I have a June 04 ute, manual and when you start the car and roll away after a couple of seconds you can hear the ABS module make a short buzz like a test sequence or something. When I first got the car you could just hear it, but now its really loud and getting louder. It does it after every start and now (since we had the rain) I noticed it does it after you activate the ABS after a hard stop. This definately isn't supposed to happen, its wierd.

Any ideas? No fault lights and brakes work fine. Just curious.

Cheers

As for it getting louder.... that's not good.... however;

After a hard stop the ABS unit keeps going for a second or two.... it does this so that the full braking pressure is ready and the pump doesnt need to start again in order to create maximum force.

You should try this:

Engage the ABS at say 80kmh and slow down to say 55kmh then release the brake pedal.... now gently reapply the brake pedal with just enough force to engage the brake light, but NO MORE... if you listen you will hear the ABS modulator buzzing as it forcing the pump to run in preparation for another hard stop.

Ross

ok - so the buzz is normal, maybe its just loosened a little. I had a look, and it looks like it is mounted in a bracket with rubber bushes. I might suggest it to the dealer and see if they want to look at it.

Just one thing to check, a mate of mine had a similar noise and it turned out to be brake pipes vibrating when the ABS unit cycled.

Check that none of the pipes are "twanging" against each other.

Mark.

Just for interests sakes, how often do people experience ABS at work. I have only ever felt it twice – the second of which didn’t have much success.

Maybe I just don’t give the old brake pads the workout they deserve!

Trent.

tab Posted Yesterday, 08:07 PM

Just for interests sakes, how often do people experience ABS at work. I have only ever felt it twice – the second of which didn’t have much success.

Maybe I just don’t give the old brake pads the workout they deserve!

Trent.

Hmm when its wet? maybe once to twice a week? I just do it so I keep in touch with how it feels and reacts and so I know the limitations of what it can and cant do.

Ross

I do it all the time too, usually when I with a few minutes of home. I'll deliberately go past the braking point thus forcing myself to take evasive manouvres to make the turn, good practice and reasonably safe. No excessive speed, just late braking and shifting the vehicles weight smoothly.

I would encourage all owners of vehicles fitted with ABS to use it every now and then (once a fortnight or so). As Ford Power says, it keeps you in touch with what the car can do. Most drivers have no idea how to use ABS effectively, how the car reacts etc. Straight line ABS is a no brainer, heavy braking utilising the ABS and evasive action is something you should practice. Just don't do it in heavy traffic, it could be a little disconcerting for the other drivers

Just for interests sakes, how often do people experience ABS at work.  I have only ever felt it twice – the second of which didn’t have much success.

Maybe I just don’t give the old brake pads the workout they deserve!

Trent.

I took my '02 fairmont to the snow last year before I had the T and one day heading up the mountain from Jindy it was absolutely hammering down with snow.. Had to fit chains to drive and had the rear wheel traction control working hard, also some very interesting high speed braking and cornering on Icy surfaces sold me on the ABS.... Could put the foot flat on the gas, then flat on the brakes and very little wheel spin or lock.... Played around so much coming back down that day when conditions where even worse.. (Cars spat of the road everywhere) the fairmont impressed me with it ability to respond to the situation... and maintain driveability even though at times it was in the hands of the gods.... I believe the traction control was the type that works by mechanically decelerating the wheel as opposed to the type in the T that reduces the throttle volume... All in all was a crash course in technology and very handy to know.. Later in that year I hit unexpected ice on the way up to hotham and I knew exactly what to expect and the car saved my ass without any radical manouvering whatsoever... I continued up the mountain over several more patches and found the control very predictable.... Would have appreciated a manual though for that extra control of the back end and more finite control of the rear wheels...

I believe the traction control was the type that works by mechanically decelerating the wheel as opposed to the type in the T that reduces the throttle volume

The traction control in the T will also slow down the wheel (apply the brakes) if reducing throttle doesn't do the job.