My ABS has been extremely enthusiastic lately, kicking in even on dry straight roads under moderately heavy braking. It's increasing my stopping distance when it does that.

I am not technically very knowledgeable but I would like to work on this myself if it is possible. Any suggestions whether something could be wrong?

Thanks.

 

I want to make sure i understand this - you are not technically knowledgeable, but are prepared to second guess the ABS which was designed and refined by degreed engineers. I must be missing the fifth element here. What do you have in mind? The ABS system is not an adaptive mode system - that is, it does not have programming that can alter its design parameters based on driver habits, ambient temperature, etc. If it detects slip or an impending lock up, it does its thing.

Other drive control systems offer some sort of driver control - like auto trannies having winter mode, performance mode(s), etc. Or GM's cool magnetically based shock damping.

 

The only explanation I could offer is that perhaps your tires are wearing? ABS kicks in when the system detects slip during hard braking. If it is kicking in more often than before, that means loss of traction is coming on sooner than before. And that usually is due to either a change in the environment or a change in the condition of the tires.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by FC20

 

Let's see - You live in Seattle. Lately, in Seattle, the temps have been near freezing as a daytime high. Relative humidity today was about 87% and the dewpoint was 33*F. It's most likely been raining off and on? Your roads may look dry, but I'll bet they are still moist and bloody cold. Your ABS cuts in during "moderate/heavy" braking. Geez, I'm surprised the ABS hasn't been cutting in during moderate/light sudden brake application.

 

Do a search and check out this thread in particular
http://forums.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.p...+sensor+problem

I had a different problem with mine where during high speed braking it would shudder which I assumed was either slightly worn discs or according to the link within the thread I posted, uneven wearing of the pads But as I said it was only at high speeds so I left it.

 

sounds to me just to be a combination of cold tires and slippery road

 

The Honda ABS is also very sensitive if you are braking in a straight line on a rippled surface. If you come to the end of a road, where most braking takes place and the road surface is undulating the ABS will kick in early. Are any of these your symptoms? Also have the sensors checked to make sure the magnetic sensors haven't picked up too much dirt fooling the system into kicking in.

 

I have an idea. Disable the ABS via the hand brake, and see if a wheel locks up easily under braking.