2G Anti-Lock Brakes Don't Work

[Pablobtown]

I have a 1996 Canadian Eclipse GS-T Spyder. I've noticed that I squealed the tires today (didn't see red light till last second), and that got me thinking... Shouldn't the ABS have kicked in? I mean it's a 96?! Also through winter, I never had to slam on my brakes or brake hard but I never heard and/or felt the ABS kick in if and when I skidded a little bit on ice. Is this normal? I've never seen an ABS light on the dash either. If somebody could throw some info my way it'd be appreciated!

 

[1G Eclipse94928]

I have a 1996 Canadian Eclipse GS-T Spyder. I've noticed that I squealed the tires today (didn't see red light till last second), and that got me thinking... Shouldn't the ABS have kicked in? I mean it's a 96?! Also through winter, I never had to slam on my brakes or brake hard but I never heard and/or felt the ABS kick in if and when I skidded a little bit on ice. Is this normal? I've never seen an ABS light on the dash either. If somebody could throw some info my way it'd be appreciated!

Do you even have abs on your car would be the first question I would ask.

 

[dot45]

Not all eclipses came with ABS.

My 97 GSX doesn't have ABS

 

[pksystems]

If you have it, most would say it's not a very good ABS system. Pulling the fuse on my esi made it actually stop on wet surfaces, instead of skidding 15 extra feet.

Entire ABS system is getting pulled from my AWD.

 

[Phantom DSM]

From what i recall on the 95 i had, the light on dash shows "anti-lock"... You can check if there is a fuse for ABS in the engine fuse box and in the driverside fender well, you can see the abs hydraulic unit with lines running to it.

 

[Pablobtown]

Where would I find the ABS unit? I didn't think to check the fuse box. I have to check sunday when I get back in town. Is it easily installable? Or should I just be asking for a brake upgrade? I heard SS Cobalt Brembos fit nicely on our cars B)

 

[Phantom DSM]

Under the carpet in the passenger side footwell, the abs computer is there behind an aluminum plate. The hydraulic unit is under the power steering reservoir in the engine bay if you look downwards behind the splash shield for the driver side wheel.

 

[fisher83]

Id disconnect it.....it actually increases your stopping distance by backing off brake pressure to keep the tires from locking up.....

 

[Archer Fabrications]

I gotta tell you, i dont believe eclipses were sold in canada. All talons

I'll be pulling my abs also, and you dont find it under the carpet. You find it infront of the driver side wheel well in the engine bay.

Havnt found the abs computer in mine yet

 

[bmxfelon420]

If you pull the ABS fuse the light should come on. I ran with one pulled on my Talon the whole time I owned it because it had a bad wheel sensor that I was too lazy to replace. Unless the light burned out, which i guess is a remote possibility. It should be pretty easy to see if it has ABS though, either look behind the rotor for the little sensor (the sensor ring isnt a good indicator because they tend to come on replacement axles whether you asked for them or not) or on 2gb's there's a plastic box in the vent hole on the drivers side.

 

[VtecvrsTurbo]

Id disconnect it.....it actually increases your stopping distance by backing off brake pressure to keep the tires from locking up.....

That is very bad advice. Do some research on your theory about ABS.

 

[fisher83]

Abs systems keep the tire on the verge of locking up...it looks for any abnormal speed changes in each tire and a valve adjusts flow to the wheels that slip and the wheels that grip so it can maximise stopping distance.. It pulses, which is what you feel in the pedal when you slam on the brakes. If it is constantly adjusting adding and subtracting pressure to keep the tires from locking up, then according to that logic it should increase your stopping distance just based on the fact that the abs controller is trying to keep the brakes from locking up yet still trying to stop you. I didnt say it Increased the distance by hundreds of feet, but it does add some length to your stopping distance....even if it pulses 15 times a second to keep it from locking up....a second is a long time if your trying to stop in a hurry...,

 

[1G Eclipse94928]

That is very bad advice. Do some research on your theory about ABS.

My 90' abs keeps the tires from locking up even with carbon fiber pads, soooo Without it, it stops a little quicker, if you know what your doing. My 2003 cheve turbo diesel you can feel the abs working in your foot and it works better then without, it really depends on how good the abs works.

 

[fisher83]

Thats true...depends on weather you have a 4 valve, 3 valve or single control valve for your abs....that will determine the accuracy and effectiveness of the system.....and abs is a good idea....im not saying it isnt....

 

[Pablobtown]

I gotta tell you, i dont believe eclipses were sold in canada. All talons

I'll be pulling my abs also, and you dont find it under the carpet. You find it infront of the driver side wheel well in the engine bay.

Havnt found the abs computer in mine yet

I'm the second owner, the first owner bought the car in Alabama. But the car has a windshield wiper fluid light (which is ALWAYS on...damn thing...), I heard only Canadian cars have the light. Does this mean my car is "special"? I just don't want to burn through my tires if I have to stop quickly. I feel like I abs would stop me quicker...isn't that point? Or is our abs systems just that terrible?

 

[1G Eclipse94928]

I'm the second owner, the first owner bought the car in Alabama. But the car has a windshield wiper fluid light (which is ALWAYS on...damn thing...), I heard only Canadian cars have the light. Does this mean my car is "special"? I just don't want to burn through my tires if I have to stop quickly. I feel like I abs would stop me quicker...isn't that point? Or is our abs systems just that terrible?

It comes down to practicing with and without and you will be able to tell in 2 tries for each probably. (dry and wet). I found I dont "panic" and smash enough for the tires to lock even with upgraded pads.

 

[bmxfelon420]

I'm the second owner, the first owner bought the car in Alabama. But the car has a windshield wiper fluid light (which is ALWAYS on...damn thing...), I heard only Canadian cars have the light. Does this mean my car is "special"? I just don't want to burn through my tires if I have to stop quickly. I feel like I abs would stop me quicker...isn't that point? Or is our abs systems just that terrible?

The windshield washer light is a 2ga thing. They did away with it in the 2gbs.