If using a power bleeder (Speedi-bleed) do you still need to have someone depress the brake pedal while opening the bleeder when the scan tool is running the ABS pump? Is there any reason to NOT use a power bleeder during the ABS bleeding procedure?

 

i would recommend getting Techstream to bleed the brakes

 

See attachment from the 2002 FSM.

 

Changed the front two brake hoses and pressure bled the system. After that I tried using two different scanners to do the ABS bleed and neither one would actually do the ABS bleed. It still seems the pedal isn't quite right but the car is still up on jackstands and it's hard to tell. The pedal may be a little bit better but it feels very similar to when I had air in the ABS unit on my Pontiac. The scanner that worked for the Pontiac ABS bleed isn't working on the LS, I emailed the scanner support (Foxwell) and will see what thay may say about the LS and the scanner I have. When looking at the Amazon order, I see they had another scanner where Toyota, Scion and Lexus was specified (wasn't on the one I got)... these are pretty much ABS and SRS scanners so you would think it would handle the Lexus ABS bleed. At least it worked for the Pontiac!

I have a VXDIAG VCX Nano coming that will run the techstream software so hopefully that comes pretty soon.. of course I already have a VCX but that is GM based and works with the tech2win (tech2) software. I was very tempted to try it with the toyota techstream software but I don't want to have any unknown issue pop up and possible break the tech2win as you need to really jump through some hoops to get that working.

 

No, using speedibleed, pedal depressed not required, start furherest away from master cylinder.. The Foxwell scanner is the issue, I have a Phonix Lite 2 scanner and it bleeds the brakes on 02 LS, while bleeding I am prompted to depress brake pedal but a few days ago I bled brakes on 2012 GMC truck and never depressed brake pedal as prompted without any issue

 

Thanks... I'll have a techstream capable scanner (VXDIAG) later this week. Was considering bleeding the actuator while I'm waiting on the scanner but I see there isn't much room to get at the fitting and would be somewhat tricky opening the bleeder. The speedi-bleed worked great doing a normal bleed and should work well on the actuator if I can get the bleed screw open with the limited room.

 

Still waiting on the vxdiag scanner so I can run the techstream software... In the meantime I followed up with foxwell on the ABS bleed issue with their scanner. They requested I try the steps for ABS bleeding and if it failed to turn on wifi and retry which will send the data to their tech support. They did respond relatively quickly (1/2 day) but stated the car doesn't support that. When I tried doing an ABS bleed on my pontiac, the Innova scanner I had wouldn't work and that's when I got the foxwell which worked fine with the Pontiac but doesn't work with the LS430.

Foxwell's reply...

Dear Customer

The engineer has verified the data and found that the vehicle does not support ABS blending function. Please follow the steps below to manually exhaust. This model can consider using manual exhaust (two people working together to exhaust). The specific operation is as follows:

1. The assistant sits on the driver's seat and lifts the car.

2. Connect the PVC hose to the vent plug and send a signal to the assistant to inform that the preparation work is completed.

3. The assistant needs to press the brake pedal multiple times.

4. Press the brake pedal to the fully depressed position.

5. Loosen the air release plug by approximately 1/4 turn and proceed with the exhaust.

6. Quickly tighten the vent plug again.

7. Repeat steps three to six until the bubbles in the brake fluid disappear.

8. Check if the vent plug is tightened and reinstall the vent plug cap.



Best Regards

 

FYI... Both foxwell (have their device) and Launch creader (contacted through Amazon) tech support have indicated that the 2003 LS430 will not perform an automated ABS bleed and that needs to be done manually. I did get a reply from someone on another thread with a 2002 LS430 that did the ABS bleed so that seems confusing that a 2002 supports an ABS bleed but not a 2003. I'll do a manual ABS bleed in the next couple days... I did get the techstream setup with a VXdiag nano however all the modules are showing white with an * indicating the modules aren't communicating. I'll try a clean install and see since I was trying to use the same laptop I had the GM tech2 setup on with a different VXdiag GM scanner.

Has anyone been able to actually do an automated ABS bleed with a scan tool where is runs the ABS pump motor?

 

Is there a specific reason why you need to run the ABS motor?

I think you're making this harder than it needs to be. I posted this (Post #3) above.

You need the following:

1. A master cylinder bleeder adapter (this one worked for my LS400; it should work on an LS430 of your vintage):
   Amazon
   Amazon
2. Source of regulated air
3. Adapters to connect the air source to the bleeder adapter.
4. Bleeder nipple wrench.

Just make sure you don't allow the master cylinder to run dry.

 

There is still some air in the system but definitely not in the calipers or lines as I replaced both front brake hoses and power bled the system. Doing an ABS bleed with the pump motor running was the procedure that I've done before on other cars with good results. I do have the master cylinder adapter and a speedi-bleed so I can do the manual ABS bleed, I was just trying to do it with a scanner and have been chasing that around.

I'll do the manual ABS Bleed since that seems to be the only option for me... just trying to determine what years the scanner can activate the ABS pump. I had one reply from a 2002 owner who indicated they did the ABS bleed so I was under the impression the 2003 should also support the scan tool bleeding method.

At this point it's just clarification on which years support the ABS bleed procedure with a scan tool to eliminate any confusion for the next person and also verify that I don't have another issue preventing the scan tool from operating properly.

 

Just to follow up... I did finally get techstream working... never could get the VDIAG VCX Nano to work, the mini VCI I got from eBay worked fine. Techstream shows air bleeding is not supported on my 2003 LS430 UL. I did bleed the brakes and actuator several times with a speedi bleed power bleeder. Pedal travel is better and acceptable but still has more travel than I am accustomed to. I was able to turn off the auto tilt and DRL so that was nice. I'm wondering if the VXDIAG module I have may be defective?