No ABS or Heat?

My nephew picked up a 98 SVT 3 weeks ago and he is already having problems. Fuse 3(ABS, Blower motor) keeps blowing during hard braking. This is one of the fuses that needs to be replaced by the dealer. If you disconnect Fuse 7(ABS), Fuse 3 no longer blows, but he also does not have ABS. Obviously there is something wrong with the ABS. The shop is telling him that the entire ABS system needs to be replaced and quoted $1,300 - $1,500 for a used system. Is this a common problem? I have never heard of this. Is there a "part" of the ABS system that could be causing the problem, so he doesn't have to replace it all? Thanks.

Steve

Not saying this is the cause, but check out the condition of the engine wiriing harnesses if the car is a early edition SVT. Some of these editions were made with the defective insulation. I have a 96 SE that had a intermittently operational ABS system. Dealer wanted $2700 to fix . I lived with it for a few years till I had the M9903 recall done (your car will not apply) Since then the ABS works fine.
http://www.contour.org/FAQ/recall/99M03/

Autozonelink has some info on ABS Brakes.
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/1e/b3/98/0900823d801eb398.jsp

You could some "simple" tests.
1) Buy a box of Fuse 7 (30AMPS).
2) Remove speed sensors on each wheel.
3) Drive and step on brakes. Does Fuse 7 blow? Yes, most probably problem closer to HCU or wiring near HCU.
If fuse 7 does not blow, then most probably problem is speed sensor or wiring closer to speed sensor.
4) Install one speed sensor, then continue until you find the one which blows Fuse 7. That sensor or wiring for that sensor should be the problem.
5) If it is chaffed wiring, and you don't want to check the harness, try "Liquid Rubber" (liquid tape) sold at Home Depot or Lowes.

Thanks for the idea Tony, but I'm not sure this will work in this case. The problem is that fuse 7 isn't the one that blows. Fuse 3 is the one that keeps blowing. Removing fuse 7(hence disabling the ABS) keeps fuse 3 from blowing.

I suppose we could try this process for fuse 3. Do you think this would work?

cruises8 said:

..I suppose we could try this process for fuse 3. Do you think this would work?

Click to expand...

Only one way to know. Do try it.