ABS Disconnect?

Jersey Tahoe LT · June 8, 2003

Is it possible to just disable the ABS? I hate it. Especially while Wheeling in the woods. And on the road they are kicking in every once in a while again. They only kick in just before I stop. When I need them the most. WTF is up with them. I would love to just disconnect the sensors but will that screw up the break system? I could lways just pop out the light that stays on. Thanks for any info you have. Oh and it is a 99 tahoe. And there are no TSB's that I could find.

Later,

Brandon

cdnav8r · June 8, 2003

You would think ABS would deactivate once you put it in 4WD, but it doesn't deactivate in my Jimmy either. I don't think they thought things out too well.

99silveradoz71 · June 8, 2003

I know the guys that were having computer module problems were pulling the fuse under the hood. Now without a unit that's running all the time, I have no idea what might happen.

Shaners · June 9, 2003

If you don't want them at all, then I would just pull the fuse.... It kinda seems like a waste of a good safety feature though...

bigtruck21 · June 9, 2003

You might be able to unplug them at the wheels too, like my dad's 95 1 ton. ABS is a good concept but poor engineering. It needs to lock up the wheels at 5-10mph so we don't have to shift in to neutral to get the truck to stop when slick. It was only two wires going into a plastic connector that we unplugged on his. Hasn't done anything bad except his light is on. He likes it better though.

awdvkd · June 9, 2003

The ABS system is a good one! As stated earlier, it needs to lockup the last 5-10 feet. Thats what it is supposed to prevent. In slick weather or snow new rolling tread will stop you better than a tread on a tire that is locked up. What is why they teach to pump your brakes in a slick road situation. It just take some getting used to it. I have had extensive training in emergency vehicle operation and the best thing to come along in years is the ABS system. The bad part about it is that when it goes out it usually cost about a grand to fix and people just unplug it. Just my 2 cents.

512silverado · June 9, 2003

I just unplugged my ABS computer module when it went out about 8 months ago...ABS is still on, and regular hrydraulic brakes are woking just fine...no problems here...didn't like ABS anyway. Stephen

Jersey Tahoe LT · June 9, 2003

Thanks for the info guys. Where is the Module? Is it just down by the wheels? Or is it on the engine compartment? How do i unplug it? I would just pull the fuse but the Cruse Control is on the same circut. Why get rid of it? Because I don't like it. And it is kicking in just before the truck comes to a compleate stop which is really dangerouse. I have almost gone into intersections and rearended people because of this. And I don't have the money to fix it. $900 or $1000 to repai an option that I would not have gotten if I had the choice.

Later,

Brandon

512silverado · June 9, 2003

in my 99 silverado (new body style), it is onderneath the chassis, right below the drivers seat. Mine was easy to find since the computer module went out, the abs pump was just whirring away, making an awful sound...very easy to locate that way.

GnatGoSplat · June 9, 2003

On current body style, you want to just pull the underhood fuse because the ABS connectors will corrode badly if you unplug it down there.

I know from experience.

On current body, nothing else but ABS is deactivated when the ABS fuse is pulled.

bigtruck21 · June 10, 2003

The ABS system is a good one! As stated earlier, it needs to lockup the last 5-10 feet. Thats what it is supposed to prevent. In slick weather or snow new rolling tread will stop you better than a tread on a tire that is locked up.

well, 2 times abs has almost caused an accident. We have a slight downgrade to our driveway. We back down and need to stop to get a view of oncoming traffic. When there is snow, the truck will not stop, I was turning the wheel and going all over but wouldn't stop. I didn't know about the neutral trick and i went right out into traffic while the dam brakes were growling. Narrowly avoided an accident. Learned the neutral trick and it works then. Disconnected the abs, no more problem. Same thing with my new truck going forward down a little grade. Car in front is turning and i'm not tailgaiting. Small patches of snow on the passenger side(most of the road clear). Started to brake and only going slow, but the truck wouldn't stop. Hear the brakes fighting. Shifted to neutral, locked up the tires, and stopped completely and quickly. ABS works best at high speeds but needs to be bypassed at 10mph for snow and rain. Ice your screwed either way.

Jersey Tahoe LT · June 10, 2003

I agree totally BigTruck. I will see if I can fix it this weekend. If not I will pull them. Oh and what is the Neutral trick? No ABS in Neutral?

Later,

Brandon.

bigtruck21 · June 11, 2003

I don't know what happens by shifting into neutral... whether the drive train cuts off the extra push or abs quits, but when your sliding and fighting the abs to lock the brakes and stop...shift into neutral and you should be able to stop fast completely. unless you are on ice, you will continue to slide but much more slowly and definately stop sooner than if you were still in drive.