DIY: How to retrieve ABS code

TatNg · 10-28-06, 03:44 PM

I just wrote a DIY for the ABS sensor replacement but other member think I missed the ABS code retrieval part. I think this could be a seperate thread since ABS code doesn't always mean bad ABS sensors.

This is how to get the ABS code from the computer:

1. ABS light is on that means the computer has stored a trouble code for you to retrieve.

2. Go to the passenger side:

3. Lift up the carpet and you will find the ABS jumper socket:

4. Insert a jumper (metal paper clip will work) to read the code:

5. The ABS light will start to blind a code to you.

Thanks to ArizonaLegend for the following write up:

The ABS indicator light comes on and the ABS control unit memorizes the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) under certain conditions.
If the ABS is OK, if the ABS indicator light goes off after the engine is restarted.

An ABS diagnostic trouble code (DTC) 4 or 5
indicates a problem in one of the wheel sensor
circuits (wiring, sensor, or pulser ring). If the S/M
troubleshooting fails to pinpoint the cause of a wheel
sensor DTC, try monitoring the alternating current
(AC) frequency of each wheel sensor.

Main Code 4
Sub Code 1 = RF Wheel Sensor
Sub Code 2 = LF
Sub Code 4 = RR
Sub Code 8 = LR

6. If the ABS code is blinking 4-1, 4-2, 4-4 or 4-8, you have a bad ABS sensor.
This is the DIY link for the ABS sensor replacement.

Good luck.
-Tat

p.s. Please refer to the repair manual for detail info.

ArizonaLegend · 10-29-06, 01:12 AM

It's all good, just sharing the wealth! Nice write-up w/pics!

Mike813 · 11-01-06, 06:05 PM

i just resently jumped the plug, and it blinked 3 times?

when i first turn the key to the II position the dummy abs light stays on, then when i jump it it blinks 3 times with a 7 second pause in between... then it just stops and the light stays off..

the abs sensor only comes on after i apply the brakes, if i shut off the car and turn on the lights off,but after i brake again it comes on and stays on. i dont see a trouble code of 3 on your list? am i mistaken of seeing it blink 3?

my cars a 94 ls coupe.. any ideas?

TatNg · 11-01-06, 10:53 PM

Mike813,

This is the manual page of the ABS code, can't find code 3.
Might be it is not storing any code at all. I think the ABS light should if there is a stored code when the ignitiion key is at II position.

http://www.arnach.net/service/index....&z=1371&r=0666

Mike813 · 11-01-06, 11:28 PM

ive checked the page, i cant find 3 also... when the dummy light stays on after turning the key to the II position and goes off, does that count as 1 blink already? or is it after it goes off then on again is the first blink? other wise it would be 4 blinks but thats it? what would that mean? sorry for replying to your diy, seems you know what youre doing with it and the other threads keep telling people to do a search with no answers.

Boru · 11-01-06, 11:45 PM

Mike813, I have the same code blink (thanks to tatNg) and I believe it is
three ones 1-1-1. which is the pump meter overflow. The HELM manual has a trouble-shoot section. (19) Also, MoistiCal posted the same code concern
and received feedback. He stated that he obtained parts on ebay and the
problem was resolved when they were installed. Dealer cost is about $600.00.
Moistical mentioned $200 or less depending on ebay part and labor involved.
Search this subject for more details; also look at the online service manual
ABS section troubleshoot for confirmation (1-1-1 = power motor overflow.) If you cannot locate the previous posts via search, ask again and I or someone else may be able to track them down. Bottom line: you may not need a wheel
sensor. you may not need an entire ABS module. You likely need a part that
is less expensive, but deserves a mechanic's installation. Also, you can just
drive with "normal" brakes, but, not ABS. (Take the bulb out of instrument
cluster to stop the display.) Personally, I recommend replacing the malfunctioning part (see MoistiCal thread on ABS.)

Mike813 · 11-02-06, 07:29 AM

great ! thanks alot for the info, ill go search for him.

ArizonaLegend · 11-08-06, 07:32 PM

Here's the online manual page location for all of the codes...

http://www.arnach.net/service/index....&z=1371&r=0666

WAJO22 · 06-17-07, 11:54 AM

in my situation, both my CEL and ABS light are on. And when I tried to retrieve the codes, the only light that blinked is the engine light displaying a code 17 (VSS). The ABS light never blinked; I could not retrieve the ABS code. Why is that?

