'98 Chevy: ABS disable choices

87BOSS351C · March 17, 2005

I have a '98 1500 and the ^@% antilock brakes are driving me nuts

It started with them kicking on while stopping at very low speeds (parking spots mostly). I know this is common and I priced the front wheel bearings and they are too much $$$. Now the ABS has started to kick on while driving at low speeds WITHOUT touching the brake pedal!

I would like to avoid "just pulling the fuse". Don't want to end up with a dash light on (all the time). Has anyone ever unplugged the power lead to the pump motor? Did that lead to any problems or dash lights?

Please, no need to preach on "possible legal issues." I'll have plenty of those if I hit a pedestrian in a parking lot because the pedal went hard with the ABS on for no reason.

Thanks

99-2door · March 17, 2005

Anything you do to disable the ABS is gonna make the light come on.

How do you know the ABS is coming on when you don't have your foot on the brake?

87BOSS351C · March 17, 2005

How do you know the ABS is coming on when you don't have your foot on the brake?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Because I can hear the ABS pump running.

Wonder if I could come up with a resistor or something to put across the pump power leads to keep the light off. On this truck it is a separate conector with just a red and a black wire.

zr sled head · March 18, 2005

No biggy, just pull the leads off at the pump / valve body and all with be fine with no light.

Garage Mechanic's Companion · March 18, 2005

I know this may sound like I'm preaching, but are you not just treating the symptom without fixing the problem?

You see, disabling your ABS will also disable the DRP, which could/will cause premature rear wheel lock.

My dad has a '00 3500 Dodge, and the ABS was fubar in it when he got it. Most of the time it was okay, but if you had to do a panic stop, it would lock up the rear wheels instantly (smoking duals do look cool, though).

The bad side of this is, during hard braking at speed, the truck will swap ends, extremely bad if your pulling a trailer (can you say 'jackknife'?). His truck is a Cummins with a stick, so downshifting takes a lot of load off of the brakes, with an auto it would be a different story.

After taking the SAE brake control systems course, I firmly recommended that he get the truck fixed, which he did. Money well spent in my book.

My $0.02,

Derek

Nick2000Gmc · March 19, 2005

Hi I had the same problem, I have a 2000 though.

Anyways I got a recall in the mail ( of course after I had it fixed) Anyways what causes it here in canada is the salt in the winter ( probaly mud if your south )

Anyways they have to clean the wheel sensors ( I paid a dealer $170 candian to have mine fixed). I would be very afraid to leave my abs unplugged cause if yuou ever got in an accident and they caught it you could be in big s**t. Anyways I hope this helps.

Also I figure it's your sensor since you still have your pump, a lot of guys were having abs problems due to their computer ( Check ebay, they will fix for a 1/10 of the price if that is the case) I emailed him and explained my problem ( thinking the worse and he told me to get the sensors cleaned and it would be fixed

mcreyaufmiller · March 19, 2005

I would pull the wheels and rotors and clean the sensors first before blaming it ont he system. I clean my sensors about 2 times a year and heve not had a problem. Besides, it is always good to repack the bearings on a regular basis. $5 for greese and $5 for seals saves a lot of time and money later.

87BOSS351C · March 21, 2005

My plan is to check and clean the sensors once it finally warms up here and the snow melts. I know the issue is the sensors. Just need some time to get it apart and check things out. Was just looking for a temporary fix.

Also, I did unplug the power leads this weekend, and while it killed the ABS as desired without turning on the ABS light, it turned on the Brake light. Since I can't stand extra warning lights on while driving, I plugged it back in.