ABS light on and shuddering when braking?? this safe to drive?

[UnatcoAgent]

I drove this thing about 1000km a few weekends ago packed with furniture and since then the ABS light is now on continuously, and every once and a while when I brake the pedal will shudder like the ABS is coming on, and there is a brutal, almost grinding noise.

Mechanic said it should be ok to drive until we bring it in next tuesday, but I was supposed to take this thing to montreal this weekend, is it safe to drive long distance?

I hate cars sometimes

 

[MisterJackson]

Yes, only down hill towards traffic and near cliffs though.

 

[Nerva]

i had a camry back in college with the abs light constantly on even though there is nothing wrong with the abs... just maybe the light. get it checked out though.

 

[BrokenVisage]

Same thing kinda happened to me yesterday. Had trouble starting my car (turned out the battery was dead) and my electricity was cutting in and out while on the road after I jumped it. Whenever it cut back on the ABS light would turn on and my breaks would lock, but only for a split second it seemed. Probably not the cause of your problem, but doesn't hurt to get the battery checked for free by Autozone or Advance.

 

[Kelemvor]

As long as it stops before you hit something, sounds safe enough to me.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Smoooth.

 

[UnatcoAgent]

I don't think it's the battery, the car is starting just fine.

Braking is fine as well, it's just the damn noise I'm worried about..

 

[radioouman]

Sounds like you have an ABS sensor at a wheel that has failed. The ABS solenoid is actuating whenever you hit the brakes. Oh, you could be low on brake fluid.

 

[sao123]

Originally posted by: radioouman
Sounds like you have an ABS sensor at a wheel that has failed. The ABS solenoid is actuating whenever you hit the brakes. Oh, you could be low on brake fluid.

just pull the abs fuse and all will be well.

 

[ballmode]

pull the fuse and just remember you dont have abs... and youll have 1000 bucks in your pocket

 

[UnatcoAgent]

Originally posted by: ballmode
pull the fuse and just remember you dont have abs... and youll have 1000 bucks in your pocket

How would one pull the ABS fuse?

 

[jhayx7]

Originally posted by: Sabot

Originally posted by: ballmode
pull the fuse and just remember you dont have abs... and youll have 1000 bucks in your pocket

How would one pull the ABS fuse?

With your fingers.

Look up the fuse panel on teh intertubes. Should be a diagram of it somewhere.

 

[DivideBYZero]

You have fluid in your braking system.

 

[Rumpltzer]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
You have fluid in your braking system.

Hi Sabot,

You definitely need DivideBYZero to work on your brakes. He's got the answer!

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: jhayx7

Originally posted by: Sabot

Originally posted by: ballmode
pull the fuse and just remember you dont have abs... and youll have 1000 bucks in your pocket

How would one pull the ABS fuse?

With your fingers.

Look up the fuse panel on teh intertubes. Should be a diagram of it somewhere.

That mexican dude that came with the car should be able to help you, Manual?

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: Sabot

Originally posted by: ballmode
pull the fuse and just remember you dont have abs... and youll have 1000 bucks in your pocket

How would one pull the ABS fuse?

LOL!

 

[SpiderWiz]

The ABS is just a dummy light saying something is wrong with the ABS system. When the light comes on the ABS system is shut down automatically. I had a problem with the brakes on the van, turn out to be a speed sensor on one of the back wheels.

The shuddering when braking should be your concern. Most likely you need new brake pads. My two cents.

 

[nweaver]

disconnect the ABS fuse and see if the noise goes away...if not, then I woudn't drive it very far...

I just finished the bypass of rear wheel ABS on my truck.

 

[gwrober]

Originally posted by: SpiderWiz
The ABS is just a dummy light saying something is wrong with the ABS system. When the light comes one the ABS system is shut down automatically. I had a problem with the brakes on the van, turn out to be a speed sensor on one of the back wheels.

The shuddering when braking should be your concern. Most likely you need new brake pads. My two cents.

We had a similar problem on a Ford Explorer, turns out it was a sensor. Caused the ABS to 'activate' and pulse.....replaced the sensor and all is well...

 

[gwrober]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
You have fluid in your braking system.

Brake fluid, maybe?

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: gwrober

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
You have fluid in your braking system.

Brake fluid, maybe?

Nah.

 

[thomsbrain]

you may have two fuse boxes, one under the hood (a black plastic box with a cover that you should be able to remove without tools), and one in the car (in a honda, you'll want to look in the driver's foot-well). the diagram is usually marked on a sticker placed on the inside of the covers. one of the boxes will have the ABS fuse. pull the fuse out with your fingers, drive it around, and see what happens.