| Author |
Message |
j scott leonard (Jscott)
Junior Member
Username: Jscott
Post Number: 73
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 04, 2002 - 7:57 pm: | |
Still can't figure out why the light is on. How do you get to the bulb? I tested the brakes, work fine. |
Lawrence Coppari (Lawrence)
New member
Username: Lawrence
Post Number: 12
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 03, 2002 - 6:04 am: | |
I've had ABS on three German cars. It worked very well on each vehicle only allowing momentary lockup. I drove the 400E at a Road Atlanta drivers school as a substitute for my leaking 328 in the early 90's. The brakes worked with no lockup. All three cars were Mercedes.
The problem I see with ABS is that it is so forgiving that it may give a sense of security that causes some drivers to tailgate more than they normally would.
Just my 2 cents worth - some days I have lots of pennies. |
BretM (Bretm)
Advanced Member
Username: Bretm
Post Number: 2551
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 02, 2002 - 6:30 pm: | |
I know there is a problem, that's what I'm saying. Even look at that 355 autocrossing, he locks them up no problem even though it has ABS, and they don't unlock until he lets off. Neither of my cars have ABS, I'm referring more to other family member cars. I have found the German cars tend to work the best out of the group and for the most part American cars seem to be the worst, but that's my $.02. There is really no meaning or debate that I'm trying to invoke, I've just never been in a car where I've felt the ABS kick in other than nonsense, not really standing on it stops. I assume that since most hard, tire locking stops, are at low speeds it has trouble picking it up. Looks like I'll have to take out my mom's new MB and do a field test... |
Edward Gault (Irfgt)
Intermediate Member
Username: Irfgt
Post Number: 1278
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 02, 2002 - 5:36 pm: | |
Bret, if they lock up for more than a split second then there is something wrong with their operation. I work on ABS all the time and just luckilly I have an open grass field less than a block away from my shop that I can test them out without risking flat spotting the customers tires. |
BretM (Bretm)
Advanced Member
Username: Bretm
Post Number: 2549
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 02, 2002 - 5:12 pm: | |
There's no doubt that factory numbers support ABS, I'm just saying that nearly every vehicle that has ABS that I've been in just simply locks up the wheels if you stand on it. |
Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Junior Member
Username: Hardtop
Post Number: 126
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 02, 2002 - 4:50 pm: | |
If I am not mistaken, I believe the factory specs show that 60-0 stopping distance is about 20 feet shorter with ABS models. Actually, if someone would go to the trouble of looking up the distance in their non ABS car (it's in the manual) I would like to compare notes.
Dave |
Joseph Caretti (Pino)
New member
Username: Pino
Post Number: 21
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 02, 2002 - 2:32 pm: | |
I would definitely find out what your error code 3 translates to, and disconnecting things sounds like a bad idea. I wouldn't underestimate the benefits of an anti-lock braking system that is working properly. Are you certain that a sensor or ring wasn't damaged as a result of your tire change? |
BretM (Bretm)
Advanced Member
Username: Bretm
Post Number: 2542
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 02, 2002 - 1:59 pm: | |
My experiences with ABS lead me to believe it doesn't really exist and is in fact just a clutter of sensors that supposedly make you stop faster, but in reality does nothing. |
j scott leonard (Jscott)
Junior Member
Username: Jscott
Post Number: 69
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 02, 2002 - 11:44 am: | |
Thanks for the thoughts so far. Actually, I have the same tires, Michelin Pilots, same size. Rob, the 328 has both a light for the ABS as well as a "Brake Failure" light. I know that the ABS is not essential and the manual states that the standard braking system is not affected by an ABS failure. However, I want things right if possible. |
Craig Dewey (Craigfl)
Member
Username: Craigfl
Post Number: 368
Registered: 1-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 02, 2002 - 11:38 am: | |
I think the key is it happened when you put the new tires on. Did you stay with the same rolling diameter tire? Even though they may be the same profile 225X50 & 205X55, the particular tire you used may have a significant enough difference in the rolling diameters(speed difference) to cause the ABS speed sensing circuit to question if something is wrong. |
Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator
Username: Rob328gts
Post Number: 1527
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, May 02, 2002 - 11:22 am: | |
My 86 doesn't have ABS, but the brake light comes on when brake pressure is lower or the sensor in the brake pads are set off. Do you have a different light for those brake problems? |
Lawrence Coppari (Lawrence)
New member
Username: Lawrence
Post Number: 11
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 02, 2002 - 11:19 am: | |
Variances in tire circumference can cause havoc as well. Some Benzes do not like snow tires for the same reason. |
Lawrence Coppari (Lawrence)
New member
Username: Lawrence
Post Number: 10
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 02, 2002 - 11:17 am: | |
I have a 400E, V-8 32 valve Mercedes. It had the ABS light come on accompanied by the cruise control not working. This was at about 90K miles. The problem was the speed sensors in the front wheels. They are magnets and pick up the filings from the brakes, either rotor or pad metallic particles. The little magnets looked like Chia Pets. Once cleaned off, problem went away. There are teeth on the hub that send signals so wheel speed can be compared. The signals became erroneous shutting down the system. It resets every time you start the car if yours works like mine does.
Just a thought. |
j scott leonard (Jscott)
Junior Member
Username: Jscott
Post Number: 68
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 02, 2002 - 11:05 am: | |
I have asked this before and still have not resolved my ABS light problem. I had new tires put on and the light now stays on constantly. We checked the sensors and everything seems fine.All wires connected. Tried to reset the system and got a "code 3 brake failure message". I think that everything is working and am tempted to disconnect the light since I don't race the car and just drive it for fun and never in the rain. However, any suggestions? How do I get to the light if I want to disconnec it? Thanks for any help. |