[kirtydandra]

I've recently had the thought of using a normally closed relay and putting it inline with the ABS pump power.

idea being that when the relay is energized it will disable the ABS system making for better braking in muddy/slippery type conditions when I'm out on the trail.

my hypothesis is that the ABS light will come on to let me know it has been deactivated and will turn back off after i turn the switch off (maybe after a key cycle?) to let me know the system is functioning as i do love it for street driving.

has anyone else thought of this? better yet anyone done this? am i missing anything as to why this may be a bad idea? reason for this is i ran into a situation last winter where ABS hurt me more than helped. would like to have this cured by this winter so i can feel a bit more comfortable about it.

 

[kirtydandra]

Yes an easy and cheap mod indeed.

I didn't think of the insurance issue. I realistically think the only time it would be scrutinized that hard is if there was a fatality in said accident?

Maybe I'll get sneaky and hide everything nicely.

But I believe whether abs or not here in WA you'd just get a "unable to control your vehicle" or a "following to closely" ticket.

I am definitely going to be doing this mod in the near future and will post on this thread with pics and final results, costs, etc.

 

[kirtydandra]

so with the engine running i pulled the #18 10A fuse on the inside panel. owners manual labels it as the ABS Control/Cruise Control fuse.

the result being with the fuse pulled the ABS light on dash was illuminated. reinstalled the fuse and the light goes out!!! no key cycle necessary!

so now i just need to figure what wire at the pump to tap into for the same result and ill have "on-the-fly" ABS control which is exactly as i hoped for.

 

[kirtydandra]

That's because the tranny lost output speed. Different scenario that affected multiple systems. I suppose that could happen too. But since I'll be tapping into pump power or ABS module power it will only set a localized DTC for ABS only and shouldn't affect any other systems. Very good thought though!

 

[kirtydandra]

My park brake is the drum hat style where there are rear drum shoes inside the rotor.
That being said they are not designed to be used for a panic or everyday braking as the shoes under that stress tend to break.
Not sure if your newer OBs have the ratchet style calipers but I definitely wouldn't use the e brake for trying to stop in a slippery situation. Unles it was the most
Absolute last resort.

 

[kirtydandra]

ha yes which is why a switch whilst off road would be perfect! i dont tend to use CC when bouncing down a rocky hill. haha

 

[kirtydandra]

no not yet. ha. i want to so badly but the place i want to put the switch requires me to get an aftermarket single din stereo.

i had plans to make a plate to fill the space below the stereo and put 2 mini gauges (oil and volts) on either side and the switch right in the middle. perhaps ill find a temp location i can lay the switch for now just so this thread can be finished off. ill post pics of where i put the relay, what wire i split, etc.

 

[kirtydandra]

not much progress yet! do have the switch installed. I spent a bit figuring out which wire the fuse powers and it runs right into the module.

its the only way ive found to disable and enable the abs without a key cycle.

the abs module is under the pass seat? can someone confirm this? does the seat need to come out and the carpet lifted? if so im only about 30 mins away from having this completed.

been to busy for my toys lately. hoping to have some time soon!