1998 Discovery ABS activating without cause

[1998DiscoverySE]

Good morning all. So I just bought my first Rover. I am in LOVE. This thing is built like a tank! So my primary problem for now is that my ABS system is activating on a false positive. In other words. The ABS system will engage when coming to a normal, controlled stop on dry pavement. The brakes are all in good operating condition and the system would be operationg GREAT if I were driving on snow or Ice. The dashboard indicator is not illuminated and there are no codes being thrown. It is basically a false-positive. I am uite car savvy but wouod love any advice from some folks who may have experienced this in the past. Where is the specific locations of the speed sensors? Is there a common fix for cleaning or re-calibrating the speed sensors? Any other ideas or suggestions? Much thanks and happy wheelin'!

[Savannah Buzz]

From RAVE shop manual:

NOTE: If warning lamp has indicated a
fault in system, and no fault code has been
stored in memory, cause of fault is:
a) Failure in electrical supply
b) Bad ECU ground
c) Faulty warning light relay
d) ECU not connected
Before commencing fault diagnosis procedure
following items must be checked:

1.

Inspect all exposed cables for damage or

abrasion.

2.

Check ground on ABS system.

3.

Battery - state of charge.

4.

Check hub end-float.
5. All ABS fuses and electrical connections

Here is page from the RAVE showing location of wheel sensor on front (top of housing). There is more information in the RAVE, which is a free dowload of all the electrical and shop manuals. Link below.

[1998DiscoverySE]

Thanks Savannah, Great resource for me. Ill let you know what I come up with.

[Spike555]

Pull the ABS pump fuse from the fuse box under the hood, problem solved.
The ABS system on the DI sucks and it expensive to repair.
In the tech section there is a write up on how to read and clear the ABS trouble codes
Once that is done, and you price parts, you will open the hood and remove the fuse.
You MUST remove the ABS PUMP fuse not the ABS fuse.

[EricTyrrell]

Why does it suck compared to other ABS systems? What about D2 ABS?

[Spike555]

Because it was added only to meet NAS requirements, so it was a after thought.
If it was not properly maintained it acted up all the time.

The DII ABS is very good when it works, once it throws a fault it does not work at all.

[EricTyrrell]

Good info Spike. Does it lock too much? or too little? or just slow to react?

[Spike555]

You know I dont really know.
When I first got my truck it worked no problems but then it did its what every Series I Discovery's ABS does and my wife almost rear ended a school bus so I pulled the ABS pump fuse, that was almost 5 years ago.
I never had a chance to try the ABS in snow or rain.

[EricTyrrell]

Oh wait now that sounds bad. So when it goes out you loose all brakes? or you just get non-ABS breaks which were too strong so that caused her to almost hit the bus? I'm trying to understand what happens when it goes out. I always thought it would just revert back to locking brakes. It sounds bad though.

[Dave M]

I can tell you what mine was/is like if it helps....

When the system was apparently ok i had no trouble , except when braking at junctions when wet , with painted road markings or metal manhole covers.It just wouldn't stop .... this was at low speed and normal brakes would not have locked in this situation.
In my mind it was over reacting, but everyone who checked it said it was ok....it didn't feel it when not stopping though.
When it started playing up it would fight me and refuse to pull up where i wanted it to.... if the light came on i was relieved because at least it would stop as a car should,but even then it would occaisionly refuse to brake as you would expect.

Had i disabled the system i would of at least had normal breaking

I can see the benifits of a working system.... just wish mine was one.
I've owned 2 Classic RangeRovers without ABS and they had powerfull brakes, and as long as you remembered that when braking in the wet( especially without any load weight in the back) they were fine and safe.
I wish i had a legal option to remove ABS from my Disco... at least i'd know what would happen when i stand on the brake pedal.

Dave