abs module repair

[galloot633]

After putting up with my abs/stc failing repeatedly for the last two years I finally decided to bite the bullet and have a go at repairing myself. I started by trolling this site and the volvo owners site for all the information I could find, theres loads of usefull hints which I will include, but equally I found lots of well meaning but ill informed theorys. About me, although the only abs module Ive seen is my own, I have worked with industrial electronics since before there were electronics, so I speak with experience. All the threads refer to "dry joints" and modules going "bad", but for me dry joints manifest themselves soon after manufacture , not ten years later ! and I've never come across components that fail with the reliability that they seem to in our ABS modules !
So enough of the theory's heres a blow by blow of the repair.

remove the abs fuses ( my '99 model was 11 & 12 )

remove the airbox lid and filter

remove the airbox base, I found that by pushing a 9 mm socket with extension bar down on the two retainers front and back, the box was released, I then tied this out of the way on top of the engine, this was easier if you remove the hose from the ETM.

remove the two pin plug from the module by squeazing the two clips ,I removed the large multiplug after the unit was removed, using an E5 socket take out the four bolts, you now have the unit in your grubby little hands !

opening the unit, I got this from this site and is brilliant ! remove the four star washers, then screw the unit down to a piece of plywood, I then got a piece of 3" flat bar and ground a chisel edge to it, then resting this on a block of wood I pried the lid off, it came off with barely a scratch !

now for the repair itself, for this you do need a good (young) pair of eyes, ( thanks Eddie) and straight away the breaks in the soldering on the board to multiplug are apparent, mystery solved , think about it ? one rigid, fragile circuit board with a great multiplug and cable hanging off it ! no surprise they fail. now just resolder all the socket pins.( if youre not too confident , you could take this to you local pc repair shop ) now run some silicon round the lid and refit it.

refitting is the reverse and, what joy when you turn the key and all the lights clear.

so, go on and sort yours
Dave

[yudah606]

I mailed my ABS module to Victor Rocha http://home.earthlink.net/~vicrocha
last May 20th 5 month ago! He is up to no Good , big mistake to use him ! Now I have to chase him

[gemuth]

Can i try and do this circuit board fix and still drive the car?
I dont mind trying this myself but i cant afford the car being
down at all.

[stevick]

When my ABS went bonkers, I yanked it out and sent it off for a rebuild through an e-Bay seller (not Rocha). The car drove fine without it. Obviously, no ABS, but you probably don't have it now if you're getting the codes/warnings. I see that e-Bay seller offers the rebuild for $40.00 now! Good luck!

[galloot633]

the car can be driven without the abs module, just appreciate theres not abs or traction control, but we were driving like that for years !, you do get the warning lights and you loose the odometer and I believe cruise control
dave