2002 TACOMA ABS ENGAGING EVEN ON DRY PAVEMENT, SCARY! INTERMITTENT ABS LIGHT

Vehicle: 2002 Toy Tacoma DBL cab 4x4, 3.4l v-6. Problem: I have an intermittent abs light that comes on. Worst problem is that my abs engages even on dry pavement making a loud gear on gear sound that seems to be coming from the center of the floorboard to the right of my feet. This happens mostly while braking into a left turn while trying to come to a stop sign/light. This goes away if I pump the brakes. So far I have had Les Schwab diagnose it as a bad LF wheel speed sensor. They replaced it and I still have the same issue. Took it back to them, they tested impedance on both WS sensors, tone ring etc, all checked out fine. Has anyone else had this problem?

 

I have a 2002 Tacoma that's been sitting for awhile and that light came on today after a slight clunk.

I'm hoping its just maybe some rust on the drums from my truck sitting for so long or just a quirky sensor thing that will work itself out.

You still having the same problem?

 

i had a similar experience with the ABS on my 2004. I pulled the 30a fuse under the hood and haven't looked back. even removed the bulb from behind the gauge cluster. i feel much safer with actual control over my braking.

 

Are your tires all the same size?

 

Tires are all the same. 2 1/2" coil over lift from day one.

 

This happened to me several times on my 99 Tacoma, nearly rear ended a couple of cars, scary! ABS would kick on at a hard stop and I learned to be very fast with the E-brake. Took it to Titus Will Toyota in Tacoma a few times and replaced sensor after sensor but they couldn't even fix it. After dumping a lot of $ replacing perfectly good wheel sensors, I just unplugged the wiring harness to the ABS unit itself. ABS light stays on but the unit can't engage. Over 5 years have passed since then and I have had no other braking issues, easiest fix ever. In hindsight, pulling the fuse probably would have been the best way to accomplish the same thing. Good luck.

 

Your problem may be more than just a wheel speed sensor. I used to be a Toyota Tech and have dealt with many ABS malfunctions. Your tech may have failed to diagnose and trace the root cause up to the ABS Unit itself. There were a few cases where I would get a code for a wheel speed sensor and it ended up being an internal open/short within the ABS unit. Have the tech re-diagnose it or unplug it like how everyone else does. Good luck!

 

Probably a faulty solenoid/actuator in the abs unit,,with the gear on gear noise. A electromechanical plunger in there, to pump that pressure at high speed.



You would think that after just a few reports of bad ABS units they would immediately issue a recall.

 

Same issue on my 02 DC V6, took it to the dealer and ran diagnostic. Forgot which codes populated, but it was one or two wheel sensors. They reset it, and sure enough came back on as I was driving away. Did some extensive research for a cure on the forums, but no luck.

 

I did the same thing when travelling to the mountain this winter to board. Hit some pretty bad patches in the road, and sure enough, I didn't hear that god awful sound that the ABS makes, and my truck did way better. I have almost gotten into some bad accidents around the city rear ending people, like others have said due to the ABS. I say take the damn fuse out, and don't think twice.

 

My abs is out due to an expensive part. Been driving without it for a year. As long as I remember to pump instead of jamming the brakes, I'm fine.

 

Thanks guys! Sorry it's taken me so long to reply. Yes, I removed the fuse and haven't looked back. Seems to be just fine now.