Took the Car into a dealership to diagnose this problem. The ABS and Parking brake light stay lit all the time. I know it's not the parking brake sticking etc, as the "trac off" is not lit. When I pull the parking brake handle the "off trac" turns on as per usual.

SO like I said before the dealership diagnosed it to be either the ABS mudule or the ABS motor? Then proceced to tell me that because there is a fault in the system that the rear brakes are not working since the ABS is not functioning.

i would like to know if what they say is true, would i have no rear brakes if ABS is not working?

Can The car still be driven without ABS working, should the brakes work normally?




Ryan1

cars brakes should operate 100% normally without ABS.

Whats the fluid level in the master?

I had this problem and it was a bad ABS pump. The pump is integral with the control valves and supplies backup pressure to the ABS system. All four wheels pumb into it, but I doubt it would ever cancel out the rear brakes. When my pump failed, I had normal four wheel brakes. The ABS pump is a spendy item if you have it replaced at a dealer. It lists for several hundred dollars even at discount on-line parts suppliers. A dealer will want upwards of $800 to replace it. There are used ones out there, but this is a task for someone with some brake experience. To ensure it's lifespan, make sure you keep the system full and the fluid clean and fresh.

The pump also requires a good battery as it starts up when the ignition is turned on. If your battery is weak or you have to jump the car, the ABS system will sometimes fault and give you the same error indications. It is self-correcting though, so if you drive the car and cycle the ignition, it will shut off the lights if no problems are found. - Good luck.

Here's a basic description showing the pump and valve unit...
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/brakes/brake-types/anti-lock-brake1.htm



Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Friday, January 09, 2009 11:36 AM