What ABS?

[Brazenhead]

So it's been snowing here for about the last week or so and the temperatures are pretty frigid. This morning there are wind chill warnings in effect from -40 to -45 celcius the FJC has had no problems starting, ofcourse i've been plugging it in. I've noticed that the clutch has been very mushy when cold like i've seen someone else mention before on the board. The suspension is quite stiff aswell probably due to the fact that i'm driving around in a block of ice. But my biggest concern is the lack of ABS, I'm not feeling any pulsating in the brake pedal and i'm getting wheel lock on patches of ice when braking hard. I'm also pretty sure that there is an indicator light that comes on to let you know that it has activated (which is not coming on). I've made an appointment at the dealership and will be taking it in tomorrow but was wondering if anyone could help me possibly troubleshoot.

This could be a long shot but is it possible that something may have been disconnected when the lift was installed?

Thanks in advance for any advice given.

 

[Jim S.]

As a former Edmontonian, I have 1 suggestion: MOVE SOUTH!

 

[Brazenhead]

As a former Edmontonian, I have 1 suggestion: MOVE SOUTH!

Unfortunately that is not an option for the time being.

 

[FirstToy]

If the abs wires were disconnected or broken, the dash lights would immediately turn on, indicating a problem.
It does sound unusual. I remember being on a icey trail and braking over large patches of ice, I could hear and feel the abs cycle (but still slid, can't break the rules of physics ). This was on a 03 4Runner-

since the atrac is using the abs system- try twisting it up a bit and use the atrac to see if it engages and all is working.
Tell us what the dealer says. good luck

 

[BC_FJC]

Don't know about the dash light but you will hear it when it engages... we have been in a deep freeze here and I know that I have been hearing it when starting out and when stopping when in AWD but don't remember hearing anything if I put it in 4H... I will try tonight on the way home to see if 4WD turns off the ABS.

 

[BC_FJC]

my ABS worked in 4H... don't know what the problem would be... keep up posted

 

[Brazenhead]

Well i took it in at 7:30 am this morning and recieved a call at about 10:00 am saying that my FJ was ready, I asked the guy on the phone what the problem was? He said that they had hooked it up to their scanner and no codes showed up so they took it for a test drive and everything was working properly.

I'm absolutely positive that it was not working before i took it in. I tried to activate it in several different circumstances and nothing but wheel lock, no pulsating, no noise, no nothing. I can't explain why it is working now, but it is. At least i wasn't charged anything for the shop time.

But i do feel a bit stupid. Maybe that was their intention!

 

[BC_FJC]

always seems to be the way it go's... take it in and they can never find a problem...

 

[FirstToy]

with something as important as your abs, better safe than sorry! at least you know now- could be just one of those ghosts that appears when the stars align