HELP ME MY ABS AlMOST KILLED ME.

Question for everyone: when I pulled the fuse, it looks like it broke.....I can't really tell how exactly it's supposed to come out. It did not come out easy...I had to use a pair of pliers. I'm going to leave it out, so it's not that big of a deal...but if I did want to replace it, what's the trick to taking them in and out?

You probably did break the fuse. The fuse is screwed in from underneath. You gotta unscrew the whole fuse block and turn it sideways to get the the screw that holds the ABS fuse in.
 
Yeah my 98 has absolutely horrendous ABS. I shudder at the thought of using it on the icy roads here. When I need to stop on icy pavement, I try to pump the brake firmly and slow down to where my tires won't lose traction because once that ABS kicks in, you can pretty much kiss any sort of stopping power goodbye.
 
You probably did break the fuse. The fuse is screwed in from underneath. You gotta unscrew the whole fuse block and turn it sideways to get the the screw that holds the ABS fuse in.

I had an idea that was the case. It was dark and cold, and I just wanted it out. lol. I'll take the broken part out properly, and maybe get a new one if I decide to wire a switch into it.
 
I have a 96 limited.

Well, I was going up a bridge when the taxi in front of me suddenly braked hard. It was a good distance from me to the taxi and I hit the brakes hard. Guess what, no stopping power and I slammed into the trunk of the taxi. I could hear and feel the ABS working with an intermittent low screeching sound from the tires. My tires were a month old, the road was completely dry and traction was good. But the 4R didnt want to slow down for like forever. Worst thing is that there apparently was a car tailgating me and he slammed into my rear as well. Two bumpers, left headlight, grill, tailgate, maybe other damage. But you should see the other cars.

I definitely prefer no ABS. I will disengage ABS on my 96 as soon as I get repairs done. It never snows or freezes where I live.
 
I have a 96 limited.

Well, I was going up a bridge when the taxi in front of me suddenly braked hard. It was a good distance from me to the taxi and I hit the brakes hard. Guess what, no stopping power and I slammed into the trunk of the taxi. I could hear and feel the ABS working with an intermittent low screeching sound from the tires. My tires were a month old, the road was completely dry and traction was good. But the 4R didnt want to slow down for like forever. Worst thing is that there apparently was a car tailgating me and he slammed into my rear as well. Two bumpers, left headlight, grill, tailgate, maybe other damage. But you should see the other cars.

I definitely prefer no ABS. I will disengage ABS on my 96 as soon as I get repairs done. It never snows or freezes where I live.

That "intermittent low screeching sound" you heard coming from your tires is the sound of a properly working ABS system. If you had time to react and the space to do so, you could probably have steered around the collision.
This is a perfect example of this thread and many others breeding misinformation. If you had disabled your ABS prior to that incident, you would have been in much worse shape. I guess the car behind you had lousy ABS also.
I am not denying that many T4R members have faulty ABS systems. Yours is NOT one of them.
 
I was coming down 395 ~35 mph. when everyone at the bottom of the hill started to stop. I eased on the breaks and the back end started to slide around. i ended up jamming it in manual L to gain traction and stop. Probably wasnt good for it but better then in the back of someone. i had ~10-12 car lengths in front of me so i had time. but its scary not having control. thats for sure.
 
After driving my 4runner for 2 months and doing several tests, my ABS had to come out. I live in Canada and the snow is brutal. The ABS with the old tires was DEADLY, New tires just DANGEROUS. After removing the fuse and doing more testing I am much more confident to stop without the ABS.
If your new to the T4R world like i am I highly recomend removing the ABS fuse. Plan and simple you can stop better on snow covered and wet roads much faster and safer.
 
Yup

That "intermittent low screeching sound" you heard coming from your tires is the sound of a properly working ABS system. If you had time to react and the space to do so, you could probably have steered around the collision.
This is a perfect example of this thread and many others breeding misinformation. If you had disabled your ABS prior to that incident, you would have been in much worse shape. I guess the car behind you had lousy ABS also.
I am not denying that many T4R members have faulty ABS systems. Yours is NOT one of them.

Okay, maybe I was overreacting a little. But I was just appalled at how long it took before the car stopped. Eventually it was the car in front that helped me come to a full stop.

However, I was aware that the intermittent screeching was the ABS working. I also understand that I could have tried to steer around the car stopped in front of me, but that would have taken me over the side of the bridge or into oncoming traffic.

What I really needed was to stop in as short a distance as possible. ABS did NOT allow me to do that. I think the stopping distance of ABS equipped vehicles against non ABS equipped vehicles on the dry road is
well documented, such that its no longer misinformation. As I said, it never snows or freezes in my parts. So ABS is not as useful for me here.

So out it goes. At least for now.
 
What I really needed was to stop in as short a distance as possible. ABS did NOT allow me to do that. I think the stopping distance of ABS equipped vehicles against non ABS equipped vehicles on the dry road is
well documented, such that its no longer misinformation. As I said, it never snows or freezes in my parts. So ABS is not as useful for me here.

So out it goes. At least for now.

You have absolutely NO chance of being able to stop sooner without ABS on dry pavement. None whatsoever. Without ABS you will lock up and skid. Skidding is not the faster way to stop, thats why ABS was invented in the first place. The 4Runners ABS "issues" are that it seems to be too sensitive and kicks in when not needed, not that it functions poorly. It still works extremely well.

The reason you hit that vehicle in front of you was 100% driver error. You didn't allow enough stopping distance for in case they stop suddenly. The ABS actually made your inevitable impact slightly less severe.
 
