ABS Problem-ideas?

[lumber]

So hopfully someone may have experienced this and you can provide me with an insight into my problem.

I have a 96 legacy wagon. It has about 122k on it . Today i was driving to work and I noticed that the ABS light was on. I did not think too much about it because it briefly occured before a few months ago. During the course of the day i went outside and noticed a noise from my car kind of like a motor running. I looked under the hood and found that it was coming from the abs unit on the front passenger side of the engine compartment. The car was off and had been for a while, the unit was a bit warm. regardless i unplugged the connection near the unit and it shut off.

I have no loss in breaking or any other problems and I do not appear to be losing any fluid of a noticable amount.

Any suggestions on what might be going on? Fixes...suggestions for what to look for.

thanks for the help.

[SUBARU_TECH]

sounds like you need a new unit.i would have it inspected properly since this unit cost alot.

[LaffTAF]

most likley a sensor is bad....have the code pulled to see which one

[sroamer]

Hi. I have had the same symptoms with my 2006 Legacy wagon, starting at about the same mileage as yours. Did you resolve yours? thnx...

[sha_zapple]

Originally Posted by sroamer

Hi. I have had the same symptoms with my 2006 Legacy wagon, starting at about the same mileage as yours. Did you resolve yours? thnx...

You have 122k on a 2006? jesus, I guess warranty work isnt an option.

There are small gearlike rings on each axle. These tell the ABS system how fast the car is going in relation to another under breaking. If there dirt in them it will turn the ABS on . however that doesnt really sound like your problem (might as well check though). Get some codes pulled at the dealer and go from there.

[sroamer]

Thanks for the input. Some more information: I have 145,000 on the car now. The ABS light coming on with a constant humming from the unit can be solved by lightly tapping on the relay under the plastic cover to the left of the ABS unit. Probably a sticky relay?

The ABS light however consistently comes on when it is cold and wet, i.e. WHEN IT'S SNOWING! It goes off when the car is shut off and then restarted. But, as soon as I accelerate, the light comes back on and stays on.

Would these symptoms indicate an electrical "short" or ground fault? Perhaps, water getting into the wheel sensors? Or, does the need for wheel motion indicate that there is some minor degree of slippage when the road surface is wet and perhaps there is some difference between sensors?

Thanks!

[Bizzy102]

I have the same problem. But I have a code 22, right front wheel sensor short, I checked the sensors puls width and it was goood. I also checked the ring on the hub and it looked okay. I will clean anyway to rule out dirt or crud since this problem started when I was stuck beind a salt truck.. I wil let you know whats the 411...

[sroamer]

Thnx. Good ideas. Of course, whenever my ABS light has come on, I have been far away from a place to get the codes checked. But I can check/clean the sensor contacts..