Anti Lock Brakes

[Dean Brown]

Hello,

My ABS system turns on and off whenever it wants. Cold, Hot, wet Dry, sometimes it's on sometimes it isn't. It'll even turn off on highway driving with no brake usage for miles. What should I look for? Oh and it's not a bad wheel sensor, the system will not work.

Thank you!

[tom4bren]

Dean,

Is the ABS light on your dash coming on? I assume that's how you know the ABS isn't working (not by trial & error).

Here's a thread on the control module that is the source of most people's problems with ABS.

IMHO, the VX is better off without the ABS so when my light came on, I just pulled the bulb.

Tom

[vt_maverick]

Hey Tom, did you forget something? ;)

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?threadid=23339

[Marlin]

Dean,

Is the ABS light on your dash coming on? I assume that's how you know the ABS isn't working (not by trial & error).

Here's a thread on the control module that is the source of most people's problems with ABS.

IMHO, the VX is better off without the ABS so when my light came on, I just pulled the bulb.

Tom

x2

[tom4bren]

Hey Tom, did you forget something? ;)

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?threadid=23339

I forgot NOTHING Dood!!!!

I recommended my solution (pulling the bulb).

If Y'all are so anal retentive that you insist on keeping all OEM functionality despite the proof that it's sub optimal, it's YOUR job to detail that proposed solution.:)

Just rattlin yer cage.:) I expect Sue will be on line in about 5 min to give me one of these

:slap:

[Dean Brown]

Yes the light comes on and the ABS is dead at that time. The brakes do work fine without it, I'd just like to keep everything in working order. Thanks for your reply!

[tom4bren]

Then the thread that mav posted is where you need to head. There's another thread somewhere that explains how to read TOD and ABS codes.

[SilverBullet75]

Unfortunately I have the exact same issue/symptoms. I do agree with the opinions of "No ABS = Good" though. I may go the vanishing-bulb route too (with disabling of ABS).

[tom4bren]

Yah, I did the pin 4 bendy thing & light was still on (starting to think that only works on 99 models). I didn't try pulling fuses - I just pulled the bulb.

[Dean Brown]

Thank you again! I'll go the bulb route as well.

[tom4bren]

Dean,

I'm sure you can figure it out on your own but I wrote up a How2 on it.

[vt_maverick]

Well after driving home from Blacksburg last night on a curvy, hilly mountain road that was covered in 8" of heavy snow i found myself cursing ABS as well. Fine for dry weather but downright dangerous in snow. So has anyone ever decided the best way to shut it off temporarily? I know people have said to pull the fuse but there's more than one...

[blacksambo]

Just curious? Why is it bad in snow? We live in "Snow "country and find it a life saver.

[89Vette]

I am also curious. Can't say I've ever cursed an ABS system before.

(Except the one on an 89 Jeep...that used an electric, recycling pump to recharge the system -- after every 3rd brake press. Boy what THAT annoying. Sounded like it had indigestion every few minutes. Now THAT was an ABS that SUCKED!)

[VXorado]

So has anyone ever decided the best way to shut it off temporarily?

My ABS seems to work this way automatically... and opposite from how you would want it. The ABS light is mostly on but the system decides to work in snowy weather. Boggles my mind. :confused:

I don't mind and prefer the ABS in the snow. :thumbup:

[tom4bren]

I don't like ABS on MY VX because I'm running 33x12.50's. The system may have worked well for stock size tires but in my case it causes inadequate braking (especially when towing).

The only other time that I've cursed ABS was on a Dodge van I used to own. I was pulling out of my garage when there was a nice coating of ice on the driveway. When the front tires hit the ice, I couldn't stop the van because the rear brakes were completely non functioning due to the ABS. Dang near ran over one of my kids. I still thank God that the E-Brake was functional because that was the only thing that stopped me in time. BTW, yes - it was rear ABS only back in those days.

[Anita]

My ABS went out a loooong time ago and went through the process of picking up a 2001 hydraulic module and ECM computer from less than a year old 2001 Vx that rolled.

While waiting for the parts to be sent to me I decided I had much better control of the truck. In my case, ABS put me in harms way twice and that was enough for me.

pull da bulb!

[tom4bren]

Yes, notice in this pic how much straighter the non-ABS unit tracks whilst braking ... & stopped a full length shorter too!


http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/ABS4.jpg