C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

ABS Causing Pedal Pulsation?

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Old Jan 6, 2013 | 05:04 PM
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Default ABS Causing Pedal Pulsation?

1995 w/ 26,500 miles. I get pedal pulsation when braking, but not all the time. This leads me to believe that the ABS is working when it doesn't need to. Can this be caused by air bubbles in the brake lines and would bleeding the brakes cure it? Car is driven carefully.
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Old Jan 6, 2013 | 05:18 PM
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You may have a warped rotor.
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Old Jan 6, 2013 | 05:22 PM
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If a rotor were warped the pulsation would be constant. It's intermittent.
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Old Jan 6, 2013 | 06:21 PM
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Originally Posted by ccrvtt
If a rotor were warped the pulsation would be constant. It's intermittent.
I had a warped rotor that caused intermittent pulsation. Strangest thing I'd ever experienced related to brakes. New rotors corrected the problem.
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Old Jan 6, 2013 | 06:28 PM
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Try retorquing the wheels.
You could also disable the abs & drive it.
Sometimes a pulsation will get worse as the rotor get hot.
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Old Jan 6, 2013 | 07:39 PM
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Originally Posted by ex-x-fire
Sometimes a pulsation will get worse as the rotor get hot.
ding-ding.
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Old Jan 6, 2013 | 09:29 PM
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Originally Posted by ccrvtt
1995 w/ 26,500 miles. I get pedal pulsation when braking, but not all the time. This leads me to believe that the ABS is working when it doesn't need to.
If ABS is causing this, you should see the "ABS Active" light coming on.
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Old Jan 7, 2013 | 01:02 AM
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The abs system does a self test from the car being started at around 5-10mph, you may notice the pulsation thru the pedal if you have your foot on it. Apart from that the ABS should only activate if a sensor notices a wheel slows more than the others. You should also hear the rapid pulses as the ABS is under the rear storage compartment and thru your brake pedal. Check your abs sensors for any visual signs of damage, and they have not lost a retaining bolt. As for air in the system it should not affect the abs, (the ABS should only work when a wheel is about to lock) just give you a spongy pedal all the time.

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Old Jan 7, 2013 | 06:40 AM
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How about a bad wheel bearing? I could see a wheel bearing cause this if worn enough to cause the teeth (reluctor) not to align with the sensor!
Just a thought.
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Old Jan 7, 2013 | 08:01 AM
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Originally Posted by ex-x-fire
Sometimes a pulsation will get worse as the rotor get hot.
Originally Posted by ben dover
ding-ding.
When the rotor is cool it may have no pulsing as it warm up the pulsing will start. I have seen this many times.
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Old Jan 7, 2013 | 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by ccrvtt
1995 w/ 26,500 miles.
If a car sits for weeks at a time in a humid environment it can develop surface rust on the rotors. The rotor doesn't rust under the area protected by the brake pads. This "clean" spot can cause shudder or pulsation until the rust wears away.

Originally Posted by ccrvtt
Car is driven carefully.
That could do it too.
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Old Jan 12, 2013 | 03:09 PM
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SO I have a Question? My 1987 does the same thing...ABS light comes on and pulsating starts, but off and on...I checked the ohm and they are different are the suppose to be the same?
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Old Jan 14, 2013 | 02:58 PM
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My 90's peddle never pulsates nor does the light come on except when I turn the key to on so I know the light works. I've even panic stopped on purpose and no pulsing nor did the light come on and none of the wheels locked up.
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