Just bought the 1999 Acura 3.2TL @ 181,000 Miles
I have worked out several problems/Codes but still more to do.
1. Fixed the EGR cleaning issue
2. Repaired a broken wire in the front left ABS cable.
3. Replaced the 2nd gear pressure switch (works fine now)
4. Programed the two remotes still need a 2nd Ign key

Don't have a ABS light when I turn on the Ign switch (no start)
I am assuming it's the light behind the cluster?
Is there anything else that will keep the dash light off?
The fuse looks good,
Don't know where the relays are.
Any help would be appreciated.

 

welcome and congrats on the diys
register with www.owners.acura.com and download a free operator handbook there

that bad wire to a wheel speed sensor could be the problem,
resistance change from solder or connector is messing up its signal
they often corrode inside and once there is a prob with that or break in wire- toss it and get a new one

Does the cruise control work--its part of the same system

 

Thanks for the reply...Yes the cruse control works fine. If I can get the dashboard ABS light to come on, I'll try to troubleshoot it to go off. Right now I am stuck trying to git to come on with the key just in the ON position. Guess I'll have to take the cluster out to verify the light is good.
Anyother thoughts?

 

Hey Philipwk, It's very possible that the ABS lamp may be out. Perhaps the previous owner found a way to disable it, as an ABS malfunction will not affect the safety of normal braking. The anti-lock feature just won't be available. To troubleshoot the ABS system properly, the codes should be read to assist in the diagnosis. The sensors are subject to a lot of exposure due to their location and often the first place to look.

The related fuses are fuse#14(7.5a) located in the passenger side panel, fuse#4(7.5a) in the driver's panel, and finally underhood are the #47 & #48(20a) fuses. Check all of the ABS/TCS control unit and modulator connector's while you are up front. Is your brake indicator and TCS dash lights coming on ? This is a rather complex system for the DIY'er to troubleshoot. There's also a ABS "fail-safe" relay.

 

I would find some water or gravel and test the ABS operation from 45 mph to full stop
swerve wheel back and forth to lose traction

it should shake the pedal under your foot- with foot buried on brake pedal
During that time ABS light should operate

ABS probs often need a special code reader at specialty brake shops to get its codes,
regular code reader will get speed sensor codes but nothing else

I think its that speed sensor you repaired
once broken they are pretty much toast

 

Hey Philipwk, Just in case you were not sure where the "ABS" lamp is actually located.....it's near the top of the right side cluster, just to the right of the "SRS" lamp and slightly above the "H" on the temp guage. If it doesn't illuminate for a couple of seconds at initial start up, I rather have my doubts if it'll even come on during a panic braking situation with loose gravel or ponded water. Since we presently don't have any snow or ice, the ideal next best test would be to take it offroad and find some wet grassy or muddy hillside, ha...hah, JK !

 

OK so I took out the gage cluster and there was no ABS light, it was missing, also the TCS light was missing. Put everything back together the ABS light comes on, stays on, however I found a bad sensor cable on the left front, now the light comes on with the key and goes off after a few seconds and stays off, SWEET!
Thanks for your help!

 

Good job Philipwk !

Now, all ya gotta do is go out and see if the ABS actually functions. There would be a steady on light if there was a fault detected. But all things aside, it makes one wonder why the bulbs were actually removed in the first place, huh ?
Bad sensor cable, duh......

 

I was going to ask if you checked the bulb but I see you figured it out. Glad you found it.