ABS light on 1994 Honda Accord EX

The ABS light on my 94 Accord EX is now on constantly when driving and
so I
assume there is a problem with the system. In the manual it states
that the
anti-lock brakes work independently of the regular braking system
which is
functioning fine. My question is will there be any extended harm done
if I
don't have this looked at right away as I am a university student on a
very tight budget. I am considering waiting until late fall when I
have more money available to have the system inspected and repaired if
necessary which is about the time I may actually need it with winter
driving conditions approaching. Any insights would be greatly
appreciated. Thanks.

 

Chances are you're low on fluid. This happens as the linings and pads wear
and it takes more fluid to fill the system. Stop at an independent brake
shop and ask. They'll probably fill the fluid reservoir without charge
thinking they will get your service in the future.

 

===============

If the light comes on after you move about fifty feet, it means a
(wheel) sensor isn't 'checking in'. If it keeps running the 'pump' even
if the car is sitting, it's not building pressure. might as well remove
the high current fuse, under the hood, to save further wear and tear on
the pump. Write down your observations in the back of your owner's
manual to refer to later..

My limited opinion. 'Curly'

 

You should be OK waiting, but you might consider having it checked now. Many
times, this sort of thing has a cheap fix, once you understand the problem.
If it is a cheap fix, save electricity/fuel and get that light turned off.
Just don't let anyone scare you into spending big money, claiming it's an
urgent repair.

 

Ken, is the ABS light combined with the Brake warning light on this car?
From what Scott says, I think not.

 

Doug, I should have explained that I'm not that familiar with the Honda
'brake warning light'. This happened to me once with a '93 Geo Prizm with
about 65M miles and it turned out it was just low on fluid.

 

My '92 Acura Teg has it's ABS light on now when I drive. Turns on after
driving ~ 1/2 a mile or so. I replaced it ~2 years ago w/a used one from
www.haprecycling.com , which was~$200, but the dealer(stealer) wanted $1k
for a new one (ABS cylinder). I had to get a new one ~a month after I put
the used one in. HAP replaced it w/their 6 month warranty. Was ok (no light
coming on) from that second replacement till ~2 months ago, when the light
came on every once in a while to nearly every time I drive it. Went by the
shop that replaced it yesterday, & I'll have 'em look at it tomorrow. I want
to just get a new one, but $'s tight. I will if I have to, though. HAve fun
trying to fins a mechanic that'll work on ABS, though. I went through the
whole phone book here in Plano (Dallas) area, & everone referred me to the
dealer cuz they wouldn't f' with it. But, just before I was gonna schedule
an appt. w/dealer, I called one last place that said--"Bring it up--we'll do
it!".

 

"rastapasta" <rastapasta at ev1 dot net> wrote in message
[SNIP]

oops......I meant----I had the defective (used) one I had bought replaced it
& had it installed.

 

The ABS reservoir is see-through. See if it has anything in it. Chances
are the system is toast though. It will not do any harm to drive it. You
have full braking power just as if it didn't have the ABS option.

The warning light is just a reminder that you should be ready to pump the
brakes yourself when that emergency arises, 'cause the ABS is not going to
do it for you any more.

When you see the price tag for repair, you probably will choose not to.

 

Ken's diagnosis does not apply to this generation ABS system. The ABS is a
separate system and the fluids essentially do not mix. Brake wear will
lower the main system level and eventually turn on the "brake" light (the
one that comes on when the parking brake is applied.

 

Thanks for the responses. The light does not come on until I have driven a
very short distance from my house so it may be the wheel sensor as Curly
suggests. So I think I may remove the fuse as suggested for the time being.
Once again, thanks for all the suggestions and replies.

 

===================

If a sensor, it's likely the connection where the sensor plugs into the
wiring harness, since the sensors are built like the proverbial
cindercrete lavatory..

'Curly'

 

Thanks.
Uhm - is that to say that the ABS and Brake warning lights *are* combined on
some vehicles of some other generation? I hadn't thought it was ever
done...but you never know

 

Kinda like a brick shithouse, eh?

 

There are some failure modes on some models where both lights will come on.