Customer Reviews

Actron CP9449 BrakeScan Anti Lock Brake System (ABS) Diagnostic Scan Tool

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

This is to ABS what the other Code Scan tools are for your engine. It gives you historical codes and current codes so you can get a good over all picture of whats happening. You must have a basic understanding of ABS and the Sensors / Components that make up the system. If you do then this is the tool that will save you a fortune by not having to take your vehicle to a dealer! If you have no idea of how ABS works, keep taking your car to the dealer or learn fast so you can save! Only possible complaint some may have is that the tool will not reset the ABS light like you can with the Check Engine light with the other scan tools. Me personally, I want to see the historical codes so that I can ascertain if a problem is intermittant or not. Once you repair what is wrong your lignt will go out anyway. Most ABS computers reset themselves each time you start your car. The Light comes on for a reason!

I purchased this tester to scan domestic model cars such as GM, Ford and Chrysler. When I read the description of this tester it stated "Compatible with all domestic vehicles 1996 and newer", however the very first car I tried to use it on was a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix and I was not able to read any information from the vehicle since it was not one of the choices available in the tools menu. The tool came with a vehicle coverage guide, so I looked through the guide and found that it listed the Grand Prix but only for the 2004-2005 model and not the 2001 which was the year I was working on. I believe the tool description should state that it compatible with "some" domestic vehicles 1996 and newer, not "all".

Bought one and returned it after finding out that my 2006 Caravan was not on the list. Contacted the company for software updates as indicated in the manual and there are none. Would be a wonderful tool if it was supported by the mfgr. Price is good, quality good, easy to use but limited. WILL NOT diagnose a car that is not on the list.

I attempted to use this scanner on 3 different vehicles ALL newer than 1999 and on the list of compatible vehicles. My Dodge wouldn't start when scanner was attached. It told me all 4 wheel sensors were bad on the Jeep (which would have set the ABS light on dash board)On the Pontiac it wouldn't link and it turned on both the ABS light and the red brake warning light while attached. Emailed Actron and after 3 days I received a reply recommending I upgrade the firmware, the cable necessary to do the upgrade isn't supplied with the scanner and would have needed to be purchased from Actron.

This is a low priced ABS scanner!!! It does work GREAT if your Car/Truck is on the list of supported Vehicles. It only works for Domestic Cars and Trucks, 1996 and newer because it plugs into the OBDII port and most ALL cars/trucks didn't have OBDII until 1996. It doesn't work on ALL Domestic Cars/Trucks which kind of does SUCK also!!! It's also starting to now get Outdated. It doesn't support anything past 2005!!! That's now 5 years. That's kind of pitiful. Some people have ABS problems with their Vehicles that are less then 5 years old. It also doesn't work on ANY Imports!!!

It supposedly can be updated. It doesn't come with a cable, but you more then likely have the required cable anyway. It's a normal USB to Mini USB type plug. I have a bunch myself from many other devices. The problem is, there's has NEVER been any Updates posted YET, for as long as this device has been released!!! I've had this one since Aug 2008. It's hardly been used.

I've moved on with a Professional Scanner that reads OBDI, OBDII, ABS, AIRBAG, etc for U.S., European, and Asian Cars/Trucks. Then again a little over a $100 for this simple scanner now compared to thousands is a bit unfair to compare.

I would expect UPDATES though even if it was a small Upgrade FEE. I don't expect it to be FREE, but come on, what's the holdup?!?!?! A ABS update for my Pro scanner alone is like $250 then again it does a whole lot more, but a $20 update or something for this scanner would be fine, but there NEEDS to be a update.


If your Car/Truck is on the list, a Update doesn't matter anyway. It'll still work for you. I will say Customer Service SUCKS!!! Updates for ALL of their scanners that are upgradeable SUCK!!! I hate the layout of their Web Page, [...]and so there you have it.

Folks these ABS and OBD scanners are fine - but can you count to eight?

That's all the knowledge you need to use the flashing light from the ABS light on the dashboard to tell you what the ABS diagnostic scanner will tell you.

Short out the OBD cable and the ABS light starts flashing the diagnostic code.

Look up the code in your fix-it manual.

Now you're in business, and you don't have tp worry whether this scanner fits yor car.

On most cars you have to cancel the code by a stepping on the brake procedure. It's in your manual.

I purchased this 2 weeks ago for my 2001 Alero with dash lights annoying me and also cause I needed an inspection sticker. The unit was much larger than I expected. The manual could be more comprehensive but the unit is very easy to use and it only took 5 minutes to diagnose my problem. Two new front wheel bearings and my dash lights are out and I have a sticker. Make sure if you are buying one of these units that it will work on the car or truck you intend to use it on. I paid $109.00 with free shipping. The hubs I replaced were both covered under lifetime warranties so I paid nothing for them and it takes about an hour a hub to replace. Take that same job to a auto repair shop and your talking about $700.00. My next purchase will be an Actron engine code scanner.

I own an Actron automotive scanner and it has saved me a lot of money as well as trouble. This, however, while looking similar on the surface, works like it was produced by some marketing people for a quick buck and really damages Actron's reputation.

It is much more limited than the reviews seem to suggest. I bought mine for a Ford F150 and it turned out that exact year wasn't on the list.

Actron's automotive scanners, if your car or truck isn't on the list, will still work to some degree and give you the error codes, even if it doesn't know how to interpret them. This won't even link up. If your vehicle isn't on the list, you are dead in the water from square one.

This is definitely NOT recommended under any circumstances.

Works as advertised, easy to use, great price. Read the codes quickly and easily. There are only two drawbacks:
1. The list of compatible vehicles is somewhat limited and there is no guarantee that other vehicles will be added to the list.
2. The case is terrible - it's a nice looking case but it doesn't firmly hold the scanner.

Note: Make sure your vehicle is on the list of compatible vehicles.

Brake scan would not work on my 1999 grand prix because it is not suported. Some vehicles it will not scan because they are not on the software, called tech support and no updates available yet,pontiac only has 2 vehicles supported in 1999 year, others have more but note all GM vehicles are. Be careful on what you want it to do!