Solved an Issue - ABS Light Randomly Turning On

[CowPimp]

I had a weird problem where my ABS light would randomly come on. Two things seemed to aggravate the issue: rain and really cold weather. Upon starting the car, the ABS brakes would work fine anywhere from 10-40 minutes before the light would come on. Turning the car off and on would return them to working condition.

I seem to have solved it so very simply: I thoroughly bled my brakes. It's been a few days of my 60 minute round trip drive to work without the light coming on. I'll keep my fingers crossed, but I thought this might be helpful to anyone else who has this issue.

 

[1LE]

Also, for those that don't know. Mitsubishi has a TSB for a common wiring fault on the 2g ABS system. The wiring junctions right below the ABS module were not properly weather-proofed from the factory and frequently experience water intrusion (and all the wonderful things that come along with that). Generally causes the ABS ECU to throw out a wide variety of errors (use a MUT-II or manually tap the ABS ECU to see the codes).

 

[sc2_ct]

Okay, while driving back from the hiking area today I was going down the road and all of a sudden my ABS light starts flashing on and off while driving (not on the brakes yet), and when I start to apply the brakes, the pedal is surging (still managed to stop okay though). I shut off the car and re-started it and the problem was gone for almost 10 minutes, then it starts happening again, but this time the engine is roaming about 1k on the tach and my stereo is turning on and off and I'm hearing a clicking sound from behind the stereo. I just replaced the alternator after a similar set of problems, but that time I had a bunch of other lights on in the dashboard that are NOT on this time. I've probably only put about 1500 miles on the new alternator and haven't gotten the chance to check the voltages, but I was wondering if there are any other problems that could cause this or is it another bad alternator? Maybe a bad ECU?

 

[sc2_ct]

Okay, I got to check it with my volt meter, and it was reading 12v off and 14.1v idling. I tightened all my terminals and tightened down all the other fasteners and have driven it around and the problem didn't seem to happen, but it seems to be an intermittant issue and I suspect that the problem will be recurring, so any input will still be very much appreciated.

 

[sc2_ct]

Okay, I think my other meter I was using is bad, here is the result with my good meter:

Key off, engine not running: 12.71 volts
Running, no accessories: 14.35 volts
Running, lights on (lows): 14.25 volts
Running, lights + fan (hi): 14.17 volts

Based on that, both the battery and the alternator would seem to check out fine, but I can't get the car to reproduce the problem when I have a meter hooked up, so it it's an intermittant problem I can't find out what is going on voltage wise.

All of the grounds seem to be in good shape with tight connections and no corrosion and the battery posts themselves and the battery connectors look good. I'm running out of ideas here. Any suggestions? Anyone?

 

[truwarrior]

Well I was checking for boost leaks today and decided to check the fluids. The brake fluid was a couple gulps short so I put some in.

Later today, I took the car for some logs and the ABS light is now on. How do I diag this? I'd guess it might be a leak some where but I'd hate to jumped to conclusions because the fluid was a little low. Thanks in advance.

 

[luv2rallye]

The ’99 Mitsubishi Eclipse manual says you can ground pin 1 (upper left) of the data link connector and count the flashes of the ABS warning light. First longer flashes (1.5 sec each) are the tens digit followed by a 2 sec pause followed by shorter flashes (0.5 sec each) for the ones digit. For example a 24 code will have 2 longer flashes, pause, 4 shorter flashes. No trouble codes will flash continuous shorter pulses. You can pm me the code you get and I'll tell you what it means.

 

[truwarrior]

Dang, light went off. I'll have to wait for it to come back on.

 

[vtracer20]

Well here's the deal, i decided to do a overhaul of my rotors and pads and got it done today. It was like a 4 day deal cause of the super hot weather, could only do one at a time. anyways, i went for a drive today and my ABS light came on and i stopped the car and pulled to the side and turn off the car...well it seemed that someone was still on, it's like a motor under where the ABS lines are, one way it would shut off was when i disconnected the battery...anyone wana tell me what's the deal here?

 

[DROOPY209]

sorry to bring this back from the dead but im having these same symptoms as well....
except my abs light is on the whole time.

