ABS is not working??

[DSMvroom]

So I live in NH and we had a hell of a snow recently.

I took the car to an empty parking lot to test out the ABS since I had just purchased the car recently and was yet to try it out.

I got the car to about 20mph, threw the shifter in neutral, and mashed on the brake. Very shortly after, I had no steering response and my tail broke loose! I've done mulitple instances varying the speed anywhere from 15-25mph and the results are consistent. I tried once at roughly 15mph while keeping the car in 1st and the car stalled almost immediately, and was at a complete stop shortly AFTER the motor stalled. :thumbdown

Is my ABS broken? The ABS light is not on; Could someone have disabled it prior to my ownership? Is there a way to find out if it has been disabled?

I appreciate any help you all can provide. I'm currently in northern Virginia for xmas holiday and will be able to try anything you all suggest when I get back.

 

[blackGSX2g]

I'd check the bulb behind the gauge cluster to see if its missing or burnt out. If there is a problem with the ABS that light will be on. My experience with systems like SRS and ABS is that the best place to go is the dealership. They plug the ABS or SRS computer into their computers and read the codes in it. Average shops don't have the vehicle specific know-how or tools to do this. Thats what they told me when I took my winter car to figure out what was wrong with ABS. Most likely its a speed sensor, but the dealership should be able to tell you which one it is. Don't buy it from them though, I think they wanted 300-400 for it whereas Advance Auto or other similar places want around $80-120.

 

[DSMvroom]

thanks for the input. Though, I'd rather not go to the dealer and have to pay them $xx/hr to diagnose it.

Is there any way to check if my ABS has been tampered with?

 

[blackGSX2g]

Well, you could follow all the ABS sensor lines to the computer and make sure there is no corrosion. The front ones go through the front fender though...you need to take it off to access it. Maybe you could call around to local shops to see if they'll diagnose it for you, but the shops I called around here said they couldn't do it, and reccommended going to the dealership.

 

[DSMvroom]

yea i work at an auto parts store that's got a few bays to do minor mechanical work, and they told me the same thing. Oh well, no ABS it is for now i guess.

 

[luv2rallye]

Be thankful you don't have abs - you lose all control over braking with it. It's only good for people who have no idea how to brake their cars.

 

[graf703]

Did you ever find a solution? I have the exact same problem it seems.

and ABS is nice when the rears lock instantly without it!