ABS Issue When you hit a bump

[Shandon]

Ok so I got the car out and took my daughter to dance practice. While driving the (ABS) light came on. I drop her off and turn the car off restart and when I hit the 15mph (where abs does its self test) the light goes off. On the way home with some rough roads the light comes back on. At home I pop the hood and look around for any signs of break fluid leak etc. I pumped the breaks pushed the pedal to the floor fast etc... The break have no stopping issue and the fluid level is fine. So I go back out for another test. The light goes off after hitting the 15mph mark. I drive for a while and hit a big bump crossing a bridge, the light jumps back on. I turn the engine off while coasting and restart the car, light goes off. Anyway I don't know anything about ABS systems but to me some ******** sensor must be loose?? Can anyone point me in a direction to look in case its a simple clip or sensor thats loose? If not I will take it in to get checked.

 

[Roadrunner]

Sounds like a bad sensor... that is going open circuit on the bump. Someone with a DRBIII (your dealer) could tell you which sensor it is, and just replace it.

Probably have to order the part anyway, so just scan the car, order part, replace.

If it is more major there should be a code in the module. You also could have a major ground or something coming loose, that only shows on an impact.

 

[HensleySRT-10]

I agree with Roadrunner. Probably a loose circuit or connection somewhere. I would also say avoid the bumps in the road.....wait we can't here in KY. You should take it to a dealer, but they may or may not be able to find anything on the diagnostics machine, or at least that has always been the case for me in the past.

Doesn't sound like anything serious as long as there are no breaking issues with the car.

Let me know what it turns out to be....I'm sure I'll be dealing with it as well eventually.

 

[Qualitywires.com]

Maybe brake dust? If I am not mistaken you have some magnetic parts down there.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Hi, Shandon...wrote a long post with several suggestions..hit launch button and it disappeared!!

Give me a call when you get a chance.

 

[Shandon]

Steve can you Pm me the best number to reach you at?

 

[ViperGTS]

ABS light ON = usually NO ABS.
Not good at all. If you need it.

Could be a broken wire, the ABS module, a loose sensor, dirt, whatever, ...have it checked!

 

[Shandon]

ABS light ON = usually NO ABS.
Not good at all.

Uhh Yea... you think? Sorry that was my sarcastic response for the day.

Ok so here is the scoop to those that answered above OR care to know. I swung by the dealership about 10 minutes ago and the scanner says the right rear wheel sensor took a crap. I have it on order and ill replace it this coming weekend I hope.

Now what the freak is wrong with these things. Not cool at all! Im not old school and I use my ABS on the track (yea i beat on my car a little)! So is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening in the future? I read a thread about this issue where someone with a comp coupe said he keeps a few sensors around for such problems. So what causes them to go out? Dirt heat? ANYWAY IF THERE IS A SOLUTION IM ALL EARS.

 

[GR8_ASP]

Shandon I have had a wheel sensor go out at the track. You really want to locate the problem and fix it first. For me it resulted in a rear lock up coming up to turn 1 at Gingerman at 135ish. Turned toward the flag stand and barely (and I mean BARELY) recovered before going through the guard rail and saying hello to the group along the guard rail. An ABS failure is one thing you do not want with an SRT as the brake bias may also go bad. Since then I use a much lower friction rear pad (stock in back and Brakeman 3's in front).

Strangely that is the same sensor I failed. After that I tripped it on turn 12 (or is it 11 ???) going over the apron almost every lap. I had a DRB and reset it constantly throughout the day. Not a confidence builder.

 

[Shandon]

Shandon I have had a wheel sensor go out at the track. You really want to locate the problem and fix it first. For me it resulted in a rear lock up coming up to turn 1 at Gingerman at 135ish. Turned toward the flag stand and barely (and I mean BARELY) recovered before going through the guard rail and saying hello to the group along the guard rail. An ABS failure is one thing you do not want with an SRT as the brake bias may also go bad. Since then I use a much lower friction rear pad (stock in back and Brakeman 3's in front).

Strangely that is the same sensor I failed. After that I tripped it on turn 12 (or is it 11 ???) going over the apron almost every lap. I had a DRB and reset it constantly throughout the day. Not a confidence builder.

So is there anything that can be done to prevent this? Cleaning etc? Mine is the right rear and im replacing with a new one this weekend.

 

[GR8_ASP]

My guess is that it is heat related. My be a good service replacement every couple of years if you track a lot. Not sure if you could heat shield it. A good question for the comp coupe guys.

 

[Shandon]

Well I put the new ABS sensor in the right rear and its good as new!! Easy to replace thats for sure but still worries me as to why? Going to keep one front and one rear on hand for now on. Thanks for all the info.

 

[GR8_ASP]

And 3 years later I have not been able to be as aggressive in certain turns because of the previous ABS failure. I know it will happen again, I just do not know when. It gets in your head.

 

[Shandon]

And It gets in your head.

Yea you can say that again. I did a full 360 in my Viper once....... Man I drove like a grandma for the following 4 months. That was user error and not malfuntion of a part. I would suspect both have similar outcome on the old brain. Live and learn and what doesn't kill us makes us smarter or so I hear