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ABS Light On & Unit Buzzing Code P2509

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It will not work on your 2004. First year for wiTECH on our trucks was 2006. But if Michael can confirm it includes the DRBIII emulator function then it will work similar to the DRBIII.
 
It will not work on your 2004. First year for wiTECH on our trucks was 2006. But if Michael can confirm it includes the DRBIII emulator function then it will work similar to the DRBIII.

Thank you, that was what I was thinking about that my truck was made for the DRBIII back then.
If Michael could check that physically on an older Truck that would be awesome.
 
Thank you, that was what I was thinking about that my truck was made for the DRBIII back then.
If Michael could check that physically on an older Truck that would be awesome.

Ok, I'll see if I can find an older Dodge to scan.. actually I'm not sure what year, but my neighbor has an older Dodge, might be about 04 or so, I might send him a message and see if I can scan his truck, if it is a candidate.
 
You should be able to check on your truck. Look at the lower right when you are hooking up and see if it says DRBIII Emulator. It will be grayed out, but still might be there.
 
AutoEnginuity has a pass through programmer that will write to the ECM. Not cheap but it is cheaper than a true DRBIII that actually works, more than a few out there that are broke and there is no fixing them as the original provider is gone. Even the DRBIII emulators are a crapshoot as they may not work as intended either. The common WiTech DRBIII emulators I have been told are missing a lot of original features and functions.

I would not EVER put a Chinese based program on another computer and trust it. Way too many glitches in there stuff and potential for spyware right along with it.
 
You should be able to check on your truck. Look at the lower right when you are hooking up and see if it says DRBIII Emulator. It will be grayed out, but still might be there.

Ok, just did a scan. No DRB emulator anywhere. That said, I need to check the software disk to see if it had such software that I just did not install, but at this point it's not looking good for DRB.
 
AutoEnginuity has a pass through programmer that will write to the ECM. Not cheap but it is cheaper than a true DRBIII that actually works, more than a few out there that are broke and there is no fixing them as the original provider is gone. Even the DRBIII emulators are a crapshoot as they may not work as intended either. The common WiTech DRBIII emulators I have been told are missing a lot of original features and functions.

I would not EVER put a Chinese based program on another computer and trust it. Way too many glitches in there stuff and potential for spyware right along with it.

Totally understand the concern on Chinese stuff, by all indications, it came with OEM software, it won't go to the tool registration page, but I think that could be that the tool is out of production by the US based company, at least that is what I came up with trying to track it down. As such I get a registration error notice, but the instructions I found said to just close out that window and ignore it, and that seems to work just fine.

Now I will say the GM version VXDIAG Nano I got, that seemed sketchy, the McAfee and Windows Defender said the software was a Trojan, so I returned that and will look for another GM option.

I do have ability to scan with AutoEnginuity for GM and FCA, but it's a bit glitchy (I did a scan today on my 2015 Cruze Diesel, and on scan returned what appeared to be every possible error code that the car could produce, 17 page long report! a glitch with the software), and they want me to buy a annual subscription to update software, and that is pricey. When I bought it it was pricey, but it was not an ANNUAL fee, so I'm a bit disappointed.. that and they have one OEM enhancement at a reasonable price, but you can't just get 2, for double that, which is all I need, you have to get up to 5, for 4 times the cost.. another annoying thing. That and to get the programming features you are looking at a separate device and close to $2K, that still doesn't get you the ability to program, as you still need the OEM subscription!

What I have learned in general, the OEMs really want to rip you off for the ability to interface with these computers (of course they want you to pay ridiculous amounts at the dealerships) , I'm OK with a REASONABLE priced tool and subscription, but what they are asking is ridiculous... thus they have created the market for these China based tools at much more reasonable cost.. if the OEMs were smart, they would price lower, and most would pay the genuine OEM, even if almost twice the cost of the China tools, but when its 5-10 times more.. that is ridiculous, especially given it's near certain the hardware itself is coming from the same factory in China either way.
 
You should be able to check on your truck. Look at the lower right when you are hooking up and see if it says DRBIII Emulator. It will be grayed out, but still might be there.

