# Brake Bleeding with ABS

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-bleeding-with-abs/1788>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [July 16, 2007, 1:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-bleeding-with-abs/1788 "2007-07-16T13:56:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Loafer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/loafer/32/28_2.png) [@Loafer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Loafer)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2007, 1:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-bleeding-with-abs/1788/1 "2007-07-16T13:56:31Z")

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Is it possible to bleed the brake system of an ABS vehicles w/o a power bleeder and/or scan tool to cyle the ABS? A have a home-brew vacuum bleeder, but not a power bleeder.  
  
  
  
 I’ve bench-bled the master cylinder, but I think there is still air in the ABS unit.  
  
  
  
 The vehicle in question is a 97 Chrysler Town and Country with 4-wheel ABS.  
  
  
  
 Thanks!  
  
 Josh

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2007, 2:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-bleeding-with-abs/1788/2 "2007-07-16T14:53:15Z")

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[b]If there’s air in the ABS unit, you’ll need a scan tool to bleed the brakes.

1. Bleed the base brakes in a sequence recommended by the manufacturer.

2. Connect the scan tool, and command the ABS controller to go into the bleed mode.

3. Bleed the base brakes again.

That’s it!

Tester[/b]

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Loafer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/loafer/32/28_2.png) [@Loafer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Loafer)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2007, 7:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-bleeding-with-abs/1788/3 "2007-07-16T19:12:12Z")

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Thanks for the reply!

I’ve been meaning to buy a scan tool anyway, so I guess this is a good exscuse 🙂

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2007, 7:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-bleeding-with-abs/1788/4 "2007-07-16T19:53:09Z")

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I’ve bled brakes in my '97 expedition before usinga length of tubing into a baby food jar, and a partner pumping the brakes w/ no problems. I now have a vacuum gun that works great. Piece o pie.

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**Author:** ![me\_art12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/839c29/32.png) [@me\_art12](https://community.cartalk.com/u/me_art12)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2007, 9:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-bleeding-with-abs/1788/5 "2007-07-16T21:34:54Z")

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I don’t think just any engine scan tool will scan a Chrysler ABS system. Mr. Tester?

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2007, 9:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brake-bleeding-with-abs/1788/6 "2007-07-16T21:34:55Z")

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[b]You’re going to need a scan tool for ABS systems. A regular OBDII scan tool won’t access the ABS controller. ABS scan tools are not cheap!

Tester[/b]