ArizonaLegend · 06-19-07, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAJO22

in my situation, both my CEL and ABS light are on. And when I tried to retrieve the codes, the only light that blinked is the engine light displaying a code 17 (VSS). The ABS light never blinked; I could not retrieve the ABS code. Why is that?

Just to confirm, what year/model are you attempting to diag?

WAJO22 · 06-19-07, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArizonaLegend

Just to confirm, what year/model are you attempting to diag?

my car is 1992 legend 4 dr standard

Alperovich · 06-19-07, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAJO22

my car is 1992 legend 4 dr standard

what it should do is, blink them both. if it doesn't blink, its showing code 0. reset the abs module and try again, if still no blinking then the module is probably toast.

angelesdbz · 06-20-07, 09:33 AM

my anti lock light turns on when i start to accelerate. can you guys help on that situation. My mechanic says bad sensor. but i don't know...what do you guys think.

~Alex H.~

Alperovich · 06-20-07, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelesdbz

my anti lock light turns on when i start to accelerate. can you guys help on that situation. My mechanic says bad sensor. but i don't know...what do you guys think.

~Alex H.~

sounds like a bad sensor. i hope he tried cleaning it, b/c alot of time that solves the issue.

TatNg · 06-20-07, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelesdbz

my anti lock light turns on when i start to accelerate. can you guys help on that situation. My mechanic says bad sensor. but i don't know...what do you guys think.

Alex,

The ABS sensor will turn the ABS-light on when you hit 13mph on if it cannot receive a signal from any one of the sensors.
So looks like a bad sensor. Check the code then you know which sensor is bad.
Did any one of the wheels overheated with a frozen caliper ?
-Tat

10-28-06, 03:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
TatNg Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 150 Car 1: 1991 Coupe-L 5-speed iTrader: (0)	DIY: How to retrieve ABS code I just wrote a DIY for the ABS sensor replacement but other member think I missed the ABS code retrieval part. I think this could be a seperate thread since ABS code doesn't always mean bad ABS sensors. This is how to get the ABS code from the computer: 1. ABS light is on that means the computer has stored a trouble code for you to retrieve. 2. Go to the passenger side: 3. Lift up the carpet and you will find the ABS jumper socket: 4. Insert a jumper (metal paper clip will work) to read the code: 5. The ABS light will start to blind a code to you. Thanks to ArizonaLegend for the following write up: The ABS indicator light comes on and the ABS control unit memorizes the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) under certain conditions. If the ABS is OK, if the ABS indicator light goes off after the engine is restarted. An ABS diagnostic trouble code (DTC) 4 or 5 indicates a problem in one of the wheel sensor circuits (wiring, sensor, or pulser ring). If the S/M troubleshooting fails to pinpoint the cause of a wheel sensor DTC, try monitoring the alternating current (AC) frequency of each wheel sensor. Main Code 4 Sub Code 1 = RF Wheel Sensor Sub Code 2 = LF Sub Code 4 = RR Sub Code 8 = LR 6. If the ABS code is blinking 4-1, 4-2, 4-4 or 4-8, you have a bad ABS sensor. This is the DIY link for the ABS sensor replacement. Good luck. -Tat p.s. Please refer to the repair manual for detail info. __________________ 91 Coupe-L 5-speed

10-29-06, 01:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
ArizonaLegend Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 813 Car 1: 93 Legend LS Sedan Car 2: 93 LS Coupe 6spd Car 3: 03 Honda VTX 1300 iTrader: (0)	It's all good, just sharing the wealth! Nice write-up w/pics! __________________ 1993 Legend LS Coupe 6spd-Sirius White Pearl-22K (12/04-?) 1993 Legend LS Sedan-Sirius White Pearl 75K- (8/00-?) 1988 Legend L Coupe-Noble Silver Metallic (8/04-10/05) 1988 Legend L-Olympia White (2/04-12/04) 1987 Legend L-Ascot Grey Metallic (12/89-2/04)

11-01-06, 10:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
TatNg Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 150 Car 1: 1991 Coupe-L 5-speed iTrader: (0)	Mike813, This is the manual page of the ABS code, can't find code 3. Might be it is not storing any code at all. I think the ABS light should if there is a stored code when the ignitiion key is at II position. http://www.arnach.net/service/index....&z=1371&r=0666 __________________ 91 Coupe-L 5-speed

