How a $150 EBTCM Repair Cost Me $918
10-31-2008, 01:27 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
How a $150 EBTCM Repair Cost Me $918
The Readers Digest Version is:
1) EBTCM Relay Error Code (c1218)
2) I opened the module to replace the relay (-$150)
"In my case the relay had just worked its self loose"
3) Two weeks go by and I started to get a spongy pedal
4) Bled brakes $5 "No luck"
5) Replace Master Cylinder $190 plus $5 in fluid "No luck"
6) Maybe I have Air in the ABS block
7) Buy Motive Bleeder $60
8) Bled the heck out of the system $10 "No luck"
9) Erratic ABS operation
10) Automated Bleed with ATE Blue $13 "No luck"
11) EBTCM has a complete internal failure "Crap"
12) Replace EBTCM $635 "$@%@#%#$$%"
13) Fixed..........
So to recap $150 saved with $918 spent = $768 loss
Plus the loss of my ride for 6 weeks until I could get another EBTCM.
The answer to the question you are waiting for.....
What killed the EBTCM?
From previously posted pics of EBTCM internals you will notice that the various internal components are bonded together with what looks like silicone. When I repaired the EBTCM I added caulk to repair the areas where the silicone was cut.
Well what I neglected to think about was that caulk is water based and in using it for this repair and installing the EBTCM before it cured I sealed the water content of the caulk inside.
In short as the caulk cured it released water inside the EBTCM and caused the board to corrode.
The moral of the story is that by trying to avoid spending $150 I lost over $700, six weeks of driving, and 20 hours of my time.
Next time I will just send it to Brandon (ABSFixer)
BTW the water also slightly corroded the posts of the BPMV which I spent over two hours cleaning up.
Have a happy Halloween
1) EBTCM Relay Error Code (c1218)
2) I opened the module to replace the relay (-$150)
"In my case the relay had just worked its self loose"
3) Two weeks go by and I started to get a spongy pedal
4) Bled brakes $5 "No luck"
5) Replace Master Cylinder $190 plus $5 in fluid "No luck"
6) Maybe I have Air in the ABS block
7) Buy Motive Bleeder $60
8) Bled the heck out of the system $10 "No luck"
9) Erratic ABS operation
10) Automated Bleed with ATE Blue $13 "No luck"
11) EBTCM has a complete internal failure "Crap"
12) Replace EBTCM $635 "$@%@#%#$$%"
13) Fixed..........
So to recap $150 saved with $918 spent = $768 loss
Plus the loss of my ride for 6 weeks until I could get another EBTCM.
The answer to the question you are waiting for.....
What killed the EBTCM?
From previously posted pics of EBTCM internals you will notice that the various internal components are bonded together with what looks like silicone. When I repaired the EBTCM I added caulk to repair the areas where the silicone was cut.
Well what I neglected to think about was that caulk is water based and in using it for this repair and installing the EBTCM before it cured I sealed the water content of the caulk inside.
In short as the caulk cured it released water inside the EBTCM and caused the board to corrode.
The moral of the story is that by trying to avoid spending $150 I lost over $700, six weeks of driving, and 20 hours of my time.
Next time I will just send it to Brandon (ABSFixer)
BTW the water also slightly corroded the posts of the BPMV which I spent over two hours cleaning up.
Have a happy Halloween
10-31-2008, 04:06 PM
#5
Race Director
Sorry the repair wound up costing you, at least you got it fixed and are driving again.
10-31-2008, 05:31 PM
#7
Banned Scam/Spammer
pffft... I got ya beat a few times over. 
1. r/r rear end for new gearing @ $600. One week later.. r/r rear end again to replace tranny seal @ another $600 plus the $80 seal.
2. r/r rear end seals @ $425... Two weeks later.. r/r rear end with new unit 'cuz I ate it up at the strip.
Like you, I LOVE throwing away money.
1. r/r rear end for new gearing @ $600. One week later.. r/r rear end again to replace tranny seal @ another $600 plus the $80 seal.
2. r/r rear end seals @ $425... Two weeks later.. r/r rear end with new unit 'cuz I ate it up at the strip.
Like you, I LOVE throwing away money.
11-01-2008, 10:27 PM
#11
Race Director
By the way, some RTV silicones are corrosive to copper when the silicone is curing and outgassing. Always check a product's data sheet before buying and using it. Most liquid silicone RTV manufacturers make a non-corrosive version that is perfect for potting circuit board assemblies.
11-17-2008, 08:49 AM
#13
Instructor
Member Since: Oct 2007
Location: Mesa Arizona
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1 more ABSFIXER testimonial
Thanks to the many posts in here I printed of the removal instructions and sent mine in to ABSFIXER. Installed the repaired one this weekend in maybe 30 minutes. Works like a charm.
So to ABSFIXER and all who have passed this info on in here Thank You.
They did an awesome job.
So to ABSFIXER and all who have passed this info on in here Thank You.
They did an awesome job.
11-17-2008, 02:08 PM
#16
Melting Slicks
11-17-2008, 03:52 PM
#17
Administrator
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
Posts: 342,950
Received 19,293 Likes
on
13,966 Posts
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-
'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Sorry you had so much trouble, but glad you posted it up for others to learn from.
