Can I pull the plug to rid the 3 Amigos...

[rowdydowney]

I have done extensive reading on the "Three Amigos" problem in this forum (thanks to all who contribute...this is a great resource). I am, as many are, up to my elbows in this situation. My question is this...can I just pull the damn fuse and get rid of the three amigos and use the breaks pre-ABS style? Will this cause the Electronic Traction Control to stop working (does 4WD still work then?)? Don't really care about the hill descent control...
Along with all the pretty lights, another part of the problem we are seeing is that the brakes sometimes don't stop the vehicle properly (Yikes!). Of course a dealer inspections says $2500 (Ouch!) to replace the entire ABS Modulator Assembly. (Had the sensors cleaned already and didn't really work, first snow we hit the lights came back on.)
So, am I playing with fire trying to work around this problem or should I bite the bullet and fork over the cash?
Any insight is appreciated.

 

[rowdydowney]

Sorry, we have a 2001 Discovery II...

 

[ChicagoDon]

Well, your situation sounds just like mine did (before I took out abs). Everytime it would snow ABS/TC would stop working and the lights would come one. It was the easiest fix for me, and it never gave me a problem again. There was a TSB about it, maybe someone could post it up. All I did was unscrew the ground for the modulator, which is right behind the dr. side headlight, and infront of the airbox. I hit the contacts of the ground with a bit of sandpaper and thats all it took to fix it.

 

[racerwad]

if you're looking to get rid of the lights, pulling the fuse won't solve it unfortunately. the lights will turn on at the slightest issue (obviously) so pulling the fuse will definately get their attention.

it sounds like you've found most of the major sources for ABS problems. don's advice is helpful, too. there is info on here about rebuilding the ABS modulator's shuttle valve which *should* help if that is the case. sometimes the valve sticks, causing the problems you're having.

are the pads LR? sometimes people have issues with the pads chattering too much, setting off the lights. fwiw, i have EBC pads and haven't had any issues. i did have intermittant faults because the ABS sensor was rubbing on the tire and wearing through the sheathing. not good but an easy fix. if you've lifted yours and relocated the ABS sensors that could be it, too.

with the ABS light on, your TC/HDC stop working but the AWD nature of the disco is intact.

 

[rowdydowney]

Thanks for the quick replies everyone. Don....When you removed that ground...I assume the all wheel drive still works...it just doesn't perform the smart part of the traction control....is that fair to say?

 

[rowdydowney]

Sorry Don, I think I misunderstood...sounds like you just cleaned up the connection and plugged it back in and everything worked...that is one I hadn't read, I will give it a try.
I am interested in the "took out ABS" part ....

 

[rowdydowney]

I guess bottom line I just want to know if I can disable all the "smart" crap and have a base vehicle with full time AWD and regular breaks....or am I playing with fire there...

 

[racerwad]

with the ABS light on, your TC/HDC stop working but the AWD nature of the disco is intact.

dood, i thought i made it clear? when the ABS/TC/HDC lights are on, you have a subaru without ABS. the AWD is mechanical while the other functions are electrical.

don removed his ABS when he switched to toy axles.

it's your call on whether or not it's safe to run without ABS.

andy

 

[JWilliams]

I bought a used ABS modulator unit for $150 at the local salvage yard. It came off a truck with only 67,000 miles on it. It only took 1 hour to swap out the part and do a full bleed. I had the codes read at the dealer and he said there was an actual electrical fault in the modulator and that is why I needed to buy the whole new part which cost $1800 from Atlantic British. I never touched any of the abs sensors at the wheel hubs. I did that about 2 months ago and not a light has come on! I was getting the 3 amigos at least once a day for no apparent reason.

 

[David Despain]

I bought a used ABS modulator unit for $150 at the local salvage yard. It came off a truck with only 67,000 miles on it. It only took 1 hour to swap out the part and do a full bleed. I had the codes read at the dealer and he said there was an actual electrical fault in the modulator and that is why I needed to buy the whole new part which cost $1800 from Atlantic British. I never touched any of the abs sensors at the wheel hubs. I did that about 2 months ago and not a light has come on! I was getting the 3 amigos at least once a day for no apparent reason.

how did u do a "FULL" bleed on it without testbook ????

 

[JWilliams]

Well... I locked the CDL and than turned the car off and turned it back on again and it disabled the abs system. From what I understand this opens both shuttle valves and allows all the fluid to cycle through the system. I also bled all the old fluid out till I got new clear fluid out of each bleed screw.

I am not sure on the whole locking the CDL and the ABS being disabled bit... but it was worth a try and made sense. So don't hold me to that. If anyone has any insight on what testbook actually does when you bleed the brakes that would be cool.

 

[DeMak]

I pulled the fuse under the hood to disable the anti lock braking in my 95 Disco 1. Brakes work fine now. Before, sometimes they would pulse, even under normal braking. I think it is safer to not have anti lock braking, than to have anti lock braking that is not functioning correctly. My Opinion only. After all, I have driven for almost 40 years without it.

doug

 

[David Despain]

hmmm i have never heard of that before. i think it warrants further investigation because while it sounds plausible i need some good solid wiring diagram proof. im not saying you are wrong, but it is the interweb after all. and the pedal on the 99-02 are soft enough as it is. maybe pt or chris has some insight into this idea?

 

[Macker]

My ABS/HDC/TC lights are on (probably because of my front drivehaft recently being out) but my ABS definitly still works.

 

[rovercanus]

I guess bottom line I just want to know if I can disable all the "smart" crap and have a base vehicle with full time AWD and regular breaks....or am I playing with fire there...

It's a Land Rover, you'll always have regular BREAKS!

 

[racerwad]

My ABS/HDC/TC lights are on (probably because of my front drivehaft recently being out) but my ABS definitly still works.

i'm going to have to respectfully disagree. my lights have been on for some time and the ABS/TC/HDC functions no longer work properly. i mean, why would there be warning lights if they did work as intended? yes, you can feel the ABS pump cycling lamely but you'll be able to lock up your wheels now.

andy

 

[disco_drum]

I disagree with that.... my amigos have been on for months and my ABS and TC work flawlessly. They prove themselves everytime i go wheeiling. CDL and Traction control arean awesome combination!

 

[MUSKYMAN]

i'm going to have to respectfully disagree. my lights have been on for some time and the ABS/TC/HDC functions no longer work properly. i mean, why would there be warning lights if they did work as intended? yes, you can feel the ABS pump cycling lamely but you'll be able to lock up your wheels now.

andy

this really isnt the case, infact I would be willing to bet in most cases the system is still functioning.

My 2001 has had the amigos a number of times and the ABS and traction control have always worked correctly even when the lights are on.

In adition I have driven a number other DII's showing the amigos and none of them have ever showed a braking issue.

with the huge accurance of this as a known issue, if it were compromising braking it would have long since caused a full on recall.

IMO

 

[Fritz]

My 3 Amigos have been on for about 10 months now, and the ABS/TC/HDC definately does not work in any way, shape or form. It's interesting to me that it works ok for some of you that have the infamous lights.

 

[NVRover]

I have done extensive reading on the "Three Amigos" problem in this forum (thanks to all who contribute...this is a great resource). I am, as many are, up to my elbows in this situation. My question is this...can I just pull the damn fuse and get rid of the three amigos and use the breaks pre-ABS style? Will this cause the Electronic Traction Control to stop working (does 4WD still work then?)? Don't really care about the hill descent control...
Along with all the pretty lights, another part of the problem we are seeing is that the brakes sometimes don't stop the vehicle properly (Yikes!). Of course a dealer inspections says $2500 (Ouch!) to replace the entire ABS Modulator Assembly. (Had the sensors cleaned already and didn't really work, first snow we hit the lights came back on.)
So, am I playing with fire trying to work around this problem or should I bite the bullet and fork over the cash?
Any insight is appreciated.

Why not just take it to a mechanic with the proper diagnostic tools and get it diagnosed and fixed properly? ABS is pretty reliable and effective (also used for TC), so I would fix it properly. Geez, I love it when people buy a high maintenance automobile, can't afford the repairs or are too cheap to repair it properly and then want to perform work-arounds to save money and reduce the functionality of the vehicle.

Just have the car fixed properly and quit dicking around with it.