11-08-06, 07:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
ArizonaLegend Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 813 Car 1: 93 Legend LS Sedan Car 2: 93 LS Coupe 6spd Car 3: 03 Honda VTX 1300 iTrader: (0)	Here's the online manual page location for all of the codes... http://www.arnach.net/service/index....&z=1371&r=0666 __________________ 1993 Legend LS Coupe 6spd-Sirius White Pearl-22K (12/04-?) 1993 Legend LS Sedan-Sirius White Pearl 75K- (8/00-?) 1988 Legend L Coupe-Noble Silver Metallic (8/04-10/05) 1988 Legend L-Olympia White (2/04-12/04) 1987 Legend L-Ascot Grey Metallic (12/89-2/04)

06-20-07, 09:33 AM	#13 (permalink)
angelesdbz Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Troy/Albany,NY Posts: 65 Car 1: - iTrader: (0)	my anti lock light turns on when i start to accelerate. can you guys help on that situation. My mechanic says bad sensor. but i don't know...what do you guys think. ~Alex H.~ __________________ Alex

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11-01-06, 06:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mike813 Queens Legend Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New York Posts: 282 Car 1: 1994 Acura Legend Type II Coupe (Sold) Car 2: 2006 Civic EX Sedan Car 3: 2002 Lexus GS300 iTrader: (1)	i just resently jumped the plug, and it blinked 3 times? when i first turn the key to the II position the dummy abs light stays on, then when i jump it it blinks 3 times with a 7 second pause in between... then it just stops and the light stays off.. the abs sensor only comes on after i apply the brakes, if i shut off the car and turn on the lights off,but after i brake again it comes on and stays on. i dont see a trouble code of 3 on your list? am i mistaken of seeing it blink 3? my cars a 94 ls coupe.. any ideas?

11-01-06, 11:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mike813 Queens Legend Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New York Posts: 282 Car 1: 1994 Acura Legend Type II Coupe (Sold) Car 2: 2006 Civic EX Sedan Car 3: 2002 Lexus GS300 iTrader: (1)	ive checked the page, i cant find 3 also... when the dummy light stays on after turning the key to the II position and goes off, does that count as 1 blink already? or is it after it goes off then on again is the first blink? other wise it would be 4 blinks but thats it? what would that mean? sorry for replying to your diy, seems you know what youre doing with it and the other threads keep telling people to do a search with no answers.

11-01-06, 11:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
Boru Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Martha's Vineyard Posts: 417 Car 1: 91L 5spd blue cpe Car 2: 92LS 5spd gray cpe iTrader: (0)	Mike813, I have the same code blink (thanks to tatNg) and I believe it is three ones 1-1-1. which is the pump meter overflow. The HELM manual has a trouble-shoot section. (19) Also, MoistiCal posted the same code concern and received feedback. He stated that he obtained parts on ebay and the problem was resolved when they were installed. Dealer cost is about $600.00. Moistical mentioned $200 or less depending on ebay part and labor involved. Search this subject for more details; also look at the online service manual ABS section troubleshoot for confirmation (1-1-1 = power motor overflow.) If you cannot locate the previous posts via search, ask again and I or someone else may be able to track them down. Bottom line: you may not need a wheel sensor. you may not need an entire ABS module. You likely need a part that is less expensive, but deserves a mechanic's installation. Also, you can just drive with "normal" brakes, but, not ABS. (Take the bulb out of instrument cluster to stop the display.) Personally, I recommend replacing the malfunctioning part (see MoistiCal thread on ABS.)

11-02-06, 07:29 AM	#7 (permalink)
Mike813 Queens Legend Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New York Posts: 282 Car 1: 1994 Acura Legend Type II Coupe (Sold) Car 2: 2006 Civic EX Sedan Car 3: 2002 Lexus GS300 iTrader: (1)	great ! thanks alot for the info, ill go search for him.

06-17-07, 11:54 AM	#9 (permalink)
WAJO22 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: atlanta Posts: 157 iTrader: (0)	in my situation, both my CEL and ABS light are on. And when I tried to retrieve the codes, the only light that blinked is the engine light displaying a code 17 (VSS). The ABS light never blinked; I could not retrieve the ABS code. Why is that?

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