Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Brakes BAD ABS?!

I've noticed my cars brakes have been acting VERY funny for awhile now and i was told by a friend that its probably my ABS. I brought my car to Midas to get my front rotors and pads changed. I went back today because the grabbing or whataver it was doing didnt stop (which i thought it might after getting the brakes done..) so they took it for a test drive today and he said its the ABS, he said its not working at all. it like kicks in but then doesnt kick out when its supposed to or something. like if i tap the brake, let off then back put it back on i feel a grinding/grabbing or something. anyway he said it would be like 700 to replace the abs unit and crap like that. what is it that i need to replace? is it something that i can do if i goto a junk yard and get an abs unit/brain or something? i dont know how any of this works... im having such bad luck with this car im really starting to HATE my contour. first my tranny, then timing belt and motor, tires, brakes and now ABS. i think ive spent more on fixing it then i actually paid for it. this is really frustrating...anyone know what ican do to fix my abs?

i've had the same thing happen on mine. for a while the abs light would come on then off. this went on for a month. it finally went away on its own. but i know what your talking about w/ the grabbing. does it feel like something is grinding at the firewall behind the brake? i can get the same feeling if i backup pretty quick while turning and then brake. why it physically does it, i dont know

Did Midas pull the diagnostic trouble codes to determine a bad "ABS unit" (I am going to assume they meant hydraulic control unit)? If they DID NOT use an ABS tester to make that diagnosis then they are guessing and you should RUN away from that shop!

The ABS system is controlled by a computer located within the anti-lock brake control module that is constantly testing all the sensors and actuators and will store error codes and eventually light the ABS dash light when something fails (kind of like the emission system). When the ABS light comes on, the computer shuts off the ABS system leaving only normal braking function.

Is the ABS light on? If it is, take your car to a shop that has an ABS tester (hand held box that connects to the ABS data link connector under the dash) and have them read any diagnostic trouble codes. It is almost impossible to diagnose ABS problems without the trouble codes. I suggest you have the shop give you the trouble codes and post them here as a double-check.

Usually the trouble codes will lead to additional testing steps using the tester and sometimes an "ABS break out box" to further isolate the error. Unless you go to a dealer, they probably wont have a break-out box or be able to do the additional testing. Even so, the trouble codes are still the best place to start - you don't want to replace the entire hydraulic control unit for a problem associated with a bad wheel sensor or wiring harness!

One easy thing to check is the fuses. There are 4 fuses associated with the ABS system in one way or another:
ABS Fuse 3 - 60A
ABS Fuse 7 - 30A
Fuse 22 - 7.5A
Fuse 30 - 7.5A

Fuse 3 and 7 are in the power distribution box and fuse 22 and 30 are in the fuse junction panel.

If you do not have an ABS light then the problem is likely not with the ABS system. Have you bled the brakes recently? Did Midas bleed the system after replacing pads and rotors? Dirty old brake fluid and air in the lines and ABS system can cause all kinds of problems - bleed the system to replace the fluid and remove air bubbles and then take you car out for a test drive - you might be pleasantly surprised!

Thanks for the quick replys. 1st off...my ABS light DOES NOT come on @ all..only when I 1st start the car (just like the rest of the lights). 2nd, they didn't use an ABS tester...& he was just telling me what he thought was the problem. I'm not sure if they bled the fluid or not, but I will call tomorrow & double check. I'll check all the fuses, I'm assuming the fuses you were talking about that 2 are in the engine fuse box & 2 are in the footwell fuse box (I don't know the proper terminology for them). If the fuses are o.k., & the ABS light doesn't come on, & they did drain my fluid...where does that leave me?


Hmouta--thats the exact feeling I get..that you described. Esp. going in reverse. Although my ABS light doesn't come on.

Thanks for the help guys.

I highly doubt it is the ABS unit.

I would inspect all of your calipers very carefully, I would suspect that one or more is not sliding freely.

yeah my light was coming on quite a bit for about 3 weeks on and off in the middle of winter. somehow it "fixed" itself if u wanna call it that. the light has stopped coming on and the pedal feel went away though i can still feel it occasionally for a second when coming to a stop. because the light has stopped coming on, i never got it checked out. i hooked up my obd2 scanner it didnt see any codes. i still want to check the system out but bleeding the brakes might be a good idea (planning on doing it anyway).

You need an ABS tester to read out the ABS error codes. They are NOT reported as part of the OBD II emission Errors (check engine light). OTC makes such a tester that works with most ABS systems for about $900.