Pulling ABS fuse?

[Clifford Heath]

My son is to do an advanced driver training course in the family
Liberty soon. His car doesn't have ABS, and I'd rather he learn
to threshold brake without it. I've heard that the ABS fuse can
be pulled to disable it. Does this have any other side effects,
or is there another reason why we shouldn't consider it?

Clifford Heath.

 

[Sheldon]

My son is to do an advanced driver training course in the family
Liberty soon. His car doesn't have ABS, and I'd rather he learn
to threshold brake without it. I've heard that the ABS fuse can
be pulled to disable it. Does this have any other side effects,
or is there another reason why we shouldn't consider it?

Clifford Heath.

Personally, I hate ABS and would love to have more control over the braking.
I was told not to pull the fuse because in the event of an accident if they
discover the fuse is missing it could cause major problems in a lawsuit. We
get a lot of snow and ice around here, and I hate it when the ABS kick in,
and it kicks in a lot. You have to assume, however, that the vast majority
of drivers don't have the skill to master threshold breaking, or even want
to learn.

Since the vast majority of cars have ABS these days, it might be a good idea
to talk to whoever is running the training course and ask them what to do.

 

[Clifford Heath]

I was told not to pull the fuse because in the event of an accident if they
discover the fuse is missing it could cause major problems in a lawsuit.
You have to assume, however, that the vast majority
of drivers don't have the skill to master threshold breaking, or even want
to learn.

Yes, I'm aware of all that. I just wanted to know what else in the
car might lose power if the fuse is pulled...? Or what other side
effects there might be.

Since the vast majority of cars have ABS these days, it might be a good idea
to talk to whoever is running the training course and ask them what to do.

Good call.

 

[Body Roll]

The thing is, there is one pedal but two sets of brakes: the rears are
easy to lockup
as the subaru magazine was quick to point out an issue or two back.

Yes, I'm aware of all that. I just wanted to know what else in the
car might lose power if the fuse is pulled...? Or what other side
effects there might be.

Another minor system could shutoff. If it does and it won't do for
the school you can pull ABS relay or disconnect any/all
abs sensors.
Another option is removing ABSCM & H/U

Chassis manual is your friend. That's where the wiring diagrams for ABS
are.

Good luck and remember to put most stuff back the way you found it :-]

 

[ric_man]

Personally, I hate ABS and would love to have more control over the braking.
I was told not to pull the fuse because in the event of an accident if they
discover the fuse is missing it could cause major problems in a lawsuit. We
get a lot of snow and ice around here, and I hate it when the ABS kick in,
and it kicks in a lot. You have to assume, however, that the vast majority
of drivers don't have the skill to master threshold breaking, or even want
to learn.

Interesting you mention that about lawsuits. With some insurance
companies (in Victoria, Australia), your insurance is void if it's
discovered at the time of an accident that a car with ABS had its ABS
disengaged.

....Ric

 

[Clifford Heath]

The thing is, there is one pedal but two sets of brakes: the rears are
easy to lockup

Hmm, I guess cars with ABS don't need to pay as much attention to
brake balance...

Another minor system could shutoff. If it does and it won't do for
the school you can pull ABS relay or disconnect any/all
abs sensors.
Another option is removing ABSCM & H/U
Chassis manual is your friend. That's where the wiring diagrams for ABS
are.

Ok, I'll try to find a diagram (98/99 Liberty RX). I had found
an '01 Impreza/WRX manual, but they're probably not similar enough.

In any case I won't do it unless the school recommends it.
The insurance company is actually *paying* for my son to do
the course, so if the school thinks it's a good idea, who are
they to complain?

Wonder how ric_man knew I was in Victoria - Cheers, man.

Clifford heath.

 

[JD]

Hmm, I guess cars with ABS don't need to pay as much attention to
brake balance...

Actually you do. The brakes are more heavily biased to the rear in an ABS
equipped car than a non-ABS car. Consequently, if you remove the fuse, the
rears are likely to lock up first; bad for threshold braking.

 

[Body Roll]

Actually you do. The brakes are more heavily biased to the rear in an ABS
equipped car than a non-ABS car. Consequently, if you remove the fuse, the

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Btw why is that?

rears are likely to lock up first; bad for threshold braking.

Therefore disconnecting just the two sensors on the front wheels
seems like a good option.

 

[Clifford Heath]

Actually you do. The brakes are more heavily biased to the rear in an ABS

Not what I meant, but interesting. I expected as much - if the ABS can
counter over-braking, there's less reason to worry about balance.

 

[S]

Hi Clifford!

My son is to do an advanced driver training course in the family
Liberty soon. His car doesn't have ABS, and I'd rather he learn
to threshold brake without it. I've heard that the ABS fuse can
be pulled to disable it. Does this have any other side effects,
or is there another reason why we shouldn't consider it?

I don't _even_ want to get into the arguments (again) over the moral,
ethical, and legal aspects of doing so, but if you pull the ABS fuse,
'bout all that happens, other than returning control of your brake
pedal, is that the ABS lamp will illuminate.

ByeBye! S.


Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

 

[Clifford Heath]

'bout all that happens, ... is that the ABS lamp will illuminate.

Cheers, and thanks all - that's what I wanted to know.

 

[Body Roll]

Not what I meant, but interesting. I expected as much - if the ABS can
counter over-braking,

While on the tour of ABS wiring diagrams
I run into a g-sensor of some sorts that probably increases the
system involvement in case some moron is breaking and turning at the
same time.
I did not dig deep though to see how exactly it's supposed to work.

there's less reason to worry about balance.

Not really, because in case of abs failure you're back to basics
and, as it was already pointed out, in case of rear bias the likelihood
of spinout is higher.
I don't think FHI engineers are idiots and hope they have a balanced
system
in the absence of ABS. I suppose your son will find out soon enough.
Keep us posted, will you?