Ok, so I checked the software disk, and there is a folder for "DRB III emulator" so I guess that means it has that software included on the install disk, but I have not had a need to install or use that function, but I think it is likely it will work using the DRB emulator for the 2004 vehicles.

Also on the disk is wiTECH version 17.03.01, I installed and I'm using the newer 17.04.27 software.. not sure why the older version is there, but it is.
 
I was under the impression that the Autoenginuity software was extensive and implemented well.

To those who have it, what is it specifically that you do NOT like about it?
 
I was under the impression that the Autoenginuity software was extensive and implemented well.

To those who have it, what is it specifically that you do NOT like about it?

It's all good, but it lacks the ability to program some stuff, for example Keys or new ECU or ABS units and so on.
It can program Tire size.
 
AutoEnginuity can program all those things and more, basically load a whole new image on the ECM if desired. The hardware to do that has to be purchased and licensed like anything else, nothing is free these days.

A functioning DRB III goes for $3000-4000 dollars most of the time.

A good DRB III Emulator software package is around $2500. (Good is questionable, even the emulator software has holes in its functionality form all accounts)

The AutoEnginuity programmer is $1700.

All of them require a subscription to TechAuthority for flash files to write ECM or BCM modules. The DRB III only supports 1998 thru 2007 where the AutoEnginuity is 1996 thru 2020 IIRC. If one wants adequate reliable tools it will cost $$.

The other option is take a chance for a couple hundred that these free emulators actually work, won't mess up the write to the ECM, won't eat your computer, aren't full of spyware and trojans, etc. Most of these cheap emulators and software are coming out of China or former USSR and eastern block countries. You know, the groups that hacked the internet edge routers and were capturing all manner of data streams for months before they got caught stealing data and private information.
 
AutoEnginuity can program all those things and more, basically load a whole new image on the ECM if desired. The hardware to do that has to be purchased and licensed like anything else, nothing is free these days.

A functioning DRB III goes for $3000-4000 dollars most of the time.

A good DRB III Emulator software package is around $2500. (Good is questionable, even the emulator software has holes in its functionality form all accounts)

The AutoEnginuity programmer is $1700.

All of them require a subscription to TechAuthority for flash files to write ECM or BCM modules. The DRB III only supports 1998 thru 2007 where the AutoEnginuity is 1996 thru 2020 IIRC. If one wants adequate reliable tools it will cost $$.

The other option is take a chance for a couple hundred that these free emulators actually work, won't mess up the write to the ECM, won't eat your computer, aren't full of spyware and trojans, etc. Most of these cheap emulators and software are coming out of China or former USSR and eastern block countries. You know, the groups that hacked the internet edge routers and were capturing all manner of data streams for months before they got caught stealing data and private information.

Thanks for putting the numbers up, when I was looking and saw those numbers, the $134 tool did look too good to be true, and given the massive price differential, I figure worth a try, even if it didn't work. I scanned the files and did not find any issues using the latest McAfee, now sure it is no guarantee, but frankly at the price difference you can get a stand alone laptop, a refurb would be fine, especially since it needed Windows 7 to work, and still be way cheaper than the other options. I'd pay more for the OEM stuff, but not 5-10 time more, it's just a rip-off, and they are buying the hardware items, from China, likely the same factories. Now the tool I got for GM did scan and warn of trojans so I returned it and I'm looking for another option, one that might include a dedicated PC, since I don't have a Windows 10 Laptop available, and the GM site needs Windows 10 for the online support with the subscription.

I have re-flashed my ECU twice already with the tool, and no problems.. (didn't fix the problem I was trying to fix, but did not create any new problems either). Hopefully later this week I'll have the used ECU I ordered.. best price I could find anywhere in the US was close to $1000, yet I found an ECU that shipped from China, with shipping, for $220.. Of course it could be crap, I'll see soon, but even if so, it can be a core for a purchase on another ECU, and I'd keep the one I have that works, with an annoying CAN communication problem, It seems prudent to have a spare given they seem to be getting more expensive.