 

[silvercoupe97]

I had a similar problem also. My ABS light came on too but no pedal surge, just the light which went off after my car sat for a day and hasn't came back on (600 miles later). The ABS light does flicker before it goes off (from it's initial light check).

 

[Ellery4u]

Well unfortunately the typical OBDII readers don't produce a code for DSM unless you have a specific reader with the DSM specific codes loaded.

I have heards lots of issues where the tolerances of sensors or measured slots of non OEM parts would cause the ABS computer to freak.

My 98 GST has it's ABS Lights on permanently and the last I heard from the dealer was that the ABS computer was out. I don't know if I really believe it but I've unplugged the ABS computer and nothing ever resets.

Does anyone have a suggestion of how to reset the ABS Light on a 98 GST oi test the ABS computer to make sure it's still good?

Thanks!

 

[91gsxboosted]

A lot of times the small motor for the abs goes bad. It also can draw a lot of power when it goes bad. My suggestion to you huys would be take the fuse out of the abs which is located right on the battery, and see if it keeps doing it. I would have to guess it won't. If it does it probaly is not a problem with the abs. My car was doing the same thing so I yanked that fuse out. I don't have working abs anymore, but my car doesn't go crazy when I touch the brakes. For the person who had the clicking noise by the stereo, your computer may be trying to make up for the abs, or your computer may be going bad. Usually the clicking there is a good sign of a bad computer.
-Joey

 

[wcpierson]

my abs light is on, on my dash even after resetting the ecu the light still remains...what could cause this sensor to be going off? what should i check? i think it began when i connected my datalogger is this possible?

 

[spectr019]

okay YES!!!! I have the same problem. I havn't done any electrical work (except hooking up a turbo timer), and my ABS light came on. The weird thing is my abs worked just fine two winters ago in the snow (I didn't drive it this winter). So yeah man I'm in the same boat as you are. If you are able to figure it out, would you mind PM'ing me and letting meknow what's up? Thanks


Ben

 

[The_EE]

I found a article that was written in my local paper's automotive section about ABS lights coming on, pretty much it says...

" The problem can be as minor as low brake fluid in the reservoir or a malfunction in the anti-lock brake system. A point of general information for our readers with ABS brake systems: When you turn the key on and the brake light stays on, it indicated either a hardware failure or low brake fluid. If you start to drive and the ABS light comes on, this usually indicates a problem in the wheel speed sensor. "

 

[luv2rallye]

For the 2g look here: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=197283

 

[xcelr8n]

Do you have a datalogger plugged in? I'm pretty sure if you do that will cause ABS light to come on. I think it happened to my buddy and he didnt know why for months and months, than after unplugging logger one day the light went off.

 

[fieromx3]

for the abs light on the gauge cluster does anyone know how to turn it off? its on rite now and im wondering how to disconnect it. dont ask why its on or that there is something wrong with the abs system, i know there is, but i wanna turn the light of without tearing apart the gauge cluster.

 

[MrBoxx]

Pull the fuse or disconnect the LED. I've got the same problem, but I'm hoping DSMLink can clear it up in the DTC section.

 

[fieromx3]

what fuse? is the fuse in the engine bay in a small black box near the abs unit and the top is clear and its a 60 amp?? is it one of the fusibles?

 

[6bolt2g]

My abs light has been on solid for 2 weeks now. I have check all the wheel sensors, changed the alternator and battery,checked all fuses, and checked the brake fluid. Any help would be greatly apprieciated. Thanks

 

[diablos991]

When mine went out, it was the ABS controller that is down under the drivers side headlight area.
I just had satan diagnose it, so I can't tell you how to diagnose that part. Sorry.

 

[jtmcinder]

How many times does it blink when you first start the car?

Have you grounded the diagnostic wire and counted the long and short blinks?

You can get a lot of information without a $2000 MUT-II tool.

- Jtoby

 

[6bolt2g]

How many times does it blink when you first start the car?

Have you grounded the diagnostic wire and counted the long and short blinks?

You can get a lot of information without a $2000 MUT-II tool.

- Jtoby

The abs does not blink at all. Once I put the key into acc or on, the light just stays solid. For a while, the light was going off once I took the keys out and restarted it. Now it just wont go away. How do I go about grounding this diagnostic wire. I have a 98awd.