Tech1 does not communicate with the 86-89 ABS. It was an off board tester from kent Moore 35890. The OP would probably not be able to find a dealer with these tools. If contemplating long term ownership of these cars, people need to buy the appropriate tools to be able to service the car themselves.

Knowing that the OP recently did suspension work, they likely culprit is s damaged sensor or connector. As mentioned they have been discontinued for a long time. The good news is the rears were the same sensor from 86-96. The fronts went through various changes.

 

Now that the info is a little more defined, here's some info I collected while diagnosing and repairing the abs in my 86 the other year. Some I found online that others generated and some is info I figured out. First 2 was info I found online others had previously posted.

1 After doing some reading about the Bosch ABS 2 system it seems the basic systems are the same with the only thing different being resistance values of wheel speed sensors. I remember a older post on this forum stating that different late model Porche and Cadillac wheel sensors working on earlier C4's and a Google search brought up a gentleman who had success analyzing his Corvette ABS with a old LED 2 tool from Porsche. I decided to take a small gamble and purchace a OTC Mitusubishi ABS Tester MB991131-02. It looks identical to the Kent Moore tool down to the 35 pin connector. I figure at best it works completely or enough to test everything but the wheel sensors and if not I'm not out that much cash. Maybe this will be a lower cost alternative to the Kent Moore tool.

2 someone else stated this: BMW wheel speed sensors work too. (Me) while I was looking for replacement sensors I found some online that looked very similar to what's on my 86. One had 2 sets of mounting holes. Turned out I didn't need sensors so I didn't pursue this further.

3 this is info I gathered looking for replacement relays for mine:
ABS Relays
Update: Went back and started looking up some of the models (vehicles I found that listed the same Bosch relay numbers as those on my 86)
Module Relay 0332002171: BMW E30 ABS Anti Lock Brake Pump Relay 318is 318ic 325i 325is 325ic 325ix
Mercedes W126 W123 W107 W124 W201 relay 0332002171
0 332 002 171 PORSCHE / AUDI / VW OEM ABS PUMP RELAY
Solenoid Relay 0332205003; BMW E30 Mercedes Corvette ABS Pump Breaking System Relay Bosch 0332205003
NEW Bosch Relay (ABS) 0332205003 BMW 34511154919
ABS SYSTEM RELAIS VOLVO 740 - 760 - 780 - 940 - 960 / BOSCH 0332205003

Possible alternative for 0332512006: 0332512007. That one has a skirt that would have to be trimmed, but first look appears it may be the same relay in a different housing.

I was just going against the Bosch numbers on them I wrote down from mine:
Module Relay: 0332512006 - Looks like there's another possible but would have to do a little trimming on it.
Pump Motor Relay: 0332002171
Solenoid Relay: 0332205003


If everything was fine till you did the suspension work, I'd start with ohming the existing cables first. Possible 1 or more is either disconnected or damaged.

Good luck

 

So if unobtainium ... is it still safe to drive with the car ?

 

IIRC, I read an article about this. Seems like people who were brought up with ABS do better with it than without in situations where they are losing traction. Older people who were brought up without it in their formative years do better without it than with. It's that thing about new tricks and old dogs.

So it's safe that you have brakes but no abs. If you are used to abs with all your other vehicles, you may not be as good in panic stops

 

I started driving cars without ABS and I have to admit that i don't fancy it even on my bike it's sometimes likes it is never stopping thanks for your answer

 

Fom what I read, regardless of what it feels like, the human has never been able to beat it consistently although most people think they can. I'm one of the few that will readily admit to being decent but no contest to a properly maintained and designed ABS system.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti...braking_system

 

A qualified yes. If there is no obstructions in the pump etc. the brakes will function like on normal roads but without abs functions (like the pre 86's). Basically the same as if the system is fine and you pull the fuse on it. You will need to manually pulse the brake pedal like I was taught when growing up (pre-abs days) during braking traction situations.
If the pump is plugged, I found some brake line fittings including T-fittings on a dune buggy parts site that would allow removal of the abs pump assembly completely which would functionally put it back like the 85's were assembled. That's also an option if worst case scenario.

If I needed a abs sensor, used is pretty much all you have for oem parts. Now the reference I found to using BMW sensors would definitely be worth looking into. As I noted, I did find some on ebay at the time that looked very similar to the ones on the Vette. One in particular had 2 holes for the mounting screw, whether either would line up would require further checking plus finding out what the ohm value on it would be vs the one on the Vette.

PS when mine failed, it turned out to be one of the relays. Rapping them with a plastic hammer jarred the problem one loose during my testing, which caused me to look for replacements. Once I found them and replaced the bad one the ABS system was back to operational status. The replacement relays were for Mercedes Benz and Porsche, same relays but substantially less expensive than the same ones listed for a Vette.

Hope that helps. Good luck

 

I concur with hcpbh. A lot of the parts are common to same year BMW M3 parts and they may be easier to get "over there" than they are here.
The ABS power relay failed on mine and the local auto parts said "not available". I researched and found the BMW tie in and ordered by part
number. It was $7.75 in freight and a $2.80 handling fee on top of the $43 part cost but it fit s and ABS works again. It came from Germany.

 

Oh thanks ... by the way do you still have the references of the BMW sensors that could replace the Vette ones ? Thanks

 

That was from an old thread I found on abs issues, whoever posted it did not give a part number. When I was looking before I didn't need one, I didn't write down the number either - sorry.

 

Hi, the problem is solved the right wire was disconnected due to the fact that the connector (ceramic) was broken ... a bit of glue and solved. Thanks to all of you for your help and advises

 

Congrats on fixing your issue

 

Good job.... K.I.S.S. is always my first plan of attack! Glad you got it fixed easily.

 

Glad you figured it out