Brake warning light on - ABS not working?

[James Thomas]

Re: Brake warning light on - ABS not working?

Just to let you know, and I don't want to say that "agree with this" or not but a legal ruling in the 9th Fedral Court states "Any vehicle owner or service technican, professional or other wise that tampers, removes, modifies or in any way changes the saftey of or systems there of said on road vehicle, knowingly or otherwise, shall be libal to the fullest extent of the law both criminally and civilly for any and all damages that occur from said modification with regard to accident or injury. Furthermore,
knowingly and willfully tampering saftey systems that result in injury or direct danger to the general public at large shall be regarded as with malice of forthought". Sorry boys, it may never happen to you and mostlikly will not. But...... if for any reason there is a question and your ride is checked and found to have been modified in any way regarding saftey equipmnt and the accident was your fault, your screwed and also the guy who did the mod, removal etc. There is a D.O.T. / N.T.S.B. reg. that covers this.

The poor bastard that was in this wreck removed the A.B.S. from his Vette and hit a car while street racing and killed the driver of the other car. He was injured but not badly due to the chassis, harness and fire bottle. Not sure how or why, obvious mods for performance the speed involved whatever, they did an inspection and he and the shop tech. that did the frame / suspension and brake work were charged with saftey tampering and willfully abetting vehicular manslaghuter. Both owner and technican reciecved 9 yrs. and then all parties including the shop were sued for and settled an undiclosed amount.

Word to the wise, be safe or be smart or both. The A.B.S. on my cars stays unless it's atrack only car and that includes Ty!
_____________
James Thomas

 

[SBNova]

Re: Brake warning light on - ABS not working?

I pulled my ABS codes and had a 21. I deleted the code using the paper clip method, checked the plug on the front wheel sensor, disconnected the battery for a few minutes and drove the truck. I stilll have the ABS light coming on when I go over about 15 mph. It stay on until I go slower than 15, then it goes off. I rechecked the code- and all I get is 15. I thought I read 14 was "no codes", but I clearly see 15, even when I had the 21 code present.

I tried to disconnect the ABS unit, by the Red/Black plug and I got a brake light and an ABS light- both on constant. With codes to check unit grounds, something like 66 and 86. It seems I cant make the light go away, and I cant unplug it either.

Has anyone got any ideas on how to fix this?

 

[six_wheeler]

Re: Brake warning light on - ABS not working?

Ummm, ok, another stupid question... my truck doesn't seem to have an ABS light! Am I missing somehting here? Maybe the ABS is actually working but I don't know it? Only the "brake" light is on, and the rear wheels do lock up under (very) hard braking.
The million-dollar question: What exactly goes wrong with the ABS rendering it inoperative? Can it be fixed?

TIA,
Shady

 

[six_wheeler]

Re: Brake warning light on - ABS not working?

SBNova, what kind of gadget did you use to pull the codes?

Shady

 

[Flyin Ryan]

Re: Brake warning light on - ABS not working?

I tried to disconnect the ABS unit, by the Red/Black plug and I got a brake light and an ABS light- both on constant. With codes to check unit grounds, something like 66 and 86. It seems I cant make the light go away, and I cant unplug it either.

When mine finally died on me I had the idiot light in my face for about two days straight before I unplugged all three weather pack connections from the unit which of course killed the idiot light.. then I by passed the unit and took it out because it sucked in the first place imo.

SBNova, what kind of gadget did you use to pull the codes?

Shady

You can use a paperclip

 

[SBNova]

Re: Brake warning light on - ABS not working?

Use a paperclip between the A and H terminals, otherwise its just like pulling engine codes. The ABS light will flash in sequence corresponding to numeric codes.

 

[SBNova]

Re: Brake warning light on - ABS not working?

I thought I would add this information that I just uncovered. I believe its a direct link to my ABS problem. I was at Advance Auto Parts and saw a book about ABS. I thumbed through it and found the section about our system. Now I was getting an ABS light only when I go over +/- 15 mph, and my only code was 15. I read that 14 was normal for no codes, and I figure it must be a typo or something. Mine is definately a code 15. I couldnt find anything listing a code 15 on the web.

Anyway, the book lists code 15 as normal- If your pulling the codes with your foot on the brake pedal . My problem started right after I pulled the brake switches apart because I had no brake lights. There are two switches down there. One has two plugs- one for the brake lights and one for cruise control I think. The other has one plug and one approx. 5/16 hose. I think the one with the hose may connect to the ABS. I am gonna check this out, and I will post my findings. Hopefully this is my cure!

 

[SBNova]

Re: Brake warning light on - ABS not working?

My ABS light is off!!! It was my brake switch the whole time. I adjusted it and the light stays off now.

 

[six_wheeler]

Re: Brake warning light on - ABS not working?

1. I don't seem to even have an ABS light! The light I talked about in my original post was the one that is supposed to come on only when I engage the emergancy brake.
2. I never got an answer from you guys on what typically goes wrong with the ABS. Anyone?

 

[Flyin Ryan]

Re: Brake warning light on - ABS not working?

1. I don't seem to even have an ABS light! The light I talked about in my original post was the one that is supposed to come on only when I engage the emergancy brake.
2. I never got an answer from you guys on what typically goes wrong with the ABS. Anyone?

did you read thru the codes? wheel sensors go bad and theres a certain way to bleed the lines.. something about not pushing the piston back in or something because dirt will clog up inside the abs modual causing damage etc..

 

[SBNova]

Re: Brake warning light on - ABS not working?

Six_wheeler - when you push down the e-brake you shoud see a red "brake" light come on while the engine is running, or maybe just with the key on. The ABS or "anti-lock" light is yellow and should light up when you turn the key to the on position without starting the engine. It should remain on for a few seconds then go off. The red "brake" light will do the same, as will the check engine light- although it stays lit until the engine is started.

Check that out and report back. If you see those lights with the key on, and no lights while driving then you are fine.

 

[six_wheeler]

Re: Brake warning light on - ABS not working?

That's the thing! I see no "ABS" light coming on, neither when I turn on the ignition nor after starting the car. It never comes on - that is, if there is one in the first place, or the bulb isn't burned out! (My truck is the Saudi version, which came with a different gauge cluster.)

Shady

 

[SBNova]

Re: Brake warning light on - ABS not working?

Im not sure if the saudi has one, but it sounds like your is disconnected or burned out if its there. Try to read through the lenses- maybe shine a flashlight at them.