ABS...Real brain teaser.

[Metal_m_a_n]

I got a 92 Lumina with 143,000 miles on it......3.1L engine.....Its got ABS brakes(and the logos on the car so I know its not aftermarket) and theres a really odd problem with them......But I don't think I will be able to diagnose this myself since it is intermitent....Every once in a while when I come to a stop the brakes just seems to give out and pretty much go to the floor.....This happened a few months ago a few times...(my mom who had it before said it did it like 6 months before I got it...it has been doing it kinda bad latley).....and the way I drive its a miricale I haven't rear-ended someone cause it takes so much longer to stop....When this happens the little dash ABS light comes on which I asume means there is a problem.....But it is only on for a short time so I can't hook a code reader or anything to it....If anyone has absolutley any ideas they would be welcome......I just hope I don't rear-end someone before I find out how to fix it.....Also is there any way to just convert it to non-ABS?....Thanks...

[carlos_colion]

Have you check the break fluid level?
Check your brake fluid lines in the car maybe one is leaking.

[Metal_m_a_n]

Fluid level is always where its supposed to be.....I pulled over a few times to check it right after it happened and it was just where it should have been.......Changed all the break fluid out a few weeks ago...The pedal is a bit stiffer now(when it doesn't happen) but it still does the same thing every once in a while....This is really starting to puzzle me.....If anyone knows how to just convert it to non-ABS and it isn't to hard I would rather just do that.....

[goldwinger]

Even if the ABS light comes on then goes off is should still store the error in the ECM so attaching a code reader should still work. It's worth a try. If you pull the ABS fuse it will deactivate the ABS and the brakes will work, but it sounds like you have bigger porblems then the ABS.
If you do pull the fuse for the ABS the light will stay on all the time unless you pull it out too.

[kman1234]

I am having a similair problem. Only aftwer I start my vehicle an drive away the first (and only first time) I step on the brakes my ABS kicks in, even when it is dry. Then it seems to be working ok.

Any Ideas??

[Metal_m_a_n]

I tried the code reader......I was right by Autozone when that happened to me and I took it in there and had them check the codes.....There wasn't any stored for some reason......Thats another puzzleing thing....I figured they would be stored....Maybe my ECM is going out.....But I thought there was another control for the ABS seperate from the ECM???.....Thanks for all the ideas guys.....Kepp'em coming......

[Thunderbolt]

Sounds to me like your master cylinder is taking a dump. Usually ABS problems don't actually cause braking problems like you describe. Just a guess though.

[Metal_m_a_n]

Thats what I thought too....But I have never heard of one that just did it once in a while......Specially with the long long time periods in between.....It went 6 months one time withought doing it......Then like 3 or so......Now it does it more often but still not more than like once a week....Anyone ever hear of them failing like that?.....I don't really know anything about the inner workings of those so I really don't know.....And does anyone know if the ABS should store codes in the ECM?....And if it is supposed to why isn't mine?.......THIS IS DRIVING ME CRAZY....I think my car may be possesed......If I can't solve this does anyone know a good exorcist?

[cadgear]

Aye, some kinda O-ring or other pressure-bearing sealer in the master cyl. If its getting progressively worse, then most likely the piston O-rings are going. Check 'em for cracks, frays, or any kinda knick in the cylinder wall. If its just normal wear you should be okay. If there's a knick, gouge, or unusually large pit in the cylinder, replace it or smooth it out and oversize the orings/piston. Sounds to me like something's going downhill inside the master, like Thunderbolt suggested.

[cadgear]

Clarification, you should be okay meaning you shouldn't have to replace the cylinder. Definitely check the orings and replace them if need be.

[Metal_m_a_n]

I'll give that a try next weekend......I've never tore into one of those before....Any tips or suggestions before I ruin it?.....Or is it fairly simple?.....For this weekend I am taking out my dads 72' Chevelle SS so that aught to take this Lumina off my mind for a while....Lol.....Have a good Memorial Day weekend fellas....Thanks for all the help....I'll let you all know how it turns out....

[heymax]

Originally Posted by Metal_m_a_n

I'll give that a try next weekend......I've never tore into one of those before....Any tips or suggestions before I ruin it?.....Or is it fairly simple?.....For this weekend I am taking out my dads 72' Chevelle SS so that aught to take this Lumina off my mind for a while....Lol.....Have a good Memorial Day weekend fellas....Thanks for all the help....I'll let you all know how it turns out....

I had the same problem and mine turned out to be a corroded broken wire at the connector plug on the right front wheel. There was enough corrosion that it created some contact. Then it got to the point where the light just stayed on all the time and the low trac would start working even on dry pavement. Especially if I was going real slow like when you pull into a parking space. I checked all my connections and found that broken wire. I went to a local junkyard and took one off a 98 Lumina and my brakes work fine now. There are 2 connections. 1 is right on the front hub and the other is on the Strut. The broken wire was on the connector at the strut. Check it out.

[cadgear]

That never even crossed my mind. I just started thinking about regular old brakes, didn't even consider the electronic part of it. I'd check the connections BEFORE going all-out and digging around the guts of your brake cylinder. Thanks for the tip, heymax.

[battlechaser1212]

did it fix ur problem because i had the same problem before it desided to just stay on