Abs brake light comes on, and then a wheezing sound occurs as if it is trying to build air pressure, the dealer says it needs the abs system replaced at $1,500, I keep thinking it has got to something simple, it is a 96 3.2 TL with 132,000 miles, great car and hate to get rid of it yet.

 

maybe a leak or maybe some air in the brake lines... u see any brake fluid leaking anywhere???

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...ight=modulator

Check out that thread. Bottom line: I reckon your modulator/accumulator unit needs replacing like mine and many others. I got mine off ebay for around $70 (was from an integra) and replaced the bad one in my TL. Takes about an hour's worth of labor or maybe a bit more. All in all, should cost you around $250 to have it back to new.

Again, I would THINK its the modulator gone bad, but you might want to pull the code form the ABS system just to make sure. Hope this helps

 

no fluid leaks, just sounds like a pumping noise.

 

no leaks, sound like an air pump trying to catch up.

 

i have the same problem, i had code 1-8, for abs accumulator, once replaced, my abs light is gone, but the accumulator is still pumping (making the low sound to build pressure) maybe the remaining of the system needs replacement too (modulator)

 

Some ABS modulators either never leak down or do so extremely slowly, and you seldom if ever hear the pump engage to bring the pressure in the accumulator up to the cut-off limit.

Others always require a "top-up" on startup, but never leak down enough times to set the ABS light.

When ABS pump has to top-up too many times per hour, then ABS system is disabled by controller and ABS light set to ON.

In some cases w/ observed external fluid loss, a simple Oring replacement on the accumulator bottle can stop the leakdown. If there is no observed fluid loss, the leak is internal and modulator replacement is necessary.

good luck