I do prefer to by USA, but I'm not made of money and can't afford to be ripped off, and seems that is what is happening on many products these days. Especially maddening is the US supplier that buys it cheap from China, maybe does minor assembly, or just puts a sticker on it, then claims 'MADE IN USA" and charges 10 times the price for an item, and yes I have seen this, it ticks me off.
 
I have a 2004 Land Rover, and do all my own work on it. There were some issues with the ABS sensors, but there was a pretty easy fix for that. I also have a special computer tool for the Land Rover that is locked to the VIN that allows my to do computer diagnosis, it's not a CAN system, one of the last years to not be CAN, but it does have a network of sorts. Having said that, to be completely fair, that Land Rover has about 75K miles, my 2009 Dodge Cummins has about 55K miles.. and I'm dealing with more substantial issues on the Dodge right now with an erratic ECU CAN communications on the network.. I already replaced the TIPM, which apparently was not the problem, unless I got a second bad TIPM.. but my point is generally I have not observed the nightmares many report with Land Rovers, but I don't doubt they happen, there are some issues that if not maintained properly can lead to big expensive repairs, but that is not an issue unique to Land Rovers. Many makes and models have things that need attention to prevent bigger issues.

Any 2004 or newer car is going to have some kind of network, and most will be CAN. Also, any ABS car is going to need a computer interface to properly bleed the ABS pump and valve body. It's actually not difficult, but you do need the right tools to do so. The wiTECH micropod 2 that I linked should be able to do a brake bleed procedure. I also recommend getting the factory service manual from FCA Techauthority online, it ships on a CD disk, and is reasonably priced. With that and the proper computer based tools, you should be able to figure this out... that said, given what you have said thus far, that module needs to be rebuilt, or replaced.. and they generally are not cheap. That said, on the Land Rover, I was able to replace the solenoid shuttle valve portion only on the ABS pump/valve body, which was about $50 and it fixed what is commonly known on Land Rover Discovery 2s as the "three amigos" Since the ABS does more than brakes on that car, when there is a problem with the ABS, you get 3 warning lights, ABS, Hill Decent Control, and Traction control, since all use the ABS to function.

You own and work on a Land Rover??
Those have pretty bizarre electronics and related thought processes for sure!

RESPECT!!!
 
Thanks for putting the numbers up, when I was looking and saw those numbers, the $134 tool did look too good to be true, and given the massive price differential, I figure worth a try, even if it didn't work. I scanned the files and did not find any issues using the latest McAfee, now sure it is no guarantee, but frankly at the price difference you can get a stand alone laptop, a refurb would be fine, especially since it needed Windows 7 to work, and still be way cheaper than the other options. I'd pay more for the OEM stuff, but not 5-10 time more, it's just a rip-off, and they are buying the hardware items, from China, likely the same factories. Now the tool I got for GM did scan and warn of trojans so I returned it and I'm looking for another option, one that might include a dedicated PC, since I don't have a Windows 10 Laptop available, and the GM site needs Windows 10 for the online support with the subscription.

I have re-flashed my ECU twice already with the tool, and no problems.. (didn't fix the problem I was trying to fix, but did not create any new problems either). Hopefully later this week I'll have the used ECU I ordered.. best price I could find anywhere in the US was close to $1000, yet I found an ECU that shipped from China, with shipping, for $220.. Of course it could be crap, I'll see soon, but even if so, it can be a core for a purchase on another ECU, and I'd keep the one I have that works, with an annoying CAN communication problem, It seems prudent to have a spare given they seem to be getting more expensive.

I do prefer to by USA, but I'm not made of money and can't afford to be ripped off, and seems that is what is happening on many products these days. Especially maddening is the US supplier that buys it cheap from China, maybe does minor assembly, or just puts a sticker on it, then claims 'MADE IN USA" and charges 10 times the price for an item, and yes I have seen this, it ticks me off.
They are not ripping you off, they are protecting their proprietary software. They invest millions to develop it for their dealers use. The only reason they provide it to the aftermarket is because they have to by law. If you think FCA is ripping you off, take a look at Tesla. You can't even buy their proprietary software. The federal law says a manufacturer must provide their proprietary software to aftermarket, same as their dealers. But Tesla does not have any dealers so they ignore the law. I'm sure someone will sue them eventually, but for now your on your own if you buy one and want the OEM tool.
 
They are not ripping you off, they are protecting their proprietary software. They invest millions to develop it for their dealers use. The only reason they provide it to the aftermarket is because they have to by law. If you think FCA is ripping you off, take a look at Tesla. You can't even buy their proprietary software. The federal law says a manufacturer must provide their proprietary software to aftermarket, same as their dealers. But Tesla does not have any dealers so they ignore the law. I'm sure someone will sue them eventually, but for now your on your own if you buy one and want the OEM tool.

After buying a vehicle for $40,000 dollars (or much, much MORE).. I should not have to pay $4000 dollars for a tool that cost at most $100 dollars. It is absolutely NOT about protecting intellectual property, I BOUGHT THE CAR, I think I OWN IT. I should have access to the systems IN THE VEHICLE... If I buy a book, I don't then need to buy an expensive tool to open the cover to see what is inside, if I copy and sell that book, that is theft of intellectual property. If I buy a computer with an operating system, I get access to the software and hardware, which contain intellectual property, as long as I don’t copy and sell that property, it’s protected. I make NO PROFIT from repairing my OWN car, and I’m not MAKING NEW CARS so I’m not stealing anything from the OEM, they have no right to demand more profit after the sale by forcing me back to the dealership to do work I am quite capable and willing to do myself. It is crystal clear it's an effort to force you to get your service at a dealership where it's a min of $120 to do anything (and you are correct, they had to be forced by LAW to let independent service stations and individuals have access to their technical data, at a reasonable cost… why did they not do this without the force of law?). When I paid about $120 so they could program my vehicle for add on filter kit, which is a function I can now do with a tool in less than 10 minutes. As I said, I have no issue with buying the OEM service manual on disk, which FCA sells at a reasonable price, and I have it, actually that is WAY better than GM that wants almost $400 for a manual on PAPER, then they tell you it does not have wiring diagrams! RIP OFF! I don't care how you slice it that is not reasonable. I have no issue with the Tech Authority subscription as it is offered, $70 for 7 days is a very reasonable rate, and I don't need it constantly, as I service just one vehicle. It is just not reasonable to expect a tool that is made in a factory in China for less than $100 to be sold to customers in the US for THOUSANDS of dollars (after slapping a "made in USA sticker on it, no less"), that is not protecting intellectual property on a 11 year (or OLDER) vehicle.. it is just a rip off. There would not even be these tools from China available if the price for the tools from the OEMs was not so insanely overpriced to begin with... They have made that market with their pricing.


Totally agree with you on Tesla, which, BTW gets considerable cash from the sell of FCA vehicles, since FCA buys credits from Tesla for it's not meeting the CAFE standards, so literally buying a RAM or FCA product is helping some rich dude get a Tesla.. crazy.
 
You own and work on a Land Rover??
Those have pretty bizarre electronics and related thought processes for sure!

RESPECT!!!

Actually I have TWO Land Rovers, the 2004 has computers and electronics... the other is 1962, which literally has a grand total of TWO fuses for the entire electrical system, and a hand crank start option, with a manual prime handle for the mechanical fuel pump! You can even hand operate the windshield wipers if you like! The simplicity of that 1962 Land Rover is so refreshing in the age of all this computer stuff!

For the 2004, I have the entire Workshop Manual, which was found online in .pdf form, for FREE, and I purchased a VIN locked computer interface device for a reasonable cost, so I can do all the shop computer work as and when needed.

That is in sharp contrast to what I can find for technical data and computer tools from most US OEMs, sadly and ironically.
 
Using the same theory that the tool is only $100, why do all the quality aftermarket tools cost thousand of dollars? Because it isn't just the tool, it is all the R&D it takes to make it work. If it was so easy and inexpensive the aftermarket would not charge what they do.
 
Because it isn't just the tool, it is all the R&D it takes to make it work. If it was so easy and inexpensive the aftermarket would not charge what they do.

Add to that the Chinese are not in the least worried about licensing, intellectual rights, or anything else along those lines. They will plagiarize any and all code they can to make a buck, expect the same thing out of the eastern block.
 
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