Gtpguy

I just got a salvaged '96 Formula and I'm trying to get the thing semi-road worthy.

Anyway the car was hit in the rear and they patched it up as best as a junkyard could do. Anyway, there's a light in the gauge cluster that says the ABS INOP.

What this cause any driveability problems or anything? I got this grinding at lower speeds, especially at idle at a light or something. I have to put in Nuetral because it's so annoying. I thought it might have something to do with the braking system for whatever reason.

Any pointers or things I can checkout? I feel like taking it to a shop and letting them give me a list of things needing done. Not that I'll let them do it, but something for me to have to check off as time goes.

Thanks guys!!

-Kevin

1redTA

first thing after fluid in the brake resevoir is to check all the brake lights, if one is out it will throw the ABS light

Gtpguy

Thanks, I'll check that out.

Compstall

Check the sensor in the rear end, and connections to the front wheels as well. Sometimes gunk can mess up the sensor in the rear end. Take it out and wipe it off. Be careful removing it; it's plastic and can easily be damaged because it's a fairly tight fit.

Gtpguy

Where is the connection in the rear? There are 2 connectors around each of the brakes in the back, are those them? If they are, I checked them and they looked fine.

OBE1 95Z28

There are 2 styles of ABS for our cars, a 3 channel system (1 sensor in each of the front wheels and 1 sensor located in the top of the differential) and a 4 channel system (1 sensor in each of the 4 wheels). Sounds like you have the latter. As stated above, check that the sensors and sensor reluctor wheels are free of debris.

Gtpguy

Obe1, thanks for responding to a couple of threads of mine. I appreciate it. I'm still new to 4th gen technology, what is the reluctor wheels are where are they located?

Is the 3-channel or 4-channel better? Not that it matters as it's on the car already.

OBE1 95Z28

The reluctor looks like a gear. Basically it's got high and low "teeth" on it for the sensor to monitor. The system basically monitors the change in magetic response to the high and low teeth.

The four channel system is used with traction control so the ABS system can monitor the rear wheels independently.

fireman

Kevin, that car of yours has traction control. I believe 4 channel is ABS/Traction control whereas 3 channel is just ABS.
I have 3 channel, so I have the sensor on the top of the diff and you don't.

One is not better than the other, just different.

I think the reluctor wheel on a 4 channel car are these cog pulley looking things and the ends of the axle. Not sure, my car does not have them.

Gtpguy

Ahhhh Robert. You found me. I didn't remember your screen name on here.


Now let me pose another question, when I turn on the lights, all of the taillights should light up right? Well the outer bulb for each tail light don't. So could that be a reason for the ABS light? Simple as bulbs.

fireman

I don't think so Kevin. Replace the bulbs today anyway if you need them.

respectirocz

if it was hit in the rear hard enough check for bent control arms, if your rear end is farther up than it should be you could be having problems with the driveshaft yoke in the tranny tailshaft housing

just a thought

OBE1 95Z28

The bulbs have nothing to do with the ABS. As stated above, just replace the bulbs.

1redTA

that's funny half the post for this problem the last 5 years have delt with the light bulbs being blown out. do a search there "it has nothing to do with the lights"