I'm having a problem with my ABS where when I stop hard my lights for ABS freak out a bit, go out and then the ABS and ASR lights both come on. ASR works just fine on its own. I cant figure out what the issue could be with the car. (92 standard trans) Any ideas?

 

Start by checking the brake fluid level...... add fluid, if necessary.
Low fluid may not be your problem, but make sure.

 

Fluid level is good, looks pretty black. I'll be flushing it soon

 

Check the level again, it only has to be slightly low to cause the symptoms you describe, the sensor is very sensitive.

 

Better believe it!

 

If the lights are coming on, its storing codes. These can be read to give you a direction to do in.

If the ABS is activating on slowing to a stop, you maybe having false activation from erroneous wheel speed sensors.

 

my level looks fine... I am running 17" in the front and 18" in the back (bought it that way) do you think that could change anything?

 

Interesting. When I had issues w/my ABS/ASR light ('92), I simply retrieved the codes from the DIC in the dash.

 

you dont need a scan tool.

fromhere
-----Using diagnostic mode-----

To enter the diagnostic mode, you simply ground the diagnostic pin on your car's diagnostic connector (located near the driver's knees). Various DLC connectors were used throughout the C4's life, all with different pinouts; on '94-'96 cars, you connect the fourth pin from the left in each of the two rows of pins to one another, with a paperclip or some other conductor.

When you turn the ignition to "run," you will now be in diagnostic mode, which uses the LCD screen and the DIC (driver information center) buttons for input and output. You may start and drive the car while in diagnostic mode; in fact, the car has to be running for some of the functions to be meaningful. The only disadvantage is you will not be able to see your normal gauges while in this mode since the LCD screen will be in use.

When you start diagnostic mode, the LCD will show you any codes stored in the car's various computers. In '96, Module 1 is the CCM (main/dash computer), 4 is the PCM (engine computer, doesn't show up in '96), 7 is the RTD (computer-controlled shock absorbers, if you've got them), 9 is the EBTCM (antilock brake and traction computer), and A is the DERM (air bag computer). These are cycled through one at a time, with dashes indicating the end of codes for that module. A "C" prefix means the code is currently active, meaning that the relevant parameters are out of range right now; an "H" means the code has been stored in history but is not currently active.

Unlike the car's other electronic systems, such as PCM, ABS, air bags, etc., there is no specific "CCM" lamp to indicate a malfunction when one is present. Instead, the CCM flashes the word "SYS" three times every once in a while on the LCD whenever there are active CCM codes present. If the code thrown is one that involves only the security system, the "SECURITY" lamp will illuminate instead, or they will both flash together if it involves the Fuel Enable Data Stream.

Upon entering diagnostic mode, as mentioned, you will first see a listing of diagnostic codes for each module. Afterwards, you will enter the menu (or you can press any information center buttons to skip to the menu). Did you know there was a menu? I didn't, until I read the FSM.

You'll know you're in the menu when you see the number "1.0". The first digit, before the decimal point, refers to which module you are talking to at the moment, as numbered above. The second digit indicates the menu item. Item .0 means that computer is awaiting instructions. Item .1 displays any codes for that module and .7 clears them. This applies to all of the car's computers/modules. Note that any non-CCM codes will always show up with the "H" as in history, since the CCM does not know whether or not they are currently active.

The CCM has additional options on top of these; .2 and .3 let you cycle through the CCM's stored data and inputs, respectively, and option .4 lets you toggle each of its outputs manually (this part is fun).

To navigate the menu items, use the "gauges" and "trip odo" button. To navigate to the next or previous module, hold down the "fuel" or "trip" button for a second. To select a menu item, press "ENG MET."

One thing that I recommend doing at this point, is see if you have any EBTCM codes stored (module 9 in '96), and then delete them. You will hear the brake pressure modulator valves near the EBTCM click as it resets, and you might suddenly feel that your brakes feel and work much better than before. This was the case for me; I had a lateral accelerometer code, as well as a code from back when my Opti died making the tachometer go crazy. Neither code has come back since I cleared them, meaning that the presence of codes alone was enough to severely effect how my brake functions.

Now for the fun part: The CCM data, input, and outputs. These are options .2, .3, and .4 in the CCM module menu, respectively. After selecting any of these, press "eng met" to go to the next value and "fuel info" to go to the previous. The selections are:


Display CCM Data (Mode 1.2):
01 - Fuel Level (Gallons, tenths)
02 - Dimming Potentiometer
03 - Ambient Light Sensor
04 - Rear Defogger Timer
05 - Vehicle Speed
06 - Pass-Key
07 - Ignition Voltage
08 - Switched Voltage
09 - Cluster dimming
10 - LCD backlight dimming
11 - Radio & Climate dimming
12 - LED dimming
13 & 14 - Vehicle configuration
15 - Oil monitor count
16 - CCM version

Display CCM input status (Mode 1.3):

1 - PassKey fuel
2 - English/metric status
3 - Door key switch
4 - Right Door ajar
5 - Left door ajar
6 - key in ignition but in "off" or "acc" position
7 - hatch ajar
8 - Power door unlock
9 - Power door lock
10 - Parking lights
11 - Rear defogger input (car must be running)
12 - Seat belt switch
13 - High beam switch
14 - Low oil level switch

These values are either "1" or "0," and when toggled, the new value will be appended on to the old value (01 means it was 0 but is now 1).

Cycle CCM Outputs (Mode 1.4):

Selecting these options will manually activate the lights and sounds the CCM produces.

1 - Change oil light
2 - Check gauges indicator
3 - Fasten seatbelt indicator
4 - Security lamp
5 - High beam indicator
6 & 7 - chimes
8 - LCD blanking
9 - Defogger relay
10 - Courtesy lamp
11 - Low oil lamp
12 - Theft relay
13 - DAB relay
14 - door ajar light
15 - Horns (This will actually beep the horns, watch out!)


AND

 

^Exactly!

Great post Merlot!