I have a 1997 GMC Savanna 2500 (3/4 ton) Cargo/Service van.
It is engaging the anti lock feature on the brakes with some (and increasing) regularity, in situations where it wouldn’t normally be engaged. This includes garden variety driving situations; pulling up to a stop sign, turning corners, parking lots etc etc etc. IOW, normal driving where I am not decelerating rapidly, or wet conditions or anything like that.
So my questions:
1) Any internet guess as to what might be causing this? (the anti-lock idiot light will periodically light up on the dash when this happen, fwiw) 2) Expensive? 3) Can I defeat the anti lock brakes? I hate anti-lock brakes and if there is a way to disengage them safely and affordably I want to.
I had a '97 s10 Blazer that the abs would go off everytime I stepped on the brake pedal. It ended up being dirty wheel sensors on the front wheels. I ran some fine-ish sandpaper between the sensor and the reluctor ring and all was cured.
About $0.50
I drove the truck for about 2 years with the abs unit unplugged. I just unplugged the power wire(fat red wire). The abs dash light will stay on all the time though. No ill effects, other than no abs.
Some autoparts stores will read the ABS codes for free, so that might be somewhere to start if you can find one.
I would agree with the wheel sensor guess. A dirty/faulty/corroded wheel sensor is the most common cause of ABS randomly engaging. If you can get the codes read, it will tell you which one it is.
You can disable the ABS by unplugging the connector or pulling the fuse, but IMHO you’d be crazy to do so, especially on a full-size van-- you need all the help you can getting a huge vehicle like that safely to a stop.
Dirty wheel speed sensors can cause the ABS to trigger prematurely. Cleaning them is fairly simple, compressed air will do it.
Wear safety glasses if you decide to do this.
This happened on my 2004 Escape. One of the ABS sensor rings was cracked. I had to have the entire axle replaced because on my car the ring is part of the axle.
The dealership quoted me $500 but thankfully my mechanic cousin was able to get the part for $80 and changed it for me for $20 and lunch.
From what I’m told, not all car makers set up the axles this way, so hopefully if you need your sensor replaced it’s easy peasy.
They are usually behind or somewhere near the brake disc. Probably possible to see from underneath but it’ll be easier to get at with the wheel off. http://lmgtfy.com/?q=abs+sensor+images