Big Troubles With My Vx

[GRIFTERNYC]

I Just Got A 1999 Vx And The ABS Light Is On. I Went To The Dealer And They Said I Need an ABS Computer Which Is 2500.00 Plus Labor, A Tod Sensor Which Is 350.00 Plus Labor..........
It Needs Regular Maintenece Stuff, All Fluids Changed And Tune-up Also
Anyone Around New York City Where I Could Get Some Help?

This Is 1/2 The Price I Paid For It !!!

[SPAZZ]

Just drive it. It drives just fine without it and after a while you tend to not notice the ABS light on.

Besides, your bank account will appreciate you not wasting half of what you spent on your ride on some not needed piece of equipment just to make the ABS light go off.

[Anita]

You can drive without ABS as Spazz said. Many members here do.

If you dont feel comfortable with that you can find used modules on the net from salvage/usedparts sites. Far less money buying used.

Try www.car-part.com

[johnnyapollo]

I just had the same issue - the dealer quoted me $3300 - with the part at $2700. The good news is that the same unit will fit these models:

- 1998 to 2002 ISUZU TROOPER 4x4
- 1998 to 1999 HONDA SLX 4x4
- 1999 to 2001 ISUZU VEHICROSS

I bought one used from Pam's Automotive for about $100 shipped to the US:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWN%3AIT

They offer a lifetime replacement guarantee (to the original purchaser only during the ownership of the vehicle). They also have more if you're looking for one. Cost me about an additional $60 to have it installed and the brakes bled.

-- John

[VehiX]

Just how exactly does the ABS computer fail?

[kpaske]

You might also consider getting a "second opinion". To the best of my knowledge, only the dealership can read the ABS codes (please, someone correct me if I'm wrong), so you're stuck dealing with them, at least for a moment. But you might want to consider bringing it to another Isuzu dealer and asking for a "diagnostic", claiming that you intend to do the work yourself. The diags will cost you about $94, but they have no incentive to lie to you about what they find if they don't think they'll be doing the work. I would do this regardless of whether I am considering using that shop or not because it makes them think you know a thing or two about cars and they are much less likely to try to rip you off.

I'm not saying necessarily that this dealership is trying to con you, but I wouldn't put it past ANY mechanic unless you've had positive dealings with them before. Your ABS light could be any number of things (mine happens to be a $300 speed sensor) so before spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars, I would make sure you know what you're paying for. Plus, this forum is all about helping folks like you and me learn to maintain our own vehicles so we don't have to be at the mercy of the "stealership".

Then again, like others have mentioned, you could always just ignore the light. I've been driving with mine on for months now and it's not doing any harm. However, I suppose you are taking the risk that if you got into a major accident and your braking system was a factor, if it comes out that you failed to maintain the safety equipment on the vehicle you could be found at fault. That's something that I keep rolling around in the back of my head (with all the rocks and junk).

Kyle

[johnnyapollo]

First try to have the code pulled at Autozone or someplace that's free - Mine pulled Code 43: FR Holding Solenoid Valve - Shorted or Disconnected Coil/Wiring (B-12).

Looking further in the manual, the suggestion is to replace the EBCM (Electronic Break Control Module) or EHCU (Electronic Hydraulic Control Unit) depending on what book you reference (I think they are two different names for the same thing). Basically, the ABS unit was bad. I first tried the various online rebuild specialists but was told that the Bosch unit that is used in the VX is un-rebuildable.

If the code doesn't make sense you'll need to get an Isuzu specific reader (I think they charge $80 at my local dealer).

-- John

[Ldub]

Just how exactly does the ABS computer fail?

poor grades ???

[Maugan_VX]

mine failed recently as well. Thankfully it was under warranty.

[GRIFTERNYC]

for the advice, but beleive it or not allllllllll it was was a single fuse!!
Thanks to Rubu and Jerry the Parts guru for all your help
Rubu found the probem is 10 minutes while the damn Jersey dealer had the car for 2 days and charged me 200.00 !!
I would call the attorney general of Jersey but the government is out of biz right now

[magda76]

How did you find out it was the fuse?
I just took mine to the dealer with the same diagnosis. Looking for alternatives.

Cheers,
Magda

[johnnyapollo]

There's a 20 or 30 amp fuse under the hood - check to make sure it's still good (replace with another fuse from the box with the same amperage and try starting to see if the light goes away). That will eliminate that possiblity at least.

-- John

[FizzEd5]

I need a electronic brake control module, and I searched everywhere with no luck. anyone know specifically where I can get one.

[ameetw]

There's a 20 or 30 amp fuse under the hood - check to make sure it's still good (replace with another fuse from the box with the same amperage and try starting to see if the light goes away). That will eliminate that possiblity at least.

-- John

Is there a name to go with that fuse like "ABS" or something?
Not trying to be funny, mine is all in Japanese and a bit of English. I really don't want to spend RM10,000 for the ABS unit. 1 USD = 3.8 RM

[BlackVX]

I got the same problem on my 99 vx. I'll check the fuse tonight to see if that will fix it.

I already sent some requests for the ABS unit to the junk yards listed here.

I wouldn't mind to drive with the ABS light on all the time but the VX wouldn't pass its annual emission inspection from the Virginia state. So I have one month to fix the problem.

This thread is very helpful. If I get lucky, it looks like that I will save at least $2500 because of you

Thanks,
Michael