ABS going to die???

[montego]

I just bought a stock 96 dico se w/ 100k miles. The lady had records of it being serviced at land rover regurally and the vehicle is mechanically sound. When I went to take a look at it the lady told me that the ABS is over sensitive and sometimes it will pulse at low speeds. Well I drove the vehicle and it never happened, but I did notice the ABS light on. She also said that she just brought it to land rover and they replaced the rotors and pads, but said that she didn't have to fix the abs because it is not a safety issue, but it should be address if it gets worse. Well it happened to me when I was trying to stop at a stop sign today doing about 15mph. It scared the crap out of me, but really wasn't bad. It is just like a vibration in the pedal, but still freaked me out. It happend once, then didn't do it again. I assume this is a sensor that is messed up or lose and was wondering what can be done to fix it? Is this something that has to be adress at the dealer, or can be fixed by a guy with a pretty good amount of wrenching time under his belt.(that would be me haha) Anywho, thanks for the help in advance.

-josh

[Disco Mike]

ABS for nearly all vehicles will pulsate thru the brake pedal and the valves regulate braking pressure to each wheel.
Yes, you probably do have a bad sensor at one of the wheels that is failing, dirty or out of adjustment, and should be taken care of cause it can get weird when stopping sometimes.
Good luck,
Mike

[montego]

Well it is more than jsut your normal vibration. The pedal pulsed really fast and it sounded like it was like vibrating from the front driver side wheel.

[roverX]

You can always disable it until you have the $$ to fix it.

[montego]

Yeah some people told me just to pull the fuse, but is that something that is a suggested thing to do as long term because the abs is crappy and your better off w/o it, or just a quick fix until you replace the sensor.

EDIT: BTW I know this is a super noob question, but where is the fuse for the abs and the abs light located?

thanks,
-josh

[itsarova]

under your steering wheel is a pannel that you can open with a coin or your nail, twist the two knobs and it will hinge down, the panel is on your left close to the driver door, you can't miss it, look in your manual for the fuse location (I think it might be on one of the satelites) there is also a fuse box under your hood next the batter with a cover on it, im pretty sure the abs fuse is not there.. but i might be wrong

[4x4disco]

ABS is simply designed to stop your wheels from stopping or Locking when braking.
In order to come to a complete standstill the ABS system must turn itself off (generally around 6 to 15mph) or the ABS will engage not allowing the car to stop.
Sound Familiar??
Your ABS sensors are sending wrong signals to the ABS unit
Follow the ABS sensor wires to the connector (under the bonnet on top of the front wings).
If you disconnect this connector the car should operate in none ABS mode, I ran mine like this for a couple of months while I checked the entire system the replace both front sensors.
I have also heard of problems being caused by the brake light switch, this is easy and cheap to change.
When changing the sensors also change the bush and oil seal or the sensors will simply ‘bounce out’ of position.
Best of luck
Sean

[montego]

^ Thank you for your help.

[montego]

oppps double post. sorry