ABS? Help please.

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poniesviii

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The last couple days my ABS has been acting up. Only when I'm stopped, it happened day before last and again today. It happens when I'm at a light with my foot on the brake.

Abs light comes on, flickering almost as if the bulb can't decide if it wants to burn out or not. (for example) and It sounds like an alternator through speakers, but it's not through the speakers.

My clockspring is still broke.

My battery is almost gone. I have a new yellow top but haven't installed yet.

Don't know if that helps troubleshoot, but that's my whole situation. Nothing else I can think of.

Almost acts like a short, but goes away after I let off the brake and hit the gas? Maybe only by coincidence. sp? Like I said, it's only happened twice. Only lasts for a two or three seconds. I think until I let off the brake? I don't f'g know. I know it's annoying, and something's not right.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Looking to do some serious maintenance work all at once this upcoming weekend or the weekend after.
 
Obvious question:

Is the fluid in the master cylinder at the proper level? Though, I think your red brake light would light up for that. Unless there isn't enough fluid in the ABS pump?

Have you tried pulling codes? I don't know if an off the Shelf OBDII scanner can pull ABS computer codes though. I can pull codes on mine through my NG Star Tester.

Maybe it would pay to take it to a dealer and see if there are any ABS codes in the ABS computer...
 
Frogman said:
Obvious question:

Is the fluid in the master cylinder at the proper level? Though, I think your red brake light would light up for that. Unless there isn't enough fluid in the ABS pump?

Have you tried pulling codes? I don't know if an off the Shelf OBDII scanner can pull ABS computer codes though. I can pull codes on mine through my NG Star Tester.

Maybe it would pay to take it to a dealer and see if there are any ABS codes in the ABS computer...
Click to expand...

Yeah, the brake light's not on so I haven't even checked the master. I just replaced all my brakes a couple months ago. Full of fluid and bled properly. Might not hurt to check tho.. even though it's doubtful via no brake light..

Codes won't pull unless the ABS light stays on. Right? Just my assumption. It only has the problem for a brief moment..

Thanks Frogman.
 
poniesviii said:
It happens when I'm at a light with my foot on the brake.

Abs light comes on, flickering almost as if the bulb can't decide if it wants to burn out or not. (for example) and It sounds like an alternator through speakers, but it's not through the speakers.

...

My battery is almost gone. I have a new yellow top but haven't installed yet.
Click to expand...

The alternator doesn't put out much juice at idle. Hitting the brakes turns on about a dozen light bulbs, and in this time of year there's a fair chance that you have the heater blasting along with the rear defroster and headlights.

And with the nearly dead battery not being able to chip in, there's a very good chance that the voltage is dropping enough to make the electronics act up. I noticed that my lights dimmed quite a bit at idle shortly before my battery crapped out. So replace it and see if that takes care of the problem.
 
segxr7 said:
The alternator doesn't put out much juice at idle. Hitting the brakes turns on about a dozen light bulbs, and in this time of year there's a fair chance that you have the heater blasting along with the rear defroster and headlights.

And with the nearly dead battery not being able to chip in, there's a very good chance that the voltage is dropping enough to make the electronics act up. I noticed that my lights dimmed quite a bit at idle shortly before my battery crapped out. So replace it and see if that takes care of the problem.
Click to expand...

Damn good point! However.. 70 degrees calls for no heat. :) But I think my alt is about toast also, being since I was too lazy to hook up the capacitor. :rolleyes:
 
Yeah when my alt died my abs light or air bag light (can't remember which) was acting funny for a while. I'm pretty sure you can scan the abs (plug's behind the passenger headlight) without the light being on. When I did mine though, it didn't narrow the problem down that much. It basically told me I had to hook an abs tool to the actual abs brain in the fenderwell, and I pretty much gave up after that. So for now no abs no traction control, and lots of fun in the snow...
 
What all those guys said about the low voltage problem. I had that exact same thing happen in my '95, along with the battery light and traction control going on and off like your ABS light.
 
Yep, I'll be installing my new battery tomorrow along with a new alternator. And hooking up the cap.

Definately does it when the car idles down, with foot on the brake. Foot off the brake, goes away. It kept up long enough tonight I put my foot on, light and sound, off .. gone, foot on.. light and sound.. off .. gone.

Charging system's just weak right now!

Thanks everyone! :Beer
 
You get you alt. from Maxx? I got a pretty good discount. I couldn't bring myself to buy an Autozone, Advanced auto unit.
 
I don't know where I'm getting it from. One of these parts stores carries a good one I have to make a phone call to find out.

I know Max is a great guy to do business with. But this alternator isn't staying with the car anyways... so I'm not too concerned. :)
 
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