is there any way to force cycle ABS pump motor in an rx8 without oem tool only mazda dealers have? There is no abs relay, just fuse, so I'm guessing all the relay action happens at the abs unit. any advice would be appreciated.

 

Well I'll suggest the obvious one - drive on a slippery surface and stand on the brake




What do you need to activate the pump for?

 

...

trying to bleed abs chamber. I am aware you usually don't need to do this, but I think I need to do it.

 

why?

 

Make friends with your local dealer There are some things that the iDS is just needed for...and troubleshooting the CAN modules is so much easier with one

 

I guess I can try it. I just know it's most likely going to be waste of a whole day waiting in the lobby while they conclude that the problem has to be the engine swap, transmission swap, ecu/abs relocation, and whatever else I changed with the car.

pardon my ignorance but what does ids stand for? can I just buy one?

 

Go in and talk to the service manager and find out who the best tech is with the computer....usually one guy has a clue

If they make stupid excuses and don't listen then you will need to go someplace else

I'm lucky I guess....I have a dealer that has a tech that will listen to me and do what I want....or will give me the iDS to do it myself

iDS is Mazda and Fords computer from the time period that Mazda and Ford were joined at the hip

 

is this it?

2015 VCM II VCM for Ford Mazda V94 IDS Multi Language Diagnostic Tool IDS V94 | eBay

 

here is another?
2015 New Arrival Vxdiag VCX Nano for Ford Mazda 2 in 1 with IDS V95 | eBay

 

Those are Chinese knock offs.....and sometimes they function and sometimes they don't

Trick is getting the correct software...and your as-built data from Mazda Tech

The " As Built" data is a bunch of numbers (hex #'s I think) that you program into the computer to get the modules initialized

 

thanks so much for the info, especially for introducing me to that term "iDS". that's definitely the missing link between what I know and the world of controlling CAN bus system. bunch of youtube videos also on it I will try out the dealership. when they fail, there seems to be a few options including abs wheel speed sensor simulator which will activate the abs. pretty neat stuff!

just hope my abs issue is due to trapped air in the abs unit.