D1 ABS - To fix or leave in disabled state

robbyb20

Well-known member
Oct 2, 2019
227
34
Seattle
I hope this isnt too controversial... I recently found out the ABS was disabled on my 97 D1. I have re-enabled it by fitting the appropriate fuses back into place (main one being the link-able fuse int he engine bay).

This was performed about 5 days ago and just today at low speeds the ABS would engage at low speeds and cause the car to drift to the right a bit.

It seems ilke there is a lot of talk about just leaving this disabled but I wanted to know if there was a reason to enable it and if so, what could be causing it to engage at low speeds.

Thoughts?

This link describes it perfectly. Ill try the listed steps first. https://landroverforums.com/forum/discovery-i-39/1998-discovery-abs-activating-without-cause-46619/

Thanks!
Rob
 

bendts

Well-known member
Jan 27, 2015
277
18
Farmland
Mine has been disabled for about 10 years via the 3 amigos. I did the repair to the ABS Pump by replacing the little module in the ABS Pump - had it re-set, and it was OK for 1 day. Then while going 60 down a curvy 2 lane hwy it decided it wanted to try and stop one front wheel. Damn near went off the hwy into a swamp.

I pulled the fuse under the hood and all ok.

Never had ABS growing up in Minnesota winters fro 20+ years, so I really don't miss ABS or care if I have it.

Was told I may have a bad front sensor. May be your issue as well - that link talks about all sorts of possible causes.
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
His is different than what you did bendts. Robby it depends on what it's doing I suppose. I personally have never removed or disabled the system. Tell me what it's doing and I'll try to walk you thru figuring it out.
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
I think the ABS in a D1 is dangerous. I pulled the fuse in my wife's D1 when we got it a couple of years ago.
What was dangerous about it? With your swivel housings all fucked up like they where I bet it was gliding thru stops because the axle was moving away from the sensor. Most times they glide thru stops it's because loose wheel bearings or worse.
 

4Runner

Well-known member
May 24, 2007
660
110
Boise Idaho
When I had my 96 Disco, I was sitting at a light and the ABS went off and I started drifting into the intersection and couldn’t stop it. I had to put it in neutral and use the parking brake. It got disabled after that for the next few years without any more issues. My 94 still has it and has not given me any trouble for what it’s worth.
 

4Runner

Well-known member
May 24, 2007
660
110
Boise Idaho
And Discostew, you are probably right about my 96. There wasn’t anything particularly tight on that truck for the last 100k. Lol
 

robbyb20

Well-known member
Oct 2, 2019
227
34
Seattle
His is different than what you did bendts. Robby it depends on what it's doing I suppose. I personally have never removed or disabled the system. Tell me what it's doing and I'll try to walk you thru figuring it out.
It seems to be somewhat consistent, at least on yesterdays drive. I would be coming to a low speed stop and i would hear the ABS pump pumping and int eh break pedal i would feel it give way a bit and then pulsate and stop slowly. This does not happen at higher speeds at this time.

The ABS light is on as well. The bulb had been removed previously and when fixing the instrument panel i noticed the missing bulb and replaced and this is what lead me to find out its been disabled.
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
I would pick yo the truck to check for a loose wheel bearing. I would also check that the sensors are pushed all the way down into the holes. They are supposed to be touching the reluctor wheel.
It's called an unwanted abs activation. It's happening because one of the wheel speed sensors is dropping out. The car thinks that wheel is locked up.
 

robbyb20

Well-known member
Oct 2, 2019
227
34
Seattle
I would pick yo the truck to check for a loose wheel bearing. I would also check that the sensors are pushed all the way down into the holes. They are supposed to be touching the reluctor wheel.
It's called an unwanted abs activation. It's happening because one of the wheel speed sensors is dropping out. The car thinks that wheel is locked up.
When i was at Lamorna (Seattle LR Mechanic, trust worthy in my opinion) a couple months ago, they redid my rear brakes and commented that the wheel sensor was unhooked and they hooked it back in. Ill check the fronts to make sure both are snug but may need them to check the brakes/wheel hubs/bearings.
 
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jymmiejamz

Well-known member
Dec 5, 2004
6,008
361
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Los Angeles, Ca
I would pick yo the truck to check for a loose wheel bearing. I would also check that the sensors are pushed all the way down into the holes.

Aside from loose wheel bearings, what causes them to be pushed out? Is it the bearing in the stub axle that's worn? A worn CV?
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
Aside from loose wheel bearings, what causes them to be pushed out? Is it the bearing in the stub axle that's worn? A worn CV?
Anything that would cause the axle to move around in the swivel housing. I remember deep snow pushing them up by getting under the electrical cable. Wheel bearings mostly.
 

WaltNYC

Well-known member
Mar 3, 2010
707
135
NYC
The sensors themselves can also get flakey. Not overly expensive anymore as they used to be.
 

p m

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Apr 19, 2004
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La Jolla, CA
www.3rj.org
What was dangerous about it? With your swivel housings all fucked up like they where I bet it was gliding thru stops because the axle was moving away from the sensor. Most times they glide thru stops it's because loose wheel bearings or worse.
Stew,
I was firmly on "keep the ABS" bandwagon until my D1 with chains on the rear wheels sailed through a red light in Lake Tahoe. However sub-optimal it may have been, LR4 seems to be okay with chains on one drive axle.

That all said... I wish my D1's ABS was working a few months ago - an emergency braking ended up wearing flat spots on two brand new XZLs...
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
Stew,
I was firmly on "keep the ABS" bandwagon until my D1 with chains on the rear wheels sailed through a red light in Lake Tahoe. However sub-optimal it may have been, LR4 seems to be okay with chains on one drive axle.

That all said... I wish my D1's ABS was working a few months ago - an emergency braking ended up wearing flat spots on two brand new XZLs...
Removing or disabling a safety system has never been an option for me. I could see how only having one axle chained could cause some problems
 

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,754
561
Seattle
One possibility not yet mentioned in this thread is faulty ABS sensors (maybe mentioned, I didn't see it). This issue triggered my D1's ABS intermittently at low speed turns to the right. A new sensor and ten minutes to replace it did the trick. I would suggest evaluating and eliminating the other worn/loose component possibilities before buying a new part. It's not that expensive, but if the problem turns out to be something else then you're not much closer to solving it.
 
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discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
One possibility not yet mentioned in this thread is faulty ABS sensors (maybe mentioned, I didn't see it). This issue triggered my D1's ABS intermittently at low speed turns to the right. A new sensor and ten minutes to replace it did the trick. I would suggest evaluating and eliminating the other worn/loose component possibilities before buying a new part. It's not that expensive, but if the problem turns out to be something else then you're not much closer to solving it.
Did you have a code? A lot of times when the sensor gets backed out there is no code. The car thinks the wheel is locked