1997 ABS w/o TRAC woes

mika · Post by **mika** » 27 Jul 2015, 07:46

ABS light came on suddenly, without flickering in the past ever; speedo and odometer continued to work. I pulled ABS out and tried to resolder a visibly bad joint, put it back in, and now the ABS light continues to illuminate, but now the speedometer and odometer are not working.

My question is, after ABS goes back in, even if the module is bad, should the speedo or odometer work?

other Questions if you have time:

1) anyone have a spare ABS they can sell me? It can be W/O tracs .....or with tracs (I can use it as a core at Midwest ABS).

2) My plug loom for the ABS is not snug (the large main connector). Furthermore, the cap/plastic cover's clip is broken. Should i use conductive grease to tighten things up, and some zip ties or a small C clamp to hold everything in place?

Wife is saying "I wont drive this car without an odometer," I just changed the little gear also. Argh!

Post by **misha** » 27 Jul 2015, 09:15

Connector can be tricky to re-seat.That said....you think it's properly seated,but it isn't.Check the connector and re-seat it carefully.

When you re-soldered joints,did you put a silicone over them and did you wait for 24h for silicone to dry?

Also...check the fuses for abs system in fuse box.

mika · Post by **mika** » 27 Jul 2015, 09:23

Any tips on re seating it? Especially if the black cover/flap is not clicking into place? Just incase, I cut a loom with an intact cover at the yard, but I do NOT want to rewire this if I do not need to.

regarding soldering inside module: one of the 2 "small power connector" solders looked a bit off, so I just added some solder after scraping that portion of the silicone off. I did not add any silicone ontop of it.

Fuses are OK.

Ordered a "tested" non trac module on ebay for 50 bucks. (Atleast I will have a non opened core if Midwest ABS becomes an option in the future)

learned how to check continuity to test sensors.... using Ohms on my multimeter. will check at home

if anyone is reading this in future with ABS problems don't hack yours open. You will be out a core and will be tricky to find a replacement to send out for a new rebuilt module.

ALSO I have read on multiple forums that it IS possible to take a WITH traction module, and have it work on your NON TRACs car if you add/connect a TRAC switch to your dash. I have not tried but atleast it is an option worth looking into

Post by **misha** » 27 Jul 2015, 12:40

I think that Matty Moo have all kind of abs modules for these cars.
You can send yours for rebuilt to him or you can send yours and he will send you a working one with lifetime warranty.

You need to fix abs module connector.It's the critical part and MUST be seated correctly and must be TIGHT.
To answer your question about non working odo & speedo....abs light ON will not affect their functionallity in any case.The only case which will affect them is bad,removed or disconnected abs/tracs module.

mika · Post by **mika** » 27 Jul 2015, 12:50

Sorry Mischa, just to confirm what you wrote above...

bad ABS should not turn off my speedo and odometer right?

better take a look at my connector! Thanks

Post by **Matty Moo** » 27 Jul 2015, 13:59

If it came on suddenly without ever having come on before and is on constantly then it's doubtful that the module is the cause. The speedo will work until the module deteriorates to the point where a speed signal is no longer being sent.

Post by **misha** » 27 Jul 2015, 14:44

mika wrote:Sorry Mischa, just to confirm what you wrote above...

bad ABS should not turn off my speedo and odometer right?

Inoperative abs system will not do that,but bad,disconnected or removed abs MODULE will turn them off,because speed signal goes through abs module.

mika · Post by **mika** » 28 Jul 2015, 08:01

would "carbon conductive grease" (like heatsink stuff? It needs to be conductive, and I dont think dialectric grease is conductive) be a suitable product? My connector does not plug in tightly, it is wobbly. It previously had dialectic grease on the connector and I cleaned it off: it was tight before and after a thorough cleaning with a toothbrush it is not loose. Looks like I love to complicate things for myself

Post by **misha** » 28 Jul 2015, 08:20

Grease is NOT there to act as a conductor,it's there to keep the connector pins from corrosion.

Again...it must be seated correctly and must be tight.Use zip ties to keep the connection tight.

mika · Post by **mika** » 28 Jul 2015, 08:27

Got it. Mischa, are you saying that grease is recommended at this area? For example, it came from factor/dealership with grease on the connector junction? Thanks for the info.