Want to read the honest review of Ancel FX4000? Then you’ve landed on the right page.
(4.6 / 5)
Being a mechanic, I was looking for a scanner that could scan vehicle of different brands.
Besides, I wanted a scanner that could not only perform basic but also advanced functions.
After buying and testing ANCEL FX4000, I can say that is a brilliant and highly effective scanner.
This is my experience while using ANCEL FX4000.
ANCEL FX4000 FEATURES
1. Perform EPB functions
What I like:
On a day to day basis, I deal with vehicles that have issues with the brake system.
Initially, I used to encounter problems in identifying the exact fault within the brake system.
That’s when a mechanic friend of mine recommended ANCEL FX4000.
My latest encounter involved diagnosing and servicing the entire brake system of a Honda Odyssey.
And honestly speaking, ANCEL FX4000 did an amazing job.
First, I was able to deactivate the brake control system using ANCEL FX4000.
Thereafter I used the scanner to open the brake pads.
After replacing one of the brake pads that were defective and breeding brake fluids, I was able to effectively close the brake pads with the help of the scanner.
It’s basically what I had been looking for.
What I dislike:
While I was working on the braking system, I often obtained a linking error.
However, after turning off the ignition key and turning it back after 10 seconds, the error disappeared.
2. Read and clear ABS errors
What I like:
One of my friends who own a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport was stack on check engine lights.
However, he was not able to figure out the problem.
After reaching out to me, we decided to scan the vehicle using ANCEL FX4000.
In less than a minute we were able to read the ABS error codes.
To make it even better, the ABS diagnostic trouble codes were defined on the screen.
I established that there was severe friction that existed between the ground and the car tires.
We followed the ANCEL FX4000’s on-screen step-by-step instructions to fix this problem.
After fixing the problem and clearing ABS codes, my friend decided to test-drive the car.
The results were excellent. There wasn’t much friction between the road and the tires.
Even more interesting is that the ABS fault codes didn’t pop up.
This is simply an incredible scanner.
What I didn’t like:
I noticed that the scanner could freeze during diagnosis.
I had to reset the scanner, wait for a couple of seconds and turn the ignition on.
Thereafter, ANCEL FX4000 just worked fine.
3. Oil light service reset
My father drives a 2004 BMW and he just loves this car.
After he had seen me perform a number of diagnoses using ANCEL FX4000 he decided to buy his own scanner.
Recently he came to me with oil light service reset codes after he had scanned his vehicle.
After examining the codes I knew it was time to change the oil in the car.
We put fresh clean oil and cleared the error code.
After turning on the ignition and powering the engine, the error was gone.
After a week he called with good news. His BMW was doing fine and error code had not popped up.
ANCEL FX4000 is truly a reliable scanner.
What I didn’t like:
When I connected the ANCEL FX4000 to 2004 BMW the system it initially failed to read the serial number from the scanner.
However, after connecting to my PC and using a USB cable to update the software, the system was able to read the serial number.
COMPATIBILITY
What I like:
I find ANCEL FX4000 having an edge over other scanners that I have used before when it comes to compatibility.
Even with my line of work, I haven’t come across a vehicle that I couldn’t scan with ANCEL FX4000.
When I checked the manufacturer’s manual it says that ANCEL FX4000 can scan over 40 global vehicle brands.
It can scan all vehicle manufactured in the US as from 1996, 2003 Asian, 2001 European and any other OBD2/EOBD cars.
I find this scanner really ideal not only for DIYers but also for mechanics who own small mechanic shop.
What I didn’t like:
I find that the ANCEL FX4000 scanner can give false codes when diagnosing OBD1 vehicles.
But the codes were accurate when scanning 0BD2/EOBD cars.
Bonus: Cheap OBD2 Scanner: The 7 Best on the Market Review 2018
PROS OF ANCEL FX4000
- Performs multiple functions
ANCEL FX4000 has enhanced my confidence in vehicle maintenance.
I can accurately perform functions such as reading and clearing codes, battery controls, and steering sensor calibration.
Other functions that I can perform with scanner include diagnosis of ABS, SRS, and IMMO systems among others.
- Read, graphs, and record live data
The fact that ANCEL FX4000 is able to read and record all the live sensor data is really beneficial for me.
I can playback the data and deeply analyze the diagnostic codes even when I am not near the car.
It has greatly enhanced my efficiency.
- Multilingual
When I was updating the software recently, I was surprised to learn that I could do in many languages.
When I checked the manufacturer’s manual I discovered that ANCEL FX4000 supports ten languages.
These languages include Dutch, German, Korean, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Polish, French, Spanish, and English.
- User-friendly
Honestly speaking ANCEL FX4000 has amazing hotkeys.
The hotkeys allow me to scan vehicle incredibly fast and easy. I can clear codes with a single touch of a button.
Besides, I can navigate from one code to another using the hotkeys.
The on-screen step-by-step guide is another feature that has overly increased my diagnostic capabilities.
Even what seemed complex has become a no-brainier task for me.
- Free online lifetime update
Buying ANCEL FX4000 was a onetime deal for me. I only had to spend money once.
This is because I can always go to the online store and do a free software update.
It means that I can scan even the latest models using ANCEL FX4000.
CONS
Slow response of ECU to ANCEL FX4000 in some foreign car models.
While I was scanning Subaru BRZ Coupe for one of my friends, it took longer than anticipated to get a response from ECU.
I kept getting an operating error. However, after switching off and on the ignition I finally got a reading.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Having a background in mechanics, I really love using this scanner.
However, my father has one of this and he is really finding the scanner easy to use without any background in mechanics.
I can confidently say that ANCEL FX4000 is basically built for DIYers as well as mechanics who own small mechanic shops.
COMPARISION OF ANCEL FX4000, Autel MaxiCOM MK808, AND TryAce OBD 2 scanner
1 | 2 | 3 |
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 (4.6 / 5) |  (4.3 / 5) |  (4.8 / 5) |
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Can perform both basic and advanced functions. | Can perform both basic and advanced functions. | Can perform both basic and advanced functions. |
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Suitable for both professional and DIY consumer | Can be used by both DIY consumers and professional users | Enough features to suit both a DIY and professional mechanics |
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Transmission system diagnostic, SRS, SAS, ABS, EPB, IMMO, and ACC system diagnostic functions. | Transmission system diagnostic, SRS, SAS, ABS, EPB, IMMO, and ACC system diagnostic functions. | Transmission system diagnostic, SRS, SAS, ABS, EPB, IMMO, and ACC system diagnostic functions. |
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THE BOTTOM LINE
ANCEL FX4000 has taken my ability to service and repair vehicles to the next level.
I can diagnose and fix most of the problems in all OBD2 car models.
It’s a scanner that I would recommend it to any DIYers who wants to cut cost on maintenance and for mechanics who own small shops.