My 87' with ABS has been sitting for about 2-weeks. I got in it to start it up and the "Antilock" light now comes on & stays on. This is on the information panel and is not the "Brakes" light" indicator.
I checked the brake fluid level which was OK, drove it a few miles, still on.
Made the mistake of loaning my manual out.

Any ideas?

thanx in advance,
streets

 

Check fuses. Do you hear the ABS pump cycle when you first start moving?

Sorry I can't be more help

J :seeya

 

When mine came on, it was because of a broken sensor. If your fuses are okay, I'd check sensors next. They're very easy to check.

 

Check your ABS fuses and then check your ABS sensors to see if they are dirty and covered with grime. If so, clean them.

When the car hits 3mph you should feel a very subtle pulse in the brake pad and here the ABS pump groan behind you.

 

I really apprecite the help guys. Please bear with me on this one. I am totally lost without the manual. I checked the fuses in the main fuse box on the passenger side of the dash. Pulling the only one that said "Brakes," The dash Antilock indicator light went out. Is this the wrong box?
I did everything you suggested scorp, but I don't hear the ABS pump or feel the pulse. The sensors are still sealed & appear to be unbroken .
Is it OK to drive it till I get more time to mess with it?

 

Does the light come on immediately after starting the vehicle, or does it come on once you hit 3-5 mph?

When I first bought my 88, the antilock light was coming on at 3 mph and I neither felt nor heard any indication of the pump working. Because of that I was afraid the unit itself was damaged, but it turned out to be a sensor. There was some great help from the guys on the forum about how to diagnose it, and the best advice I got was to check the sensors first since they're the most prone to go out.

I started out with checking my rear sensors. When you have the wheel off, follow the wire up from the sensor until you see a connector. It'll most likely be fastened to the vehicle by two clips so that it's nice and stationary (at least it was in the rear.. I didn't have to check my front ones). Remove the connector from the clips and carefully pull the connection apart. Then take an ohmmeter and check the two pins on the sensor side. It should measure about 800 ohms if my memory serves me.

My sensors checked out okay, but when I removed the driver side rear sensor the tip on the end was physically broken off. The ohms tested okay, but since it was broken the computer wasn't getting the reading it wanted and was throwing the Antilock light. I bought a new sensor from Jeff Kopp and life has been good ever since.

As was said before, make sure all four sensors are nice and clean. They can get pretty dirty.

I drove mine for about two months like that until I got it fixed. I didn't have antilock brakes, but neither did my old daily driver so it didn't affect me. I see no reason why you shouldn't drive the car, but antilock brakes are nice in bad weather.

Let us know how that goes.. I've got a whole procedure saved on how to diagnose it (thanks to the other forum guys) but hopefully this is as far as you'll need to take it.

 

Thats why this place is great & thanks for the answers. The light comes on when the car is started Tourney3po. I have copied your procedure & will get to it this weekend. It is a relief to know nothing else will get hurt including me. Its my daily driver for a while starting this week, & this new problem had me worried.

Have a Great & Safe Holiday

 

If the light comes on and stays on as soon as the car is started, I'm not so sure it's just the sensors. All the same, let us know what happens. Good luck.