My current car is the 98 Buick LeSabre; I will probably retire the 93. I am thinking of getting a code scanner; I am currently working to find the source of the evap leak. Anyway, I am split on my decision to get a scanner that can read ABS codes. The scanners to read ABS are much higher than just a PCM code scanner. Is it worth spending the extra money to get the ABS reader? The ones I am looking at only reads and clears the codes, they can not give live data on the ABS system; the ones that can do that are way much too high for me. I am on a very tight budget. So I thought I would ask the community of their opinion.

If it just reads codes, that'* better than nothing. Most of the time, its either going to be a wheel speed sensor, or the computer itself. You can easily test a wheel speed sensor with a DVM, but having a code reader can eliminate 75% of wasted time just to see if it was a speed sensor.

So yea, get one that does at least codes for ABS.

you need live data to trouble shoot alot of other issues. if you have a problem with the abs you can have it read some place. have heard some parts stores will read those now free. i use torque pro for android, its 5 bucks and 20-30 for a bluetooth adapter and it does the general codes as well as a bunch of live data and performance stuff.

Yes, you can get a lot of scanners, that just read ABS codes......but to get one that reads ABS data, is big bucks....

What price range are you looking for?

At least by knowing the code, you will know which circuit is causing the problem......as stated most ABS problems are caused by, the sensor or harness to it, and in some cases the ABS unit itself.......

I have seen both free and paid software for computers; with a laptop and the software and the connector from the diagnostic port to the laptop; would I have all I need to read codes, capture live data, clear codes, etc? Seems like this would be a better setup than a handheld scanner and easy to update since you just install new software. Are these computer setups as good as a dedicated handheld scanner?

The only one that I know of that does powertrain and ABS is the software from Scantool.net. ScanXL standard is $89 and the GM enhanced diagnostics is an extra $89. And the Bluetooth OBD adapter is $99. So, for $277 and a laptop, you get one hell of a diagnostic tool with a LARGE screen, unlimited loggin etc.

BTW, I have ScanXL with GM enhanced. It'* pretty nice!

Mike, does that give you just PCM data or does it give ABS, Body, or Com data as well?

Went to the web site, and they don't actually state if you get ABS data or just ABS codes....

One of the things I liked to do with the TECH II, was to take snap shots of the speed sensors, and plot them, looking for "blips" in the wave forms, especially on turns....