Jim Grant's Tech Tips
'94 Geo Prizm, ABS Diagnostics
Q:
I've got a '94 Prizm
and the ABS light stays on. This model differs from Corolla in that you
supposedly can't retrieve the engine codes unless you bring the car to
a shop with a computer code reader. Is there anyway to clear the codes
so that I can try, by process of elimination, to repair it or is there
a tool that I can buy to retrieve these myself?
- Jeff P.
A:
I would first suggest
checking all the fuses. There are 4 fuses that supply power to the ABS
system. Only one is marked ABS the rest are supplies for other systems
as well. Example the interior light and radio fuses also provide electrical
power to the ABS system. From the information I have there is no way to
extract the codes from the ABS computer in your vehicle except with a
scan tool. Also you should know that there are several aftermarket scan
tools that have the ability to retrieve the information you desire. The
computer scan tools with ABS software are a bit pricey. My suggestion
is to locate a shop that has the equipment to retrieve the ABS codes and
ask them to do just that and that alone. Once you have this information
you're better equipped to perform the repair. Using the process of elimination
to repair your ABS system is just short of check book suicide. There are
many components to the ABS system on your vehicle. It would be a shame
to spend many hours and dollars if a $35 to $70 scan tool check would
head you in the right direction the first time. Then there is another
concern. Just how well do you understand, and what are your abilities
to correctly service, an ABS system? There are a surprising number of
repair facilities that will not perform ABS system service due to a lack
of training. Hurting yourself is not a good thing, but injuring someone
else, due to a lack of knowledge, is a bad thing. Be sure you know what
you're getting into when working with computerized braking systems.
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