1989 328 ABS Light not working

When I turn the ignition key on I think the 2nd notch as with all cars several lights on the dashboard illuminate to show the bulbs are working. I noticed my ABS & Slowdown light do not light up prior to starting my car. I'm not sure when it started but I know they both used to work. All other lights work correctly, no blown fuses, ABS pump works.

I checked the slowdown bulb by grounding the brown/red wire on the 15 pin connector in the trunk per an old Steve Magnusson thread and the bulb works. I'm thinking Slowdown ECU is out but it makes we wonder if it could be something else like the ignition switch (I replaced it 8 years ago) because they both stopped working about the same time.

The breaks seem to work fine. I haven't slammed on the brakes to see if the ABS is working though. Does anyone know if it is possible to jump a wire to test ABS light?

Any help would be much appreciated!

 

The easy answer re ABS is to do as you mentioned, slam on the brakes to see if the ABS engages. Frankly, I do this at least once every time I'm out by myself in any ABS vehicle for two reasons:

1. Exercise the pertinent valves - nothing is worse for a mechanical devices than to never use them.

2. Be comfortable with the "feel" of ABS engaging. I have known people who felt the "ABS chatter" in the brake pedal and instinctively backed off the pedal, resulting in a collision because they essentially quit braking.

FWIW, if my 328 hasn't been driven for a couple of months - like over the winter, - the ABS check light will illuminate after turning on the ign switch for probably 20 seconds, maybe more. If it has been driven recently, it goes out in a few seconds.

 

I hate ABS!

 

I agree. It's annoying to have to deal with a braking system that can stop/control the car better in an emergency than I can!

 

that is......until you need it

I can tell you that if it works its doing a pretty good job

 

What would be involved in replacing the light bulb....in effort and time?

 

Have you actually driven an ABS 328? Its impossible to hate this ABS. There is literally nothing there to dislike.

Plenty to love though, apart from the obvious ability to stop better in an emergency, the system as a whole has a great feel when being used normally. Its more responsive than a vacuum servo assisted system which is essentially reactive, as its always fully pressurized.

 

I found my problem with the ABS light not coming on, the bulb socket was corroded. After cleaning it up it works as designed. Thank you LORD. ABS is the last issue I would want to deal with!
I have yet to solve the issue with the Slow Down light not coming on. After reading several threads on the issue looks like the fix would be 1. Replace the Slow Down ECU 2. Replace bad bulb/socket 3. Replace thermocouple. I don’t know how to test the ECU but, bulb & thermocouple are both good. It is bizarre that when I tested the bulb by grounding the brown/red wire on the 15 pin connector in the trunk per an old Steve Magnusson thread the bulb comes on (bulb is good). I put the 15 pin connector back together turn the key and the light works as designed for a few tries before it eventually stops working again. It seems like I have a ground issue. Why would the light work as designed after grounding per SM thread then stop working again? I really want everything to work as it is supposed to. A new ECU is about $600 US. If I have to purchase a new one I will but not totally convinced something else is going on.
Also, another interesting bit of information I found out from another old Steve Magnusson thread is “the Lambda system relies on a signal from the (notoriously wacky) slow-down warning light ECU to enable closed-loop running when warm (the slowdown warning light ECU uses the signal from the thermocouple to determine when things are "warm enough" and then provides this "OK, go closed-loop" signal over to the injection ECU).”
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/technical-q/75193-aftermarket-efi-emissions.html
I thought the only function of the Slow Down ECU was to read the thermocouple temp and relayed a signal to the Slow Down Bulb to come on during a high cat temp. Your thoughts would be much appreciated.

 

Reflecting back, I did disconnect the magnetic battery connection under the front bonnet a few times when unplugging and plugging in the 15 pin connector to the ECU. It could be corroded causing my ground issue (if I have one). The slowdown light has come on every time I've checked for the last couple days. I haven't touched the battery connection.

It would be great if both of my issues were solved by cleaning a connection.