Since installing new front wheel bearing assemblys, I have had a on and off ABS warning light. Brakes worked well so I was not too concerned. Thought it was lint type stuff in the ABS contact. Been very busy and made mistake of not addressing the warning light.

Yesterday, on Interstate, ABS light came on and stayed. When I tried to slow down, found brake pedel felt like there was a block of wood under it. No travel and no brakes. I pulled over and finally removed the ABS relay from the fuse box. Brakes worked fine!

Reading Service Manual when I got home and believe the ABS ISO valve actuated and stopped pressure build up to the calipers. Sensors apparently thought the front wheels were not turning. (I don't really understand all this but what i read seems to match what I experienced.)

Any one have an idea what caused this scenario? How is what happened to me on the road, connected to new front wheel bearing install?

RJ

 

Each wheel has a speed sensor afixed to the spindle and a toothed wheel inside the rotor to determine wheel speed so the antilock processor can activate the system when it senses a wheel lock up.When you changed the bearing you may have moved the sensor in some way, Or the toothy ring inside the rotor that helps make the signal. Have a look to see that the wire is still connected to the sensor and the toothed ring is still in place. The sensor may have been accidentily been damaged when removing the old bearing.

 

Thanks Carp!
Found the problem.... back in business!

RJ

 

And it was..........................?

 

Sensor wire not properly/fully attached. Interesting and scary that it lead to inoperative brakes and not just ABS failure!

RJ

 

Glad to help. With the sensor not working properly the brake computer might have seen it as a lock up condition and dumped the brake pessure to free it up. A tad inconvienient when thats not the case and your just trying to stop.