Suspension & Brakes Springs | Shocks | Handling | Rotors

Abs inop!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-05-2010, 04:42 PM
  #1  
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
 
AmirGTR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: orange county
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Abs inop!!

I get the ABS INOP light that come on and off whenever it wants to. I heard this also means my traction control is off.

I spun out on a slightly moist blacktop coupla nights ago so I maybe I should have this stuff on....lol. How do I turn it back on? How do I know if it's not just the sensor?
Old 10-05-2010, 10:38 PM
  #2  
TECH Apprentice
 
Carter Hays's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Scan tool and a visual inspection. Most auto parts stores will scan it for free. Can't hurt to look at everything and see if something is fubar. Get a DIY manual like Haynes or Chiltons so you know what you are looking at.
Old 10-05-2010, 11:16 PM
  #3  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
libertyforall1776's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: IL
Posts: 2,129
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts

Default

Most places do not have scanners that talk to the braking system for free, but yea, get a flow-chart from a shop when you get it scanned (usually only free if you get the repairs done there too). When my ABS INOP happened back on my '95 Camaro, it was the ABS Motor Pack -- a pretty easy replacement in your driveway.

Last edited by libertyforall1776; 10-06-2010 at 11:18 PM.
Old 10-06-2010, 06:12 PM
  #4  
Launching!
iTrader: (3)
 
johnpate01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Maryville, TN
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Mine was a bad wheel speed sensor. Worked intermittently then died suddenly. 5 minute fix if it is.
Old 10-06-2010, 11:19 PM
  #5  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
libertyforall1776's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: IL
Posts: 2,129
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts

Default

As I recall, the check for the sensors working was the speed at each wheel -- the one that's off indicates the bad sensor - but don't quote me on it.
Old 10-14-2010, 06:42 PM
  #6  
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
 
AmirGTR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: orange county
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thanks for the replies guys, I'll see if I can find anyone who can scan it.
Old 11-17-2010, 07:37 PM
  #7  
Teching In
 
davydman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by johnpate01
Mine was a bad wheel speed sensor. Worked intermittently then died suddenly. 5 minute fix if it is.
How do you diagnose the wheel speed sensor?
Old 11-18-2010, 05:28 AM
  #8  
Launching!
iTrader: (3)
 
johnpate01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Maryville, TN
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

I went to the dealer. They have special ABS scanners.
Old 11-18-2010, 08:59 AM
  #9  
TECH Regular
 
94 Camaro Z28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

A '94 has traction control?

Check your sensors on the wheels first, along with a scan.
Old 11-20-2010, 06:04 AM
  #10  
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (1)
 
leadfoot4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Webster, NY
Posts: 4,611
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts

Default

I also started getting an intermittant "ABS INOP" light a couple of weeks ago....must be something in the air!

I work part time for an Advance Auto Parts store, and we have a GoodYear shop next door. One of the GY techs hooked up their scanner and it showed my LF speed sensor being the one thats setting the code, but as I said, it doesn't set every time I drive the car.

I checked for play in the bearings, and they're tight. I disconnected the plug at the sensor, sprayed both the plug and connector with WD40, and blew them out with compressed air. Drove the car around a bit yesterday, and so far, no light.

I hope that's all it was, as I really don't feel like spending the $$ to replace the hub assembly.


(FWIW, I also get the "low trac" light once in a while, and my car doesn't have traction control!!)
Old 11-22-2010, 07:33 AM
  #11  
TECH Regular
 
94 Camaro Z28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by leadfoot4
(FWIW, I also get the "low trac" light once in a while, and my car doesn't have traction control!!)

You don't have to have traction control to get the low trac light. That goes off based on wheel speed monitored by your sensors. Typical reasons it will go off are if you hit the brakes in the rain and your front wheels lock up but the rear ones are still rolling. I think your sensor is starting to go out. I'd just cough up some dough and replace the hub, that way you know everything there is all new. Its not that hard to replace either, just make sure you have some WD-40 or PB Blaster.
Old 11-22-2010, 05:35 PM
  #12  
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (1)
 
leadfoot4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Webster, NY
Posts: 4,611
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by 94 Camaro Z28
You don't have to have traction control to get the low trac light. That goes off based on wheel speed monitored by your sensors. Typical reasons it will go off are if you hit the brakes in the rain and your front wheels lock up but the rear ones are still rolling. I think your sensor is starting to go out. I'd just cough up some dough and replace the hub, that way you know everything there is all new. Its not that hard to replace either, just make sure you have some WD-40 or PB Blaster.
The weather is starting to get cold and rainy, which means that "cold and snowy" isn't too far away, which means the Camaro will be away for the winter again.

That will give me an opportunity to do some work on the car. In the old days, before I retired, and money was a little more plentiful, I probably would have just thrown a couple of hubs at the car, and never given it a second thought. Since I now only work a part time job, basically for some "car play" money, I take a little more time to completely diagnose a problem before taking any action, and wasting money.

I was looking at the different hubs on the market, and the various prices. Unfortunately, it seems that there aren't any American made hub assemblies anymore, so the only "quality", brand name hubs out there seem to be the SKF units. A few places sell them, and the cheapest I've found them is $143. The "National" brand, which is a FederalMogul brand name, is sold at Advance Auto Parts, where I work. However, I looked at one today while at work, and they're A) made in Korea, and B) $141 my price....
Old 12-31-2010, 07:08 PM
  #13  
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
 
AmirGTR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: orange county
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Ok, it's official. My ABS doesn't work. I locked up a coupla times in the rain. Considering how new and sticky my front tires actually are, it leaves nothing but the ABS system itself to blame.

Now what? :\
Old 12-31-2010, 07:24 PM
  #14  
Staging Lane
 
3Camaros's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

I bought a obd2 scanner awhile back that also reads abs codes Innova brand, forget where I got it, maybe ebay. It works great and pointed me to the problem with my ABS, the pump. The pump was like $850 new, $350 rebuilt, I found someone parting out a car and gave them $75 for it.

By the way I drove around along time with intermitent ABS until one day someone pulled out in front of me, I avoided hitting them but locked the back and spun the car. For a street car I highly recommend fixing it.
Old 12-31-2010, 08:10 PM
  #15  
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
 
AmirGTR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: orange county
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 3Camaros
I bought a obd2 scanner awhile back that also reads abs codes Innova brand, forget where I got it, maybe ebay. It works great and pointed me to the problem with my ABS, the pump. The pump was like $850 new, $350 rebuilt, I found someone parting out a car and gave them $75 for it.

By the way I drove around along time with intermitent ABS until one day someone pulled out in front of me, I avoided hitting them but locked the back and spun the car. For a street car I highly recommend fixing it.
Ah nice. Yeah I crashed before because of locking up the front tires, definitely don't want it to happen to my Camaro.

I have the USB ALDL cable and tunercat. Can I get the codes with that?
Old 02-17-2011, 04:41 AM
  #16  
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
 
AmirGTR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: orange county
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thanks for the input guys but I still haven't been able to figure out the cause of the issue.
Old 02-17-2011, 08:07 AM
  #17  
10 Second Club
iTrader: (14)
 
SSHAWK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Forney, Tx
Posts: 468
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Here is a big post about ABS inop problems

https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspensio...-trac-off.html



Quick Reply: Abs inop!!



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:43 AM.