Would you assume my ABS control module is bad?

[John Livingston]

Another reason to keep the Monty over the Subaru is towing capacity. I've got a two-story, very old clapboard house and use my Nifty Lift to reach the higher areas to address the never-ending paint issues. I'm too GD old to stack scaffolding anymore. The Subaru wouldn't come close to towing that lift. Plus, I'd really like to try painting one of my heaps at some point, and the Subie's paint is fine.

After some traveling for the holidays, I'm back under the hood. See if you wince when I tell you my latest brainstorm.

It seemed to me that, since I had 12V on the O/Y wire south of the ABS pump relay, when the engine was running, but zero volts on the same wire where it goes into the controller at pin 17, I should try running a jumper between those two points. I put in two taps, connected with a 30A fuse. Had voltage both ends. ABS light went out. I celebrated by heading to the gas station. The ABS light came back on and stayed on. I'm no longer seeing 12V south of the pump relay. I can find no fuses blown (I checked #14 on the side of the dash, and the two big 30A jobs under the hood - I think maybe there's one more). Eventually, I'll pull the battery to get access to the relay, so I can check its terminals, but I think I'll go see if I can screw up my mini-splits' compressor instead. We've got something of a heat wave, and I need to have it in AC mode to add refrigerant.

 

[410Fortune]

Mini split time!!! I love those things
Have installed many minis
Must be in the relay?

 

[John Livingston]

Well, I HAVE A RESOLUTION! The Monty is way overdue for state inspection. I feared my mechanic would see the ABS light and he'd throw a new control unit at it to see if that fixed it. I'm guessing that'd cost me $400 or if he did it, so I ordered one. AutoZone seemed cheapest, at about $180 (with some discount) and a $50 core coming off that. So $130 net. I installed it, and I've not seen the ABS light, after the start-up test, come on since. I do greatly appreciate all the help, and especially the offer of a known good controller, but I thought that should go to someone more in need than I. Now I'm going to work on engine oil leaks, starting with the valve covers. I'll do the intake gaskets, too. I have a new passenger side exhaust manifold on the parts pyramid, so I'll fit that and a new EGR valve and tube. That'll save me the trouble of having to try to unscrew the old one.

Thanks again! I sure learned a lot about reading wiring diagrams!

John