ABS and TRACS Dash Lights

jdsmith · Post by **jdsmith** » 15 Oct 2011, 12:40

I own a 1997 850 non turbo. Recently, the ABS and TRACS OFF dash lights have been turning on and turning off intermittantly. I checked the fuses and they are OK. Any suggestions?

Billc1015 · Post by **Billc1015** » 15 Oct 2011, 12:58

First, check brake fluid level. But more than likely its the ABS module. They commonly go bad on these.

Post by **Jack Rock** » 15 Oct 2011, 12:59

Don't buy a new one, get a rebuild from Matty Moo or fix yourself.

Post by **erikv11** » 15 Oct 2011, 13:38

What Jack Rock said- save yourself a lot of money and get it done right.

volvobaggen · Post by **volvobaggen** » 15 Oct 2011, 14:13

Easy fix. Just get a E5 female torx and remove the abs controller unit. Pry it open. Remove the jelly-like protective silicone layer. The solder joints normally cracks where the pins from the connector enters the print board. Resolder the joints.

How to remove Abs unit.
Illutstrative pictures on abs-soldering.

There are also numerous threads on this forum with more "in-depth" information on the topic.

Post by **Matty Moo** » 15 Oct 2011, 19:59

start with the easiest first....inspect your wiring and clean your ABS sensors and tone rings.

It's cheaper to start with the basics before throwing money at it. On a 14 year old car, things aren't always perfect.

Post by **Volvo4251** » 15 Oct 2011, 21:23

My ABS module went in June of this year... I had the same exact problem. Unfortunately, these go out on 850's quite often. A used runs for about 400 bucks, but no guarantee the same problem wouldn't happen again. A new one will set you back about 800 dollars. I went ahead and got the used one, I've had no trouble since!

Post by **erikv11** » 15 Oct 2011, 22:39

Ouch!

The module on the 96 pretty much always fails. So you should never buy a used one, it too is essentially guaranteed to fail.

Get a rebuilt. Much cheaper and if you go with a known rebuilder, actually much better quality than new.

Post by **tjts1** » 16 Oct 2011, 13:27

The thing is ABS is works even if the light is on. ABS module does a periodic self diagnostic when you're driving. You can hear it happen as a faint electric motor noise in the dash. When this diagnostic fails, the light turns on. Some times the light turns itself off, some times it doesn't, Its very intermittent. Do an emergency stop on wet pavement one day and see if your ABS is functioning. I bet it is. The module has either 2 or 3 functions. The base cars have ABS and EBD, and some cars also have traction control function built in. If the light really bothers you can either remove the bulb from the dash or find another module at the JY for about $5. I have of a whole pile of them somewhere in the garage. I did reflow the solder joints on the one I have in there now but the light turned back on a year later. Now I just don't bother with it because I know the ABS work fine with our without it.

Post by **JRL** » 16 Oct 2011, 13:53

Not really correct
if the light is on, 99% of the time it's NOT working.

And, to the poster who bought a new one, that was a very poor decision!
A new one is as bad as the one your had and went bad and will fail again!
The ONLY good units are the (properly) repaired units which have good solder joints.