1998 SF ABS issue

Jphank · 07-15-2008, 01:32 PM

I just got a 98 Forester L and the ABS light does not fire when I turn on the car.

I haven't tested the ABS yet by driving fast then slamming them on, I just got it and I want to wait a while before I try anything rash on dry tarmac. In the rain or snow, I would have no qualms but its been pretty dry here for a while.

Has anyone else had this problem?
Is it a matter of the light just being burnt out?
Any other things?

Thanks

Tau137 · 07-15-2008, 08:04 PM

The most likely cause is the burned out light or some wiring issues. Other things... too many too list, need to0 run diagnostics of the ABS operation and wiring integrity.

Jphank · 07-16-2008, 12:11 AM

I figure it's probably the bulb. But I wanted to see if anybody knew anything that was common, like if this is a common problem among SFs.

Thanks, I'll do some more diagnostics over the weekend.

Jphank · 07-31-2008, 11:36 PM

I went out to a parking lot and got some speed and slammed on the brakes in the wet, they locked right up....

Whats the best way to go about diagnosing the problem? Or should I just not even mess around with it and have someone that knows a little more take a look at it?

z00m · 08-01-2008, 06:59 AM

Mostly likely someone (previous owners) got sick and tired of the light and got rid the bulb. Get a bulb and put in back in if that's the case, then find if it's one of the wheel sensor has gone bad (relatively cheap), or could be the ABS controller (expensive).

Someone here must know ways to determine the cause on a Subaru without going to dealer. On other cars, I have followed some procedures (connect some wires), and the light would flash a code to tell you what's wrong. Not sure if Subaru would be similar.

Worst case, take out the bulb again (or tape over it ;-)

Tau137 · 08-01-2008, 10:19 AM

Get the service manual. Or PM me - I might be able to send you the part relevant to ABS diagnostics.

Toozeetoo · 10-04-2008, 06:59 AM

Is your car even supposed to have ABS? Some early US models were pretty bare bones.

back road runner · 10-05-2008, 10:59 AM

Is the fuse pulled? Down and to the left, there's a coin box sort of cubby, but you can pull that out and there are fuses behind it. There's a sticker on the back of it that shows the fuse layout. There will be one for the ABS Solenoid. Has it been pulled? If it's missing, the previous owner probably disabled it. Frankly, the old system sucks enough where you're better off not using it. It has no brake force distribution system and will simply take the grip level of the least grip tire. Braking ability is a bit low with ABS engaged on anything other then even, consistent surfaces. You're better off without it.

However, the braking system is somewhat front biased, good for safety, but on a performance level, it does limit braking and car manipulation during cornering.

snowdance38 · 10-12-2008, 07:20 AM

Like some one said check the fuse.. also on the 98 -99 the ABS is down by the air filter-intake.. I had the same problem and found it went away when I unpluged and repluged the wire plug on the ABS.. I think some one bumped it working on changing the air filter..

Mine will show a light for a while when running it extreame wet conditions and crossing streams.. But goes out after things dry out..

Snowdance
Flickr: snowdance38's Photostream

07-15-2008, 01:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jphank Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Newcastle, WA Posts: 18 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 0 / 0%	1998 SF ABS issue I just got a 98 Forester L and the ABS light does not fire when I turn on the car. I haven't tested the ABS yet by driving fast then slamming them on, I just got it and I want to wait a while before I try anything rash on dry tarmac. In the rain or snow, I would have no qualms but its been pretty dry here for a while. Has anyone else had this problem? Is it a matter of the light just being burnt out? Any other things? Thanks

10-04-2008, 06:59 AM	#7 (permalink)
Toozeetoo Join Date: May 2006 Location: weekdays, Ottawa, weekends, Montreal Posts: 132 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Is your car even supposed to have ABS? Some early US models were pretty bare bones. __________________ 98 Forester S - 5spd 91 Corrado - VR6

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07-15-2008, 08:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tau137 Contributing Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 731 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 3 / 100%	The most likely cause is the burned out light or some wiring issues. Other things... too many too list, need to0 run diagnostics of the ABS operation and wiring integrity.

07-16-2008, 12:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
Jphank Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Newcastle, WA Posts: 18 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I figure it's probably the bulb. But I wanted to see if anybody knew anything that was common, like if this is a common problem among SFs. Thanks, I'll do some more diagnostics over the weekend