ABS Bypass

Hi,

I have to fix the ABS wire again but am having a hard time getting a nice day that I can do it. In the mean time, every time I turn the steering wheel while breaking the ABS comes on unil it errors and the light goes on. This is posing a potential hazzard. Is there a fuse that will disable the ABS system permanently until I fix the wire?

Thanks,
Robby

Hi,

I have to fix the ABS wire again but am having a hard time getting a nice day that I can do it. In the mean time, every time I turn the steering wheel while breaking the ABS comes on unil it errors and the light goes on. This is posing a potential hazzard. Is there a fuse that will disable the ABS system permanently until I fix the wire?

Thanks,
Robby

You don't have to do anything. It isn't a hazzard.

The ABS is disabled but the brakes still will work normally until the ABS is fixed.

Your system should set a code and light the ABS error lamp while you are backing out of the driveway!!

I don't think you were clear in describing the problem. If I understand you correctly, you are saying that the ABS system is kicking in every time you use any breaking during a turn because the sensors are malfunctioning and it doesn't set a code and trip off the ABS system for some length of time--is that correct?

If that is the case, then this is a safety problem and you should disable the ABS system until you get it fixed. Do that by looking under the hood in the fuse block for a 10a fuse that is labeled ABS. Pull that fuse until you can have the sensor problem repaired.

Coincidentally, I talked with a Ponitiac Montanna (2004) owner yesterday who told me about an ABS sensor problem in his rear passenger wheel. It kept kicking in the traction control system until it had burned up the front passenger caliper and rotor. He saw the error lamps but just didn't get around to fixing the problem in time. :nono:
Not that you are having traction control issues (which can apply brakes with out driver's help), but the point is its a safety issue and you should not drive the van like that.
FInd the fuse and pull it--won't take you more than 5 minutes.
John

Your system should set a code and light the ABS error lamp while you are backing out of the driveway!!

I don't think you were clear in describing the problem. If I understand you correctly, you are saying that the ABS system is kicking in every time you use any breaking during a turn because the sensors are malfunctioning and it doesn't set a code and trip off the ABS system for some length of time--is that correct?

If that is the case, then this is a safety problem and you should disable the ABS system until you get it fixed. Do that by looking under the hood in the fuse block for a 10a fuse that is labeled ABS. Pull that fuse until you can have the sensor problem repaired.

Coincidentally, I talked with a Ponitiac Montanna (2004) owner yesterday who told me about an ABS sensor problem in his rear passenger wheel. It kept kicking in the traction control system until it had burned up the front passenger caliper and rotor. He saw the error lamps but just didn't get around to fixing the problem in time. :nono:
Not that you are having traction control issues (which can apply brakes with out driver's help), but the point is its a safety issue and you should not drive the van like that.
FInd the fuse and pull it--won't take you more than 5 minutes.
John


Yes that is the problem, it's not erroring out unti a few minutes of kicking in when I break usually in turns. I will pull the fuse for now. I picked up the connectors and stuff I need to fix the wire but just waiting for a warmer day to fix it... It's more of a hazzard to have it on right now than not..

Thanks for the tip.

Are you sure its a wire? If the wire is broken the light should come on right away after starting the vehicle and stay on because it failed its self check. As long as the light is on the ABS is deactivated. Usually the symptom you described is caused by a signal dropping out at low speed which is usually caused be a bad sensor, a crack in the exciter ring, or an issue with a front wheel bearing/sensor.

Lots of times the rear tail lights will cause this problem. When you hit the brake, it pulls a current through the ABS system making it seem like you have a bad sensor. This problem is accompanied with both turn indicators showing up dimly in the dash board.
Its just a bad connection at the tail lamp but it can even cause your radio to turn off!

Airjer_ is right; the system should trip out as soon as you start moving if its a bad connector.

Im almost sure it's the wire, I had to fix it a few times and just added a small length of wire to compensate for the broken one. My thought is that it is still connected but either barely or its shorting when wet or moved. I can't beleive the way that the wire is designed, have you noticed how much movement there is when you turn the wheel from one side to the other, its no wonder the wires break!!

I'll attempt a re-fix and see what happens. Problem though, I can't find any fuses for ABS... there is one in the cab for EBC (electronic brake control) and TC (traction control) but nothing else that I can see. I looked in the panel under the hood and in the panel on the side of the dash on the pass side... any ideas?

I looked all over the manual for the location of the fuse and came up empty. The book clearly shows a 10 amp fuse for the ABS system. I'll look more today as I get time and see if I can't find the location of it for you.
John

OK thanks!

What year is it?

I skimmed through some diagrams for a 2000 and found the EBCM is powered along with other things the Ignition 1 maxi fuse and a fusible link off of the starter. Didn't see a specific "ABS" fuse.

For a 1999, (page 5-168) the book shows two fuses for ABS, one marked ABS MDL, 10 amp, the other marked ABS/TCS, 10 amp as well. Both in the fuse block in the right door space. My van has these fuses there.
Not sure what year you have, but there has to be an ABS fuse on the system.

Mine's a 2001... im gonna check if I can find anything online for this but let me know if yall find something else.

Thanks