My ABS light in the instrument cluster is on all the time. Code reader says it's the front passenger wheel. Is that something serious ? Or can I just drive it until I hear the bearing start to make noise? And the install a new bearing hub assembly. Can I just un plug the sensor at the wheel to make the warning light go out?
THANKS GUYS
Patrick
1998 BLAZER LS. 4x4 automatic
176,000 miles

 

It isn't "serious". Your brakes will work minus the ABS part, just keep that in mind. You can leave it until you need to replace the bearing or you could just replace the sensor.

Do not remove the sensor as the will more than likely lead to an early death of the bearing. I wouldn't even bother unplugging it, either. No real sense in doing that.

If you live in an area that requires inspections they may not feel the same.

 

Thanks AJBert........you took away my worry

 

the code means there is a circuit problem on that side either the sensor is too far or too close from the reluctor ring or a wire is damaged. you would either be looking at a new hub or a new sensor.

the wheel bearing could be worn out causing distance issues from the magnetic pickup of the sensor. hubs are not hard to change and you can find a pair for about 50.00 at cheapest and go up to 200 for the GM part. i would recommend replacing the hub since new hubs also come with new sensors killing 2 birds with one stone.

your brakes with still work normal without ABS but when a scenario occurs when you will need it and it wont be there, you will regret not fixing it. ABS has saved lives and if it were my truck i would fix it. i usually like to have all the equipment in working order on my vehicles as they were intended

 

He has a 4x4, the hub and bearing are an assembly. Also, I wouldn't waste time replacing it with a $50 part unless you like replacing hub assemblies frequently.

 

Check the bearing for play for sure. If the bearing is failing or very worn, replace it with a new, quality bearing/hub assembly. Quality bearing assemblies for the 4wd models run in the $100+/- price range online (each). If you like changing bearing assemblies, and you can find a "lifetime part" for $50, go for it. Keep your receipt, and plan on getting lots of experience changing it.

If the bearing is good, you can replace just the sensor. Dorman 970-010 is an aftermarket replacement, and can be found for around $25 online. The original GM part is GM part # 19181876, and has a list price of $104.xx, but can be found online for $60 -$90 at various sources. Changing the sensor is the same procedure as changing the hub/bearing assembly. You remove the hub/bearing assembly, then there's one more bolt that holds the sensor to the hub/bearing assembly.

You can run with the light on, with the bad sensor installed and connected. Your brakes will still work, but you won't have "antilock" features, and your brakes will be over-biased to the rear. In a "panic stop" situation, that can result in the rear wheels locking with the front wheels still turning, and that can cause dangerous handling (extreme oversteer and spinning out). If you have safety inspections by the state or whatever, the vehicle might not pass with the "ABS light" on.

The light won't go off if you disconnect the wires or remove the bad sensor. Disconnecting the sensor (if it's good) will actually cause the ABS light to come on. If you disconnect the wires and drive with it disconnected, the harness connector for the sensor will likely corrode, and a new sensor might not fix the issue. If you remove the bad sensor and drive with no sensor, you'll likely have dirt and contamination in the wheel bearing and tone wheel and damage something. So leave the "bad" sensor in place and plugged in until you actually replace the sensor or the bearing assembly.

 

im aware the 4x4 hub has the sensor as an assembly but you can also get hubs without the sensor. im saying i would rather do it all so i dont have to worry about getting the correct gap between the magnetic pickup of the sensor and the reluctor ring to keep the annoying light out. if its to far out the sensor wont pick up, to close and the ring will rub on grind away the sensor. they make shims you can install to widen the gap too

i had a 2000 Blazer 4x4 i used the 50 dollar ones and they lasted quite a while (ABS even came in handy on snowy roads)
i sold the Blazer 4 yrs later and the bearings were still working great. cheaper doesn't always mean bad quality, but cheaper doesn't always mean better either. you have to know how to look, research the part, read up on reviews from other people who have bought and installed the part, and so on

 

Most of them come with new sensors.

 

THANKS for all the information......I don't understand why the ABS Sensor came in handy in the snow? care to explain and educate me.


Patrick
Skagit County, Wa.

 

i meant fixing the ABS came in handy on the snowy roads. i said that because you were thinking about not fixing it if it didnt hurt your normal braking system and i was saying better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it. one time last year i was going down hill turning into a store driveway, started sliding towards a vehicle pulling out. ABS allowed me to maintain my direction away from the car, thus avoiding an accident. ever since i have always maintained ABS on all my vehicles