Looking for one short of getting a clone Tech II. Looking for something with detailed information like wheel speeds for ABS rather than sensor faulty as it could be the sensor the wire the abs computer etc. Same for engine sensors be able to read voltages or engineering units smog related ones especially. There are some many out there and the ones made in the USA are big money some worth more than the car LOL. The cheaper ones you seem to have to deal with China or the UK.

I need to solve an intermittent ABS / traction control light and a P0446 that comes and goes. Has not had that for a while then the day I am headed to dealer for smog check the engine light comes back on go figure.

Actron CP9690 is probably the cheapest one I would recommend.

I highly recommend staying away from the cheap chinese ****.

It is well within budget I did see there was a CP9695 that dropped OBD I that my Corvette uses though I do have a OBD I tool. The CP9695 seemed like it has enhanced ABS features and the latest software. Unfortunately any place that might discount them are all out of stock. Can I get sensor voltages and wheel sort of data from the CP9690 or something you don't use? I tried calling Actron though closed I would guess until Wednesday. I am assuming both will do transmission codes and neither are bi directional.

I think it does do live data, but try finding it on Youtube.

As far as bi-directional control, you are now looking at Snap-On $1000 scanners.

It is the reason I was looking at the TECH II knock offs at 350. Bi directional and OBD i and OBD II users in the Corvette forum have spoken pretty well of them and will do everything the Vectronix one did when the car was new. I tried calling Actron but closed until Wednesday. The Actron CP9690 can be had for a little less than 200 so a bargain in my mind just want to make sure I know exactly what it will do. I was told by Innova the Pontiac ABS bus is proprietary and the reason they could not connect to it. My goals are live data for Engine trans ABS/Traction control and if it does air bags fine if not no big deal. I need the Pontiac for another year or two at least as only 95k on a 2002 as long as it does not rust out from under me. I need to keep the engine legal for smog be able to know if problems and exactly what in trans and ABS to be comfortable with the car. If air bags fail I will disable them. I was never a big fan of them anyway.

I ordered a CP9690 for under 200 bucks and did talk with Actron tech department. I have a pretty good idea as to what it can and can not do from them and can live with that. I wish it had live ABS data but does not though does have codes so they say. I gave them year make model and vin number and said all features will work fine so a we shall see thing I guess. In the interim I borrowed a code reader as my ELM 327 interface has issues all of a sudden so surrender there. Came up with the for me dreaded P0446 evap code. I had it before and changed the purge solenoid and this time changed the gas cap. An internet based guess as 16 years old and all I have done between no light and light back on is add fuel. Read the code more carefully it does say vent solenoid. Are there 2 solenoids a purge and a vent? If yes where does the vent solenoid live in a 2002 Pontiac grand Prix?

Thanks for letting us know about the scan tool.

For the evap solenoid, it looks like you have the GM3100, so the solenoid/valve is located immediately forward of the EGR valve. Easy to replace. Here'* a useful video I found for it:

I have changed the purge solenoid as it is easy to get to and of course the 16 year old gas cap was a simple and somewhat logical try. Codes P0441 to P0445 are listed for purge flow and codes P0446 to P0449 are listed for vent solenoid I am assuming(yes I know a dangerous word) that there is a purge solenoid and a vent solenoid. I have a code P0446 so vent solenoid I am thinking so a problem but not a specific one of open or shorted just not working right. I have looked at You Tube and online in general and have not found a location for the vent though some hinted in similar models it was behind the driver side wheel well. I have no dealer per se to ask the old one has a new service manager where they did sell Pontiacs and less than helpful. I really hate the game of go find it but that is what it might come down to.

Good to know you changed the purge solenoid. Vent solenoid makes sense then.

I put a gas cap on it and the Evap monitor has cleared. Does that mean the P0446 problem is gone as part of the evap system? The monitors I have left are catalyst EGR and O2. Looking at the GM listing for clearing them it looks like a 2 /1/2 minute warm-up from dead cold then drive 55 for 3 to 5 minutes and coast down to 20 with no brakes. I am trying to figure out where I can do that and not get rear ended on the coast down or going 55 in a 65 as all the other secondary roads are around 40 or 45 and loads of cops more than willing to write a ticket for speeding or obstructing traffic. 20 in a 45 will certainly get you a DWI stop. I need to find an uphill exit ramp and take my chances going 55 for 5 minutes. Hopefully my new scan tool gets here today as it keeps track while diving to see how many left. I was told I am ok with 1 pending monitor and no codes with a 16 year old car by the smog station.