Diagnostic Scan Tool for 2002 KJ

[2002_KJ]

I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions on what scan tools will work on a 2002 KJ, specifically for diagnosing SRS and ABS, which I'm starting to understand that the less-expensive OBD2 scanners can not do.

Also, I've checked the vehicle coverage on scan tools that can perform that kind of diagnostic like Autel but I haven't seen one that covers 2002 year KJs, most start at 2004 or 2006. So I'm trying to understand why this is and which scan tools can deal with those more advanced diagnostic needs on a car of that year. Thanks.

 

[04Liberty]

DRBIII

 

[2002_KJ]

DRBIII

Thanks. Did some research on this. Seems like you either have to have a very expensive and increasingly rare DRBIII diagnostic tool from Chrysler or you have to use an emulator. I may try the emulator route sometime in the future but it seems like a project.

I wanted to ask you, if I use a regular OBDII scan tool will I still be able at least to see the codes but just not be able to communicate with the modules? Would you be so kind as to explain this please if you know? Thank you.

 

[04Liberty]

Most generic scanners will not see those type of codes. It's how I ultimately ended buying a DRBIII years back. I had two PCI bus vehicles at the time so it worked out nicely.

 

[2002_KJ]

Most generic scanners will not see those type of codes. It's how I ultimately ended buying a DRBIII years back. I had two PCI bus vehicles at the time so it worked out nicely.

Makes sense. Thanks for your help.

 

[Ksat]

What you need may depend on the degree of diagnosing you want to do on the SRS/ABS systems. If you're simply looking to read or erase codes, I'd bet the ranch you don't need a drb 3 to do it- even on your older vehicle. Regarding brand compatibility, Autel's site seems to require you enter one of their scanner models first before you can enter your vehicle information, so you may want to contact their tech support or post a question on their forum. BlueDriver's site says their device will read/clear codes from SRS/ABS on your Liberty (if it's from the US, at least). Launch's website says their scanners can handle SRS/ABS on your ride as well, but doesn't go into specifics. https://www.launchtechusa.com/

 

[2002_KJ]

What you need may depend on the degree of diagnosing you want to do on the SRS/ABS systems. If you're simply looking to read or erase codes, I'd bet the ranch you don't need a drb 3 to do it- even on your older vehicle. Regarding brand compatibility, Autel's site seems to require you enter one of their scanner models first before you can enter your vehicle information, so you may want to contact their tech support or post a question on their forum. BlueDriver's site says their device will read/clear codes from SRS/ABS on your Liberty (if it's from the US, at least). Launch's website says their scanners can handle SRS/ABS on your ride as well, but doesn't go into specifics. https://www.launchtechusa.com/

Hi, thanks for this response. Yeah I'm starting to understand this isn't as straightforward as I thought in terms of what does or doesn't work. I'm going to start trying some out and see what happens, contact brands for vehicle compatibility, etc. If they don't work I guess I can always return them.

 

[Ksat]

I'm starting to understand this isn't as straightforward as I thought in terms of what does or doesn't work.

Unfortunately, you're not going to find a non-factory scan tool that does all things for all makes and models. This pretty much is the case no matter how "enhanced" the unit claims to be and how much it ultimately costs you. The more advanced things you want it to do, the more chances you'll have of running into a brick wall. Plenty of independent shops have to refer their customers to local stealerships because they can't get even their multi-thousand dollar Snap on scanner to handle it.

I believe most emissions-related systems in the US have to adhere to the global obdii standard, which means any garden-variety generic obdii scanner should be compatible with it. Anything else seems to be off the table. This is becoming more of a problem as the number of non-emission related "modules" seem to increase by the day in newer vehicles.

 

[onrywayne]

Thanks. Did some research on this. Seems like you either have to have a very expensive and increasingly rare DRBIII diagnostic tool from Chrysler or you have to use an emulator. I may try the emulator route sometime in the future but it seems like a project.

I wanted to ask you, if I use a regular OBDII scan tool will I still be able at least to see the codes but just not be able to communicate with the modules? Would you be so kind as to explain this please if you know? Thank you.

I'm using a Zurich ZR13S and haven't ran across any issues with it at all.
Just watch if you try to get one off of EBay as they are priced higher than the store.

 

[2002_KJ]

I'm using a Zurich ZR13S and haven't ran across any issues with it at all.
Just watch if you try to get one off of EBay as they are priced higher than the store.

Hi, what year/model are you using it with? Have you used it to diagnose SRS Airbag systems by any chance? Any other info would be interesting, thanks.