbursement. I've used it many times on other cars and it's always been great. Good luck.
 
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