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ABS acting up, 1992 Transport SE 3.8l


kslater
01-22-2005, 12:47 PM
I have a '92 Transport SE. It's been a pretty reliable ride for the last 157,000 miles. (I bought it used with 13,000 miles.) Lately the ABS system seems to be acting up. The only documentation I have for repairs is a Haynes manual. Sadly, they don't even cover ABS as they consider it to advanced for DIY'rs. I have experience wrenching on cars (replaced the head or head gasket on 2 different Mercedes engines, etc.) and I have some skill with electronics so the job doesn't scare me.

Here are the symtoms:

At times during slow speed, parking lot type turns, the ABS brakes will go off. The wheels are definitely not losing traction at these times.

In the snow the last few days it seeems that the ABS will come on and sort of stick causing braking to be severely diminished.

I'm guessing this points at a sensor problem, but I could use some pointers at where to look.

...Kevin

LMP
01-22-2005, 01:59 PM
First, diagnostic trouble codes for the ABS must be read with the scan tool. There are no provisions for "flash codes " diagnostic.
2nd, the ABS section in the GM service manual I have is 176 pages long. I you can get the codes I'll post the pages for the procedure that goes with it.
Front sensors life is limited because of exposure, and replacing them means replacing the whole hub assembly.
Honest....I'd pull the fuse and forget it: this system is reknown for failure and yours is probably in the book of records already....but if I can provide helpful info , no problem

Mine is RIP...no regrets.

kslater
01-22-2005, 03:05 PM
LMP,

thanks for the quick reply. My only concern with disabling the ABS is that I intend to have my soon-to-be-driving son drive this car next. Maybe I'll make alternate plans for what he'll drive. I guess what I'll do is give the front end connections a once over and see if I find anything obviously wrong. Is this a front/read ABS system or front only? I don't have a scan tool and I'm thinking the cost might end up being a throw away. Can they be rented?

Sorry to be such a newbie.

...Kevin
Mars, PA

First, diagnostic trouble codes for the ABS must be read with the scan tool. There are no provisions for "flash codes " diagnostic.
2nd, the ABS section in the GM service manual I have is 176 pages long. I you can get the codes I'll post the pages for the procedure that goes with it.
Front sensors life is limited because of exposure, and replacing them means replacing the whole hub assembly.
Honest....I'd pull the fuse and forget it: this system is reknown for failure and yours is probably in the book of records already....but if I can provide helpful info , no problem

Mine is RIP...no regrets.

LMP
01-22-2005, 04:53 PM
Front and rear ABS. THis car runs very well without the ABS. IN fact, in winter, this ABS is a mess: first time I got the car, there is a steep hill near my place and there was heavy snow: unable to have the car stop before the intersection. I knew it would have stopped without the ABS and I just unplugged it, and from then on it was for good.
COntrary to general belief, ABS does not help braking FASTER, and finally, auto analysts have also come to that conclusion, after years of hype and hoopla: braking in snow has a 25% to 50% penalty compared to standard system. ABS has been installed in aircraft first so that the plane DOES NOT SKID SIDEWAYS : there is a lot or runway ahead and no problem if it takes longer...but in straight line. Same for cars. As soon as Front wheel drive arrived in AMerica, people continued braking like they did with rear wheel drive, and started spinning the cars in curves. To avoid spinning by moron drivers, they installed ABS: period. And GM plans to stop installing ABS at least in baseline cars, ans may be offer a much improved costlier version in top line cars.
Most top line european cars have a disable switch for winter driving.
SO...I would not care too much about non-ABS assist , except for one who likes braking at last second in tight corners on wet pavement.

LMP
01-22-2005, 05:59 PM
I hear that AUtozone in the USA would read the codes for free. I read that very often in various forums. I do not know of that in Canada...

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