850 ABS tracs question

diesel-dodge · Post by **diesel-dodge** » 28 Oct 2006, 11:59

Hi All This site has some amazing knowledge. Thjanks in advance for any answers. Ok Ihave a 94 850 turbo wagon it has the tracs and abs light on. Ihave read all of the info on the ABS control mudule which Ithink is the problem. But I have a mushy pedal. If I pump the pedal a little it will come up some. Does this sound like the master cylinder or just the ABS mudule?
thanks
jason

Post by **pfeener** » 28 Oct 2006, 12:24

The "mushy" pedal is not the ABS module. The ABS light is on because the ABS module is bad (99% probable). See attached link for Victor.

http://home.earthlink.net/~vicrocha/

The mushy pedal could be a few things. I would start by bleeding the brakes, then check to see how much pad you have left and then maybe a caliper or master cylinder. Could also be the flexible brake line if it's getting soft.

diesel-dodge · Post by **diesel-dodge** » 28 Oct 2006, 18:12

Thanks I wasnt sure about the musshy pedal. I appreciate the info.
jason

Volgrrr · Post by **Volgrrr** » 28 Oct 2006, 23:44

To test your ABS, find a tarred road that has a relatively smooth gravel shoulder.

Doing about 60 kmh, leave the driver side wheels on the tarmac and with the opposite side wheels in the gravel - brake sharply.

If your ABS is working O.K you will notice little evenly-spaced 'spurts' in the gravel clearly showing each attempted wheel lock-up and release.

diesel-dodge · Post by **diesel-dodge** » 29 Oct 2006, 05:22

Thanks I never thought about that. Sounds like a good idea.
jason

Post by **billofdurham** » 29 Oct 2006, 11:37

And if it doesn't work be prepared to disappear rapidly off the road as the wheels on the gravel lock up.

It is safer to do this with all wheels on the road. You will feel and hear if the ABS is working - feel a throbbing in the pedal and hear a loud clicking sound.

If the ABS doesn't work you will probably leave some rubber on the road.

Bill.

Volgrrr · Post by **Volgrrr** » 30 Oct 2006, 04:30

I have disappeared of the road real quick Bill.

I hit a big red kangaroo on the way home from Ballarat last night, but
I must say the T5 wagon absorbed the hit pretty well.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about 'Skippy'.

I thought the wagon would have sustained major damage but, on closer inspection, all that happened was; the grill disintegrated, the bonnet nose housing the grill was bent back slightly, and the LH headlight together with it's wiper/washer was rendered completely useless.

The same couldn't be said about my Toyota Cressida which was basically written off doing exactly the same thing about six years back.

Post by **billofdurham** » 30 Oct 2006, 11:44

Did the ABS work or did you not have time to notice?

Seriously, good to know Volvo protected you and no serious, if any injuries to the occupants. Kangaroos, no doubt, will soon find a replacement for Skippy.

Bill.

Volgrrr · Post by **Volgrrr** » 02 Nov 2006, 00:28

I think they must have worked Bill.

In the split second before I hit the roo, I did the thing most people do in a panic situation. My reaction was driven purely by my instinct to survive as I stood on the brakes and swerved at the same time.

Thinking back, the vehicle responded to the steering under severe braking and there was no sensation of lockup - not that I had much time to assess anything at all.

I was the sole occupant of the car - and yes, I guess there are plenty of other kangaroos lining up to volunteer to do their stint in the highway kamikazi division.

I don't know if you are familiar with the highway system in Australia but it happened on the main highway between Melbourne and Adelaide - where every second vehicle a B double.

Since then I've counted my lucky stars I didn't get tangled up with one of them. I'm absolutely sure the Volvo would have folded a lot quicker - and with more dire consequences.

sntee · Post by **sntee** » 02 Nov 2006, 04:37

Volgrrr wrote:To test your ABS, find a tarred road that has a relatively smooth gravel shoulder.

Doing about 60 kmh, leave the driver side wheels on the tarmac and with the opposite side wheels in the gravel - brake sharply.

If your ABS is working O.K you will notice little evenly-spaced 'spurts' in the gravel clearly showing each attempted wheel lock-up and release.

Unfortunately, unless I'm mistaken, if your ABS / Tracs lights are on, it means that the car has already disabled the ABS system. So it won't work anyway.

Get the unit fixed by Victor, then do the test.

If its any consolation, I've carried out most of the fixes suggested above and my brake pedal still feels a little soft compared to other cars I've driven. Unless I pump it once before braking there's a good inch or so of free travel. Its not so bad once you get used to it, but take care if you get into a new car..... I drove a V50 loaner car whilst mine was being serviced a few months back and I've still got the scar from where the seatbelt nearly decapitated me the first time I hit the brake pedal!!!!