Was following 2 friends back home from Edenvale (was stone cold sober- promise!) who were each in seperate cars. They were both parked at a red light when I came up behind them, tried to stop, it was downhill, it was WET ONLY IN THAT LANE, and the ABS didn't work at all! Wheels locked, thud. I bumped my mate in his Accent, who then bumped into my other friend in a Fiesta... Can u bloody believe it???
Damage is pretty minor tho. So the million zim dollar question is what could cause the ABS to fail? I'm pretty sure it was working before...
Sorry to hear about the accident... similar thing happened to me, but pulled some James Bond yellow lane moves to avoid cars
ABS in these cars are like woman... On / Off the whole time...
Ok here is what you do... remove the rear driver side passenger panel, there is a computer box there, the ABS Super Computer (I made that up )
Get a buddy to climb in the back, seatbelt on, find an empty road and stop the shit out of the car a couple of times and let him watch the ABS computer for all the flashy lights, the lights will indicate what is wrong if any...
Remember if everything is ok, then your dash light shouldn't come on.
@ Ero: It was working last time I used it in the wet, which was quite a while ago I guess. The ABS light come on with all the other lights when the ignition is on, then goes off when the car is started, so does that mean the ABS "super computer" (Hehe ) is working or not? I was under the impression that the light come on with ignition 2 say "working" and if it comes on when the cars running it means "fault". As usual I've probably gt it wrong hey?
@ Vlade:Thanks for the advice man, I'll try find a friend who's willing 2 risk life and limb 2 help me test it
@ Docter G: Good holy I stomped on the pedal like my life depended on it! Just a nice "Shhhhhrrrrrrrrrrrrwwwwww" sliding tyre noise.... Its actually pretty funny now that I think about it
@ Ero: It was working last time I used it in the wet, which was quite a while ago I guess. The ABS light come on with all the other lights when the ignition is on, then goes off when the car is started, so does that mean the ABS "super computer" (Hehe ) is working or not? I was under the impression that the light come on with ignition 2 say "working" and if it comes on when the cars running it means "fault". As usual I've probably gt it wrong hey?
AFAIK that is correct. Seems it didn't work like it should
Nah tyres are still in pretty good shape, quite a bit of tread still left. Fortunatley its only the front bumper and number plate holder, its not 2 bad luckily. I'm going 2 attack it with red polish and see how much I can take off
Funny thing is my car is the least damaged of all three! The accent has a busted head-light and small dent and the rear-left part of the Fiesta's bumper is dented and hanging off... damn these Sx's are built strong
I've always kinda preferred non-abs brakes for some reason. The ABS just seems a bit "nervous" when it kicks in. Can't say I've experienced it on the s13 but if it's anything like the Sabre's ABS then I'd rather be without it.
ps: I know the S13's in SA came with 2 different brake discs. The 256mm like the Sentra/Sabre and the s14's, and the 280mm.
Mine is the 280mm with ABS and I am pretty happy with the way it stops.
Another interesting thing is that the 280mm discs are actually cheaper from Nissan than the 256mm s13 discs!!
The ABS of the s13 is good and not k..., I own my 3rd s13 now, and since 1991 the abs assisted more than three times to keep me out of trouble.
Another quick method to find out if the abs is at least working is to park the car on a uphill. Nose facing uphill. Engin running at idle. Let go and let the sx run free downhill and backwards of course like for 5 or 6 x meters. Hit the brakes with some aggression. Should feel the shudder on the brake pedal. This I do regurly because my exit out of my garage is down hill. So it is easy test.
Ja its probably just my bad luck, not really an indication of the ABS system in general. I'm being teased mercilessly by my friends: "Geez Warren havn't BUMPED into u in a while!" etc
the ABS doesnt rely on the pressure or consistency of force applied to the pedal to "kick in". there are now pressure sensors taking measurements on the pedals!! - sorry G.
there are 3 speed sensors, one each on the front wheels, and a single one on the diff in the rear.
if your lights were off during normal driving, then generally your ABS system should be working ok, but you can test it the way vlade suggested. the codes for the ABS indicator lights are in the FSM. there could be other things wrong.
as for the ABS nervousness, i reckon its a personal thing, cos i'd feel far safer knowing that i can jump onto the brake pedal and electronic and mechanical controls will help me out to stop without sliding.
the "nervous" feel would be the feeling translated into the pedal from the constant opening and closing of the ABS systems valves. its a waaaay faster way of depressing and releasing the pedal to avoid the skidding tires!!!
also - i didnt know that the s13's here came out with 256mm discs. thought they were all the 280mm version. same diameter, slightly different thickness than the s14.
i always hear people saying the brakes on the s13 are crappy. i totally disagree, i've never had a problem with them. they stop me quickly, and accurately (without pulling side to side, or shuddering, or anything like that). but i do think its wise to do the simple s14/z32/r32 brake upgrade if you're going to increase power!!!
ReeceZ wrote:I'm sorry... I couldn't help it. Please no one wish any hateful shit on me, I own an SX already
Geez VeeCee u know your stuff!
So instead of pressure sensors, is there a sensor-type-thingy that monitors wheel speeds and detects when the wheels are locked? Could be a sensor thats buggered maybe?
I bumped my mate in his Accent, who then bumped into my other friend in a Fiesta... Can u bloody believe it??? 
How sure are you it was working before. did the abs light go on when you turned the car ignition on?
)
) is working or not? I was under the impression that the light come on with ignition 2 say "working" and if it comes on when the cars running it means "fault". As usual I've probably gt it wrong hey?
