Need help diagnosing ABS system
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 211
Likes: 1
From: Calgary Alberta
Need help diagnosing ABS system
I cut an orange wire under the rear tray a few years ago thinking it was something it wasn't. (Colour blind) The next time I started the car the ABS light stayed on and the ABS system was dead. I turned off the car and reconnected the wire but the ABS system is still dead and the light is still on. The BRAKE fuse looks ok.
The car is a 1987 auto
Any suggestions?
The car is a 1987 auto
Any suggestions?
Last edited by fast.asleep; Jun 9, 2015 at 01:11 AM. Reason: Added car info
Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 580
Likes: 8
From: Clemson SC
Are you sure the wire you cut was not pink? If so, it goes to the ABS system beneath the compartment behind the driver's seat. I can't remember offhand which fuse, but it is a very important circuit that involves a lot of sensors but is not connected to the BRAKE fuse. I found this when I had a blown fuse and realized there was a short in a circuit. After days of searching and following the wire all over the care including around the back of the hatch, I found the problem was short was in the ABS brake relay in that compartment.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 211
Likes: 1
From: Calgary Alberta
Are you sure the wire you cut was not pink? If so, it goes to the ABS system beneath the compartment behind the driver's seat. I can't remember offhand which fuse, but it is a very important circuit that involves a lot of sensors but is not connected to the BRAKE fuse. I found this when I had a blown fuse and realized there was a short in a circuit. After days of searching and following the wire all over the care including around the back of the hatch, I found the problem was short was in the ABS brake relay in that compartment.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 580
Likes: 8
From: Clemson SC
If you take the plastic bucket out of the compartment that is in the floor behind the driver's seat, you will see most of the ABS brake system, i.e., the pump and most of the electrical devices. The ABS brake relay that the pink wire connects to is mounted down in there. If I remember right, it is on the front side. My relay was shorting out causing the fuse to blow on that circuit. It is not the actual brake circuit but is part of the control circuit that actuates other stuff.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 13
From: Wallingford Vermont
Either A: your wire repair was not adequate. or B: you have another ABS problem that just happened to show up.
I would probably have another go at the wire repairs, and/or verify they are good. Next is to (ohm) check all your wheel sensors.
I would probably have another go at the wire repairs, and/or verify they are good. Next is to (ohm) check all your wheel sensors.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 211
Likes: 1
From: Calgary Alberta
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 211
Likes: 1
From: Calgary Alberta
It looks like my ABS and climate control issues are related. The wiring repair was good but I missed a couple of wires. The way I initially repaired it blew the GUAGES fuse killing my climate control. I'm wiring and testing now but I'll report back with what I found
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