[Solved] 1992 Bonneville SE ABS "Randomly" Engagin
#1
[Solved] 1992 Bonneville SE ABS "Randomly" Engagin
Hello Everyone,
First of all, I've been browsing for a while and thank you for all of your insight! This is my first Bonne -- I recently had it donated to me from my church, so I'm still in the process of learning about it.
Here'* the most recent problem:
I have a '92 Bonne SE and the ABS Light recently started coming on. At the same time, the ABS system has been "randomly" engaging upon braking when it should be unneeded. This is a problem, as sometimes when attempting to brake slowly, instead the ABS will turn on, and the car will screech to a halt. Once the pedal is released, the ABS always turn off. Otherwise, when the ABS isn't engaging mistakenly, the brakes work normally/perfectly.
As far as I've read, it looks like this might be a wheel speed sensor. I'm not sure where exactly these are, but is this also what ya'll think it is, from these symptoms? If so, is this something I can change?
Is it possible to disable the ABS (i.e. with taking out a fuse, or etc.) in order to drive the car/brake the car without worry until it'* fixed? Though it'* nice, I don't *need* ABS, so this would be an option for me. Also, we (my wife and I) need to use the car soon, so this would be a big plus.
Thanks everyone, I appreciate your help.
[edit] Problem solved below: http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...t=76981#861757[/edit]
GS
First of all, I've been browsing for a while and thank you for all of your insight! This is my first Bonne -- I recently had it donated to me from my church, so I'm still in the process of learning about it.
Here'* the most recent problem:
I have a '92 Bonne SE and the ABS Light recently started coming on. At the same time, the ABS system has been "randomly" engaging upon braking when it should be unneeded. This is a problem, as sometimes when attempting to brake slowly, instead the ABS will turn on, and the car will screech to a halt. Once the pedal is released, the ABS always turn off. Otherwise, when the ABS isn't engaging mistakenly, the brakes work normally/perfectly.
As far as I've read, it looks like this might be a wheel speed sensor. I'm not sure where exactly these are, but is this also what ya'll think it is, from these symptoms? If so, is this something I can change?
Is it possible to disable the ABS (i.e. with taking out a fuse, or etc.) in order to drive the car/brake the car without worry until it'* fixed? Though it'* nice, I don't *need* ABS, so this would be an option for me. Also, we (my wife and I) need to use the car soon, so this would be a big plus.
Thanks everyone, I appreciate your help.
[edit] Problem solved below: http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...t=76981#861757[/edit]
GS
#2
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well id bet the farm that the actual root of the problem is one or both of your hub assemblies.(prob just one). i know of people that have just pulled the fuse and the car/truckwas perfectly fine. but, you said u dont want to pull the fuse for some reason. what else is on that circuit? but i guess you could unplug the sensor from the hub. im not sure how the car would react to that though.and i really woulnt recomend any half assed fix over doin it right. which would be changin the hub.
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yeah it kinda sux that u have to cahange the whole huband not just the sensor, but hey whata gonna do. and theyre a lil expensive too. bout $120- 150 range.(ball park)
#5
I think you misunderstand -- I wouldn't mind pulling the fuse at all if you think that will not be a problem; that was part of my question =)
I wouldn't mind doing without ABS at *all*, if it means that I can drive the car =)
Do you suggest just pulling the appropriate fuse, then?
I'll check to see what else is on the circuit -- to be honest, I don't know.
Thanks for your replies so far =)
[edit]In the Manual, ABS is listed by itself next to a fuse. Should it hurt anything to just pull that fuse and disable ABS?[/edit]
GS
I wouldn't mind doing without ABS at *all*, if it means that I can drive the car =)
Do you suggest just pulling the appropriate fuse, then?
I'll check to see what else is on the circuit -- to be honest, I don't know.
Thanks for your replies so far =)
[edit]In the Manual, ABS is listed by itself next to a fuse. Should it hurt anything to just pull that fuse and disable ABS?[/edit]
GS
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Unplug a speed sensor. It will throw on the ABS light. With the ABS light on, the ABS is inoperative. It doesn't matter if you pull a fuse, unplug a sensor, the ABS module, or whatever it takes to turn the ABS light on. If you unplug a sensor, be sure to secure the wiring.
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as previously stated, i would most recomend changing the hub assembly. but you can pull the fuse and the abs will not come on as you described. but as BonnevillesSince62, said the light will be on, not really a big deal though.
#8
Okay, I unplugged the fuse, and the ABS is now not engaging (yay!). The light is on, of course, but that doesn't bother me, since I know why it'* on constantly.
I'll try to figure out what sensor it is, and check all the sensors to make sure they're plugged in/clean soon -- I'll let ya'll know what I find out.
I did notice that it seemed as if I had to press harder on the brake pedal to slow down/stop, but since the brakes work at all (i.e. I read that if I had mistakenly disabled the ABS pump, the brakes shouldn't work at all), I assume that this was just because I was paying extra attention to it. I drove for about 15minutes without any change in braking power, so I assume it'* stable in any case. Please let me know if there could be another cause, or if this is something to worry about it.
I'll post back when I can check the sensors/hubs; the wife has the car at the moment. Thanks for all your replies and help! Now, soon, on to figure out how to replace a wheel bearing ... fortunately, it looks like there is lots of information about that here on the forums!
Thanks again,
GS
I'll try to figure out what sensor it is, and check all the sensors to make sure they're plugged in/clean soon -- I'll let ya'll know what I find out.
I did notice that it seemed as if I had to press harder on the brake pedal to slow down/stop, but since the brakes work at all (i.e. I read that if I had mistakenly disabled the ABS pump, the brakes shouldn't work at all), I assume that this was just because I was paying extra attention to it. I drove for about 15minutes without any change in braking power, so I assume it'* stable in any case. Please let me know if there could be another cause, or if this is something to worry about it.
I'll post back when I can check the sensors/hubs; the wife has the car at the moment. Thanks for all your replies and help! Now, soon, on to figure out how to replace a wheel bearing ... fortunately, it looks like there is lots of information about that here on the forums!
Thanks again,
GS
#9
Hello Again--
Posting again as an update because the problem seems to be solved!
I had the front driver'* side wheel bearing replaced due to a loud hum in that area, and it just so happened that that was the sensor that had the issue -- or at least so it seems!
I re-plugged in the fuse for the ABS, and the light is no longer lit -- I drove around for a while tonight, and the ABS no longer randomly engages.
We'll see if it engages properly later ... but my guess is that everything with ABS is not just as it should be.
Thanks again for all your help!
GS
Posting again as an update because the problem seems to be solved!
I had the front driver'* side wheel bearing replaced due to a loud hum in that area, and it just so happened that that was the sensor that had the issue -- or at least so it seems!
I re-plugged in the fuse for the ABS, and the light is no longer lit -- I drove around for a while tonight, and the ABS no longer randomly engages.
We'll see if it engages properly later ... but my guess is that everything with ABS is not just as it should be.
Thanks again for all your help!
GS
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