ABS Light????

[kelvin]

I had an intermittent ABS light and checked the fuse and it went off. it happened again and i pulled the fuse and put it back in and it went off. replaced the fuse and it stayed off. I assume it to be a poor connection due to dirt/oil/etc.

Now i have an interior switch so i can kill the ABS from inside the cab. i got sick of needing to get out of the car and pull the fuse every time i got to my off road destination. ABS does a great job of preventing break lock-ups on pavement. But on dirt you're always slipping. so your ABS will "half-break" you right off a cliff. in dirt you want to lock up and dig in.

sub-note: when trouble shooting your ABS, dont forget the system doesn't reset until you turn the car all the way off and then on again.

[rowhard]

IronWoman, Not to say this will fix it, but would you try something for me. Go out on a dirt road and when its safe, make some panic stops. MAYBE, just MAYBE, using the ABS controller will help it. Be safe when you do this if you do it. But if you do, let us know the results. Not saying it's going to fix it, but maybe by using the controller it will heal it's self, maybe.

[VXIRONwoMAN]

I am not sure how soon i can access a dirt road... but if i happened to be near an empty lot with dirt mounds i may give it a try for you. Though my ABS light is on and off as it pleases...

[Dino]

Try this ...


Pull the plug on the main unit under the hood. It lives on teh passenger side near the firewall, and it has several brake lines going into it. The electrical conector has a safety catch on the side that resembles a t-handle. pull it, and the plug will back itself out of the socket. Push it back in a few times. IF there is a bit of a bad connection there, this might clear it up. Just work it back and forth a few times then make sure it's all the way in and leave it. Take a test drive...

It's that intermitent thing is why I thought I should post this. From a mechanic perspective, that is the FIRST thing I would check.

[Grant Eaton]

It started in February 2007 and was intermittent -- the light going on and off. Eventually, it started staying on all the time. I suspect that this particular component is a weak link in the VX design. A lot of owners have complained about it.

Did you know that Isuzu issued a recall for the ABS module in one of the Amigos -- 1998, I think? They did. But they didn't issue a recall for the VX. In any case, I've been driving safely without ABS for 6 months, but I intend to get it fixed with junkyard parts soon.

I would caution those who take the attitude that "cars drove fine without ABS for decades and therefore this isn't a problem to worry about" with the following: Driving without ABS can expose you to a lawsuit if your vehicle causes an accident. The plaintiff may assert that you failed to properly maintain your vehicle's factory safety systems, and they could sue you for damages. We live in an era where this safety system is standard on new vehicles. A responsible owner should always maintain every safety system on their vehicle.