Hello All,

I have a 1999 XC is 87,000 miles on it and the original ABS unit has never been replaced. Recently, the ABS light would come on and then go off. This problem has been present for a month or so. A week or two may go by and there is no incident and suddenly the light goes on for a few minutes, and then goes off. Now when the ABS light comes on it sometimes triggers the TRACS light and on other occasions it will trigger the BRAKE light. It never triggers both lights at the same time. When the ABS light after a few minutes goes off, it will turn off the TRACS and BRAKE lights too.


Yesterday, the the ABS and BRAKE lights came on. The speedmonitor went to "0" and the odomenter went blank. Within a few minutes, both lights went offr and the speedmonitor and odometer began working again.

My questions are:

1)With this history, is it almost certain the ABS unit has or is about to fail and there is not some other problem present?
2)Should I wait until the ABS light is on constantly before I have it repaired?
3)By delaying the repair of the ABS system until the ABS light is on constantly, do I risk causing additional damage to the braking system. I realize the ABS system is module/unit that is physically removed from from the car to be repair or replaced.
4)How difficult is it to remove the ABS unit so I can send it of to be repaired? (I plan on sending it to Victor Rocha)
5) I've reviewed the Victor Rocha website that provides instructions and photographs. Were they helpful to others who have used them?
6) If anyone has sent their ABS unit off to Victor, can you tell me about your experience.

I want to thank everyone who responds in advance. This is an important repair. If I can avoid the high cost of purchasing a new ABS unit (which I have done) yet still maintain the safety of my Volvo, I'd be very happy.

Hugh

I tried cleaning the sensors first too, but it didn't work, however it doesn't cost anything, so who knows? I used Victor Rocha as previously mentioned by other forum members. If you search the web on ABS sensors, you'll find several who do this work for a reasonable price. I chose Vic as he is very responsive, and honest. He also sells the real small Torx you will need for a very reasonable price. If you google Victor Rocha or search these forums further I'm sure there is a link that will get you there. His web sight gives all the details on how to pull the unit and get it to him. Trust me, this is really a pretty easy job, but does take a bit of contortions to get to the screws. Do what Vic says and the problem will be solved and at a VERY reasonable cost. You might have some concerns about driving your beloved Volvo w/o the sensor, but you can (I did w/o problems), I just bagged the connectors as Victor said to do.

Jester
01 V70 T5 and a now gone P1800ES (370K) :-((

I'm thinking its time to clean the ABS wheel sensors first. Shavings from the pads and rotors are attracted to the magnets in the ABS sensors and can "clog" them up. I have seen this problem on late model 240s and some fords.

In any case, it is cheaper than replacing the ABS module!

jorrell
--
92 245 250K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!

Rocha does very good work, you'll need to source a special bit for your 1/4" socket to get the ABS unit off.

Hello All,

Thanks for your responses. I sent my ABS unit to Victor, and he did everything he promised in a timely manner. I'm very happy with the experience. The ABS unit works perfectly now. As Victor predicted, the Check Engine light did come on, and I did have to have it cleared, along with 5 other error codes by my independent mechanic with his OBI II scanner.

Also, I had an experience, which was unusual, but worked itself out. After I installed the repaired ABS unit,the engine began to idle roughly as indicated by the RPM meter. At the same time the ETS light came one. I've had the ETS module replaced twice by Volvo under warranty. The same rough idle was also present. I figured I was about to get another "free" one on Volvo's dime because the car was still under the extended warranty program by Volvo. I raced the motor slightly, and the idle dropped down to where it should be and the ETS light went out, and has stayed out.

I expressed my thanks to Victor via e-mail. I join the legion of others who have had a positive experience with Victor's service. His instructions were so detailed and clear both in terms of text and photos that it made removal of the ABS unit something a layman or laywoman could do without destroying it. If you follow his instructions to the letter, you'll be fine. By the way, I ordered the special torx socket from Mac tools. It was $3.95. There was no sales tax (I think) and shipping was free (that I'm sure of) right to my door. I called Mac's 1-800 # instead of placing an order on its web site and thereby avoided paying the shipping charge. Why Mac does that, I don't know, but I share that with all of you.

I wish Victor had a service / instructions / kit to show you how to do brake jobs and replace timing belts on 850s and early XCs. Oh well, can't have everything.

The Best to All,

Hugh