Bleeding the ABS/VSC system

Hello all

Was recently put in a situation where I had all the fluid brake drain from the master cylinder. 2013 TRDOR with VSC system.

After fixing the issue, refilled the brake fluid and did a conventional brake bleed on all 4 corners. I then tried to bleed the ABS using the “dirt road method” but I could tell I wasn’t 100% getting all the air out.

Searched on the forums and couldn’t find a solid answer on what “relatively” cheap OBDII scanner could do the ABS/VSC bleed other than tech stream.

I rolled the dice on this

$140 ANCEL TD700 OBD2 Scanner Fits for Toyota Lexus Scion Engine Car Diagnostic Scan Tool All System Code Reader for Reading/Erasing Code,1996-2021

ANCEL TD700 from Amazon and happy to report back that it can perform the ABS bleed on these trucks. At 120 bucks I’d say it’s relatively cheap for what I needed it to do. Brake pedal is solid now.

Thought I’d share on here for future reference.

 

Is something like that needed for my 2007 sport for the ABS?

 

Edit: I was wrong, see later post.
This only works on the OffRoad models as they have an electronic brake booster.

 

Cheers,

I hate brakes.

Did new calipers, pads, rotors in front this past spring.
Did new wheel cylinders, shoes and drums a year ago.
All Toyota stuff.
Fill fluid flush both times.

Brakes always felt the same since I bought the truck 8yrs ago.
They feel weak in comparison to the wife's Mazda and even weak in comparison to my old 92 Ramcharger which was big and heavy.

I've been thinking that this is the way it is in the Tacoma.

By chance I was hoping an ABS bleed was needed with a scanner tool.

 

Yep. That’s my experience. Not with my current truck though:

 

abs module bodies have lots of cavities that trap air and traditional bleeding will not clear it. The abs bleed routine activates each of the numerous solenoids in the abs module to get that air out of the module and moving down the lines. ALL abs units in every car are electronically actuated. abs, by definition is a computer controlled function. None of this is related to the booster.

 

I stand corrected. I was mistaking the TRD OffRoad feature of auto-bleeding using TechStream. The ABS is a different unit and you’re correct about that.

 

Them's look nice.
Pricey I bet too.

 

So does this mean I could get the scanner and do the ABS on my truck?
Is that the best way to do a complete bleed on my rig?
Cheers for any insight.

 

None of the ABS bleed routines are standardized. Most inexpensive scanners do not do the ABS bleed. Some of the mid priced units do it, but the vehicle coverage is hit or miss. If the OP was able to do it on his tacoma with the scanner he mentioned, the chances are very good it will also work on your truck.

Generally, you manually bleed first (get air out of the lines before the abs), then do the ABS bleed to push the air out of the module and further downstream, then follow up with another manual bleed to get that air pushed out of the calipar. Some ABS bleed routines will push enough fluid so that the last step is not required, but don't know the toyota routine, so can't advise whether that step is necessary or not, so suggest doing it. Don't forget to refill the MC after each individual bleed step (LF, RF, etc.), lest you have to start all over again

Don't forget that a spongy pedal is typically due to air in the lines. However, a long pedal travel that is very easy, followed by immediate firmness after the long travel is usually due to mis-adjusted shoes in the rear.

 

Anyone know if this works with 3rd gen ORs?

 

read the manual.

manuals generally say use a pressure bleeder.
Previous car manual stated up pressure to 30psi. It had an ABS block and no scan tool procedure.

 

The

$140 ANCEL TD700 OBD2 Scanner Fits for Toyota Lexus Scion Engine Car Diagnostic Scan Tool All System Code Reader for Reading/Erasing Code,1996-2021

ANCEL TD700 did not work on my 2007 tacoma, swapped all 4 brakes and emptied out my lines completely. Thought I'd get lucky and be able to bleed the ABS module like this. No go, hope it saves somebody's time in the future.

 

Just sharing my experience. I did a suspension overhaul and lost all the fluid in the braking system. I had issues with bleeding the brakes and I read somewhere to bleed it as usual but with the engine running. I'm not going to pretend I know why or how it works, but it worked for me. No special tools, nada. Hope this info helps somebody (2017 Taco)

 

If you have an OR or Pro all you need is the ignition on but not the engine running. Other trims you shouldn't even need the ignition on when doing just the lines.

My question was kind of vague. I'm asking if that scanner linked to above if the software works with 3rd gen ORs to bleed the "master cylinder solenoid" (ABS). I have read the manual and it does say to bleed the lines and the ABS with techstream (or scanner).

 

Would a broken parking brake line in the rear make the shoes mis adjusted?

 

No