ABS problem?

I have a 93 Astro Day Van – a few weeks ago the ABS light stayed on after start up – the brakes still work but are a little soft. I took it to my usual mechanic who said the ABS unit had stopped working, he does not have the correct code reading device (not a lot of call for one in the midde of the UK). I have since phoned another mechanic who specialises in American vehicles (100 miles from where I live) who advised me that the ABS unit might be ok and that a wheel sensor might be the fault. Is there a way for me to get the code? Or any relevant advice would be much appreciated. Thanks

Hi windymiller
I recently had my 2000 astro LS rwd ABS sensor replaced as the light stayed on after my front bearing on t he driver side blew out.
Had to replace the drivers side caliper, both rotors and brake pads. The scanner he hooked up after the repair would not take the ABS light off the dash. So I had to buy a ABS sensor, it retailed for about $160 canadian dollars but I got a deal at the auto parts store for $99 dollars. Simple part to replace when your doing a brake and rotor job as the wheel sensor plate mounts in before the rotor and calliper then has a wire and male type plug on the end that connects back to the part that leads to the engine computer. I believe you will need the OBD II or OBD one type reader to get the code. The ABS light went off right after we replaced the wheel sensor.
Hope this helps

The scan tool must be ABS capable to read DTC's from the EBCM. It's not just your everyday ODB II code reader.

a 93 is OBD1 and can be read by jumpering the pins under the dash to obtain the troble codes. check these links for more info, except jumper pin A to H to get the abs codes: http://www.troublecodes.net/GM/

http://www.obd-codes.com/faq/read-gm-2-digit-obd-codes-free.php

Thanks Eric, good call!

Wow, that's good service, thanks everyone for replying, i'll let you know how I get on. If it turns out to be the ABS unit which make should I go for? Over here we have to trust our mechanics more than in the US simply through lack of choice.

More than likely they'll find a problem with a wheel speed sensor, (one at each front wheel) or the vehicle speed sensor, (in the transmission). Make sure they check the ground connection for the ABS unit also, fairly common for it to corrode.

Wow, that's good service, thanks everyone for replying, i'll let you know how I get on. If it turns out to be the ABS unit which make should I go for? Over here we have to trust our mechanics more than in the US simply through lack of choice.
Post any trouble codes here and maybe we can help you out, but how did an Astro end up on that side of the pond anyway?

I'm unsure what "jumpering the pins" means. If I get it wrong can I do damage?
In reply to ericn, my van started out in Baltimore in 93, then apparently disappeared for a few years before turning up in Japan converted to a day van. It was shipped to Southampton in October 2003 auctioned at the docks and I bought it off the buyer and am the first UK registered owner. There are quite a lot of ex-Japanese day vans on UK roads. You have to be an enthusiast to drive a US vehicle over here with petrol costing the equivalent of about $10 a gallon - long journeys work out pretty expensive.

you jumper the pins by using a piece of wire. a paper clip unbent is perfect. insert on end into the A socket and the other into the H socket. pretty straight forward but if your unsure about it take the instructions to your mechanic and let him do it.

Hello Again,
I've just tried the paper clip jumpering technique – the van displays the code 12 ok but nothing else. Left the clip in for a few minutes but nothing else came up. Does that mean I'm doing it wrong or that there are no codes stored? Any tips on what to try next much appreciated.

Thanks

Hello Again,
I've just tried the paper clip jumpering technique – the van displays the code 12 ok but nothing else. Left the clip in for a few minutes but nothing else came up. Does that mean I'm doing it wrong or that there are no codes stored? Any tips on what to try next much appreciated.

Thanks
Not all ABS codes are stored and many are intermittent. With the ABS light on, indicating an error condition, read the codes immediantly. another link to ABS codes and jumpering specific to your vehicle can be found here: http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/11/ae/65/0900823d8011ae65/repairInfoPages.htm Try it again.