About 18 months ago, I started getting the dreaded ABS Light (with
Trac and ASC not available - 2000 XK8). I cleaned the connectors
at the wheel sensors and applied some conducting grease to the
pins. The problem went away.
Recently, I started getting the lights again. This time, cleaning
the sensors did no good. So I took my ABS module apart. To my
surprise the solder joints to the ABS motor were shiny bright. No
problem there. Replaced the module and the problem persisted.
I was ready for a trip to the dealer to have my codes read. Then I
remembered something. When I would first start the car, I would
have the ABS light (probably a hangover from the previous time it
was tripped). I would then drive off and the ABS light would go
out at about 15 mph (I beleive this is normal). And the lights
would stay off until I pulled into the Home Depot parking lot (this
had been happening consistently for many of my typical springtime
trips to HD). Then it occurred to me that, on every trip to HD, I
would make about four left turns, then the light would come on when
I made my first RIGHT turn.
So I did a little test drive where I would make about six left
turns (no light) then a right turn (light would come on). The
behavior was the same on three consecutive test drives. I began to
suspect the problem had something to do with a wheel sensor. So I
switched the two front wheel sensors to see if the light would
start coming on on left turns. In fact, now that the sensors are
switched, I get no light, regardless of the direction of turn.
My suspicion is that there are two problems (1) one of my wheel
sensors is getting weak and (2)my front wheel bearings are getting
a little slopply (At 110,000 miles they have never been changed,
but I hear no unusual noise and feel no slack).
In any case, I am convinced that my ABS light is related to a wheel
sensor and not to the module. I wonder how many people have
replaced wheel sensors. Perhaps 10 years is about the extent of
their service life. I found a junk yard that will sell me a few
for a small fraction of their new cost. So I may pick one up and
do some further experimentation.–
Glen - 69 E-type OTS, 2000 XK8, 59 MGA
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