ABS Light Comes On

[elemgee]

Over the last couple of months, my ABS light will come on, usually a few minutes after I start the car and drive a few miles. I initially thought it was my car telling me that I need to start working my abs, but then figured that its probably brake related.

The light coming on is accompanied by a strange feel in the brake pedal: it will initially feel like there's a little more resistance than usual, and then it will make a small noise after which it will then go down another inch or so, almost like something cracked. Otherwise, the brakes seem to work fine. And I dont know if this is related to it or not, but I also get a very small grinding noise when making a left hand turn (only lefts), but not all the time.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

Larry

[NiftySVX]

Check the codes and report back. The abs self test occurs at a speed of something like 4 or 6 mph and it runs the actuator briefly. There was a TSB on the relays because they stick, which is a simple repair and may be your problem, as they are energized during this self test

[elemgee]

I performed that ABS error code check thing, and the 8 blinks tells me its the left rear speed sensor. I'll first remove the wheel and see if there's anything obviously wrong, like a loose connection. If not, then I'll order the sensor. I've never installed one but it doesnt look too hard. I'm aware that the other end goes in under the seat. Hope this fixes the problem. Funny thing is, virtually all of the problems I've had the SVX, not many really, have been sensor related (oxygen sensor, knock sensor, now the abs sensor).

[NiftySVX]

I would remove the sensor and inspect the tone wheel aka sensor rotor. They are easily damaged when doing bearings, I've seen many broken. Since you're going to replace the sensor anyway it doesn't matter that you'll probably break it trying to take it out, but make sure to inspect that tone wheel before the new one goes in. I would reccomend rotating the wheel slowly and checking all 360 degrees of it to make sure it isn't missing a piece or cracked.

[MiataMania]

Originally Posted by NiftySVX

Check the codes and report back. The abs self test occurs at a speed of something like 4 or 6 mph and it runs the actuator briefly. There was a TSB on the relays because they stick, which is a simple repair and may be your problem, as they are energized during this self test

Where can I find said TSB? My stupid pump wont shut off and I'm not a fan of driving ABS equipped cars without ABS.

-Adam

[SVXalter]

I have a kind of similar issue. Occasionally when I am nearly stopped my ABS will kick in unnecessarily and make the usual vibrating sound. It's very annoying as it is not needed and creates a "lurch" in my stop.

The ABS light will sometimes come on when I accelerate hard mostly at higher speeds. It will remain on until I restart the car.

Any ideas as to what is going on?

[oab_au]

Originally Posted by MiataMania

Where can I find said TSB? My stupid pump wont shut off and I'm not a fan of driving ABS equipped cars without ABS.

-Adam

There are two relays under the black box on the ABS unit. The taller one is the Valve relay and the shorter one is the pump motor relay. One is stuck closed.
They are relays that you should be able to get from the local parts supplier. Pull them out and take them with you.

Harvey.

[Trevor]

This is a problem often reported, so that we should try to discover exactly what is the cause. The relay could be sticking for a number of reasons.

The residual stop is worn, is insufficient, or there is none. (A non ferrous spacer between the armature and pole piece, to prevent residual current or magnetism, from retaining the armature closed, even though control current is no longer present.)

A mechanical problem has developed within the relay, e.g. lack of return spring pressure or contacts tending to become welded closed.

If replacing a relay cures the problem, please, as carefully as you can, break open up the faulty relay and have look see. You could be helping explain a problem in store for others.

[trophy956]

there is a TSB on ABS relays sticking ,i beleive it was to address 2SE bosch abs used in mid 90s car s[ but ill check it monday ,i dont think you can get the motor relay from a parts store ,the numbers for the oems ones are vavle relay 26735aa001 and motor relay 26735aa011,the biggest problem
i have seen with SVX ABS is low voltage from the ALTENATOR or bad sensors after some did a wheel bearing

[elemgee]

Hey, I found the problem. i removed the rear seat to see if the ABS speed sensor was connected correctly, and it wasnt. i connected the male and female ends, and that fixed the problem.

Larry