The ABS on my son's 97 wagon is not working. Brakes are sensitive and lock up when pedal depressed hard. I noticed the ABS light does not work, or rather, someone has changed the speedo cluster to a non abs cluster- so there is no light, I checked the fuses in the ABS fuse block. They are all good. What is next?

 

Well kind of hard without codes? I'm sure you've checked the fluid in both res. Key on, does the abs light come on?

 

If you're really determined to fix this problem, you'll need to replace the IP w/ a ABS-panel. Otherwise, there is no way to know the fault code, and bliindly replacing parts will likely break you before you solve the problem.

ABS is usually relatively easy to repair; wheel sensor, leaking modulator plugs, or faulty modulator. Modulators are readily available as used parts for reasonable prices: <$50 usually. Best to buy locally, but car-part.com will find both local and out-of-town parts.

I've repaired a couple of ABS systems by replacing modulator w/ used parts w/ good results.

good luck

 

My 16 year old son participated in the BMW/Tire rack street survival course last week at the Houston PD academy raod course. After watching how that car handled without the ABS, I am determined to fix it. Guess I will be looking for an instrument cluster, to start with. These brakes are much more sensitive and lock up easier than a non ABS Honda.. I drove it yesterday and ...wow. Kinda scary

 

Lots of folks think they drive too good to need ABS. They are wrong. No one can be prepared for their immediate reaction to slam the brake when an imminent collison is likely. ABS allows faster stops than can be achieved w/ the best human brake management.

good luck

 

Look closer at your cluster. I bet there's no such thing as a "non-ABS" cluster. They probably just don't install a bulb on a non-ABS car.

 

take it to a honda dealer they have a cool tool called the abs checker you plug it in and spin each wheel by hand and it lights up for each wheel signal, if it doesn't light up for one wheel then you know which wheel is the issue and you can go from there

 

The area on the cluster where the ABS lens is- is blank. There is not ABS label or lens there. maybe the cluster is from an early LX cars with no ABS? As for checking the codes; I was wondering if there is a code scanner that will read ABS codes, kinda like the scanner for DTC codes.

 

There are custom scan tools, but they are high priced versatile units for multiple vehicles, and very high cost for diy. It will be much cheaper and quicker to simply replace the panel (car-part.com and ebay are good sources for used panels).

It's been some time since I pulled my 94EX panel, but I don't remember it being that difficult.

good luck

 

You could just use a test-lamp on the appropriate pin of the ABS computer. Find a circuit drawing for the ABS. I suspect the lamp is always powered, and the ABS computer switches the ground side of the lamp circuit.