For those of you having ABS problems, Have any of you taken the ABS sensors out to clean them and install the sensors back (make sure it seats all the way in)?
After my Tundra brake upgrade, ABS was kicking in when I was coming to a stop (at low speed) causing the car to jolt forward.
I took the sensors out and reinstalled them. Took care of the problem.
 
For those of you having ABS problems, Have any of you taken the ABS sensors out to clean them and install the sensors back (make sure it seats all the way in)?
After my Tundra brake upgrade, ABS was kicking in when I was coming to a stop (at low speed) causing the car to jolt forward.
I took the sensors out and reinstalled them. Took care of the problem.

My abs system is working flawlessly and it is still dangerous trail riding. My last outing to the local OHV trail, i was working it in 2wd (abs is on) and during times of high articulation or when one wheel is off the ground, the abs goes crazy and I lose all control of brakes and it causes the truck to proceed out of control.
 
Im not looking into a debate on ABS systems IN GENERAL. Maybe I should've said that the ABS in MY PARTICULAR 96 LTD is to blame. Not ABS systems in general. I agree that a properly working ABS would've helped. Ive had ABS in many of the vehicles I've driven over the 22 years Ive been driving. Practically all have been good
But the one in my runner is bad.

To confirm this, after the accident, I did NOT disengage the ABS, adjusted driving style, and lo and behold. Its gotten progressively worse. It will kick in slowing down for intersections and give that grinding noise. People will look at me and think Ive hit something. Its caused my nose to stick out of intersections because I couldn't stop for a quick yellow light from 5mph in rush hour traffic. Later on, the ABS lights started to come and go. The thing is... when the ABS light is on, braking was good and no grinding noises.

So I pulled the ABS fuse.

Well, it seemed that there was really something wrong with the ABS on MY PARTICULAR RUNNER to begin with.

Until I figure it out, the ABS fuse stays out.
 
For those of you having ABS problems, Have any of you taken the ABS sensors out to clean them and install the sensors back (make sure it seats all the way in)?
After my Tundra brake upgrade, ABS was kicking in when I was coming to a stop (at low speed) causing the car to jolt forward.
I took the sensors out and reinstalled them. Took care of the problem.

I'm more interested in this post than anything I've read in this entire thread.

I haven't looked, but where are the ABS sensors located?

It makes sense that just like everything else on our trucks, this system needs cleaning and maintenance. I'm not disagreeing that the ABS system used in these trucks may be a bit out dated and poorly designed, but when you factor in deferred maintenance and dirty sensors, that simply magnifies an already existing problem. I'm going to look more into cleaning the sensors before I disable anything.
 
I'm more interested in this post than anything I've read in this entire thread.

I haven't looked, but where are the ABS sensors located?

It makes sense that just like everything else on our trucks, this system needs cleaning and maintenance. I'm not disagreeing that the ABS system used in these trucks may be a bit out dated and poorly designed, but when you factor in deferred maintenance and dirty sensors, that simply magnifies an already existing problem. I'm going to look more into cleaning the sensors before I disable anything.

Sensors -That's exactly what I'm suspecting.

Rear ones can be seen on the thread detailing axle seals and bearing change. Well documented. Front sensors- I don't know.
 
Sorry to bring up an old thread but I'm glad I found this. I thought that I was the only one and that my brakes had issues, as if I had installed something incorrectly. Every time it would rain or I was to go over a bump, while I'm breaking, I would get the same reaction from the car - brakes felt and sounded like they popped out of placed and were grinding. I thought I had for sure warped my rotors. I understand that ABS is a great system for cars to help regain traction, but I have also had many, extremely, close calls with the ABS in my rig. Earlier today while coming down a hill that wasn't that steep, I was going about 30-40 and was approaching a stop sign. Began to brake but ABS kicked in so I began to pump the brakes but ABS would not let my brakes go to work. I had to go through the 3 way stop sign where I had to make a left ( would have gone straight into the house had I kept going straight).

I have been considering the Tundra brake mod, but will see how things turn out.

Thanks for this thread guys, I will be pulling out my ABS fuse tomorrow! :cheers:
 
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Sensors -That's exactly what I'm suspecting.

Rear ones can be seen on the thread detailing axle seals and bearing change. Well documented. Front sensors- I don't know.

Anyone know where these sensors are located, or better yet a write up?
 
Anyone know where these sensors are located, or better yet a write up?

sensors should be in the front hub bearings. Actually, ABS activation at slow speeds is pretty common, especially in GM trucks. Here's how it affects them; Over time, a small layer of rust builds up where the sensor mates to the hub bearing. This rust starts to push the sensor out of the hub, causing eraddic readings from the sensor, activating the ABS. If you remove the sensor, clean the mating area and spray rust inhibitor on it, and reinstall the sensor, you should be all good. Just be careful removing the sensor from the hub, they tend to become somewhat brittle over the years.
 
well mine dosent work for **** thats for shure, today leaving work in 2" of snow at 25 mph it took me almost 150-200 feet to make the judgment to run the stop sign to avoid a badd accident, I still got hit but it could of been alot worse i ended up with a crunched read bumber and broken tail light but the other vehicle that was involved, a penske moving truck, needs a hood, grill, headlight, and bumber... i am running firestone destinations at 75-80% tread :wtf:
 
well mine dosent work for **** thats for shure, today leaving work in 2" of snow at 25 mph it took me almost 150-200 feet to make the judgment to run the stop sign to avoid a badd accident, I still got hit but it could of been alot worse i ended up with a crunched read bumber and broken tail light but the other vehicle that was involved, a penske moving truck, needs a hood, grill, headlight, and bumber... i am running firestone destinations at 75-80% tread :wtf:

you do know that the purpose of ABS is to keep you straight when stopping, and not to make you stop sooner, right? Actually, the opposite is true. When ABS is used, stopping distance actually increases.
 

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