Recurring ABS mystery on 96 Accord

Hi all! I'm still having an ABS problem with my '96 Accord EX-R. It's been
acting up intermittently since late fall with no discernable pattern. The
problem began when the ABS would consistently kick in under normal - light
braking moments before reaching a full stop. IOW, every time I come to a
stop, as soon as I reach say about walking speed, the ABS kicks in and the
car 'coasts' about 2-3 feet before braking resumes. I hear the pump kick in
immediately afterwards for about 1 second (rebuilding the pressure) and the
pulse in the pedal is only once. The ABS light is not on nor does it come
on. The next time I get in the car, the ABS light MAY come on and stay
on..the car does the self test and the ABS disappears but as soon as I drive
it comes on. Then the problem disappears altogether for several weeks. There
is no pattern - one trip the ABS kicks in, the next it is fine, the next the
light is on and I have no ABS.

The modulator and pump were replaced years ago due to an accident.

From searches on the net, I am almost convinced that this has to do with a
sensor - simply because of the inconsistency. My question is - where are
these sensors and how do I inspect/clean/re-align them. Is there a way of
determining which sensor is acting up?

The only other possibility that it MIGHT be is flex hose? Not to long ago, I
had a front bearing replaced. The mechanic had never worked on this car
before and he spent at least 30 minutes giving it a once over because I had
asked him to address several problems in addition to the ABS. He noticed
that on set of pads on the front was wearing twice as fast as the other side
and told me that sometimes the flex hose can collapse internally. When the
brake pedal is released, the hose collapses from lack of pressure and doesn't
allow fluid to return, thereby keeping the caliper slightly engaged. I don't
know if this could lend to the ABS problem. When I took the car to him, the
ABS wasn't acting up nor had it been for a couple of months. Think I would
like to try cleaning the sensors first. All help is greatly appreciated!

MajBach

 

My '94 EX had the same problem. Turned out to be a wheel sensor with an
intermittent fault. My would set the ABS light, but the next time you drove
it, the ABS light would not come on. There are speed sensors at each wheel.
Cleaning and realignment will not cure the problem. Search the web for a
list of ABS trouble codes. Run the test sequence and see what codes are
being set when the ABS light does come on. If no wheel sensor codes are set
you can check them using a VOM. Check the resistance of each sensor. You
will find one sensor with a very different resistance reading than the rest.

AmmonMan

 

Thanks a heap for that.

 

Had a 95 Accord, same problem..Turned out to be a ABS pump problem
hope not...Big $$$

Gary

 

FWIW, the brakes work fine without the pump. ignore it, and take the ABS
bulb out.