Disable ABS/ETC

[lanecito]

I live in the Republic of Panama where I don't have access to a ready pool of spare parts and mechanics for more technical aspects.
For some years I have had problems with ABS/ETC on my 2001 T4R. I have never felt the ABS kick in. Now in the morning there is a squawking like a chicken being strangled, with ABS and brake warning lights on, followed by a 15 second warning signal, until it gives up and shuts up until tomorrow.
As for ETC, the warning light has always been on, but lately if I disconnect the battery, it resets and operates in a crazy manner, practically killing the engine as I start into an intersection, etc .
My electrician/mechanic checked the codes and tells me I need to replace the ABS module. New Toyota parts are insanely expensive here....
So I want to turn the systems off and leave them off, not do part-time wheelies in the mud--no snow here in Panama.
Your advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[96RedRunner]

Search for Andy Mod 2.0, will explain it all.

 

[St Runner]

You can also just remove the ABS fuse. This will disable both the abs and the vcs. You need to remove two bolts on the bottom of the abs fuse to get it out

 

[lanecito]

More on ABS/ETC problem

My 2001 T4R has 2 ABS fuses--ABS1 (60amps) and ABS2 (40amps).
ABS2 popped right out. ABS1 refused to budge--I did not see any screws.
So I tried to drive the car and quickly realized that I had lost most braking and the ABS warning was sounding constantly. Popped the fuse back in and restored braking.
So now I assume that it is ABS1 which needs to come out. Unless I get other advice from this forum, I will check with my electro-mechanico about removing it.
Meanwhile my ETC light has come on full time; the system is off and no longer butting in at bad moments.
This forum rocks!

 

[Mark_BC]

Doesn't amayama ship to panama?

 

[St Runner]

You want to remove the ABS1 60 amp on the drivers side engine fuse box. Disconnect the battery, remove the three bolts holding the fusebox to the fender. there is a series of clips that hold the upper fuses to the main box. release them with a flathead screwdriver and separate as much as you can. Now you can see a 8mm bolt holding a wire from the battery and the fuse. Remove both bolts and remove the fuse, then replace the wires and bolts. I did this on my 2001 a few weeks ago. Brakes work normal just without abs and traction control

 

[lanecito]

Thanks St Runner--this is exactly the info I need. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[JayRolla]

Doesn't amayama ship to panama?

Oem module at camelback is $1900. Bet still super pricey even from amayama.

 

[RockyMtnToyoter]

You can also just remove the ABS fuse. This will disable both the abs and the vcs. You need to remove two bolts on the bottom of the abs fuse to get it out

I did this back in winter after the first time I drove my new project truck in snowy conditions. My old Tacoma doesn't have ABS & I am in tune with driving it in the snow. I quickly found out how bad the 3rd Gen ABS is in my 4Runner! Coming downhill up to a couple intersections I couldn't stop & slid into the intersection. I just need one of those small TRD or TMS decals now to cover the amber ABS light on my dash.

I bought a '97 4Runner SR5 that has manual transmission & TRD electric locker same as my '99 TRD Tacoma. I've been swapping all the good parts off my Tacoma to the 4Runner since last Fall.

 

[lanecito]

Job done!

Once my electro-mechanico understood what I wanted, he knocked it out with some changes to the procedure above.
He popped the clips and pulled up the fuse assemblies and wires without unbolting. He then removed the bolt holding the fuse wire, stuffed the wire out of the way, and replaced the bolt, leaving the deactivated fuse in place. Put it all back together, and done!
So now I have 3 warning lights lit which beats the hell out of the chicken squawking and bs from before. Brakes work fine.
Thanks to all who responded.

 

[lanecito]

Spoke too soon!

The chicken under the hood/behind the steering wheel began squawking again. Any ideas? It shuts up after 2-3 minutes and is quiet for the rest of the day.
But meanwhile, the ETC is not sticking its foot in, so I am well ahead.

 

[pavelvoivoda]

I have a few questions about your 4Runner.

Can you let us know what engine it has?
Is it imported into Panama or is it domestic?

Does it have a 3rd row seat?

Can you share some pictures of the engine bay and interior - shift levers, cargo area?

Thanks

 

[Lindenwood]

I quickly found out how bad the 3rd Gen ABS is in my 4Runner! Coming downhill up to a couple intersections I couldn't stop & slid into the intersection.

That was neither caused by, nor exacerbated by, the presence of ABS. The NHTSA has consistently found that 4-wheel ABS reduces stopping distances on all surfaces except deep gravel. Further, 4-wheel ABS essentially eliminates the yaw under emergency braking on slick surfaces braking that is otherwise almost guaranteed without skilled driver intervention. Finally, the presence of ABS does not at all preclude driver-controlled threshold braking.

I am all for removing the system if it is broken, but lets not pretend that removing ABS will actually decrease on-road stopping distances or increase on-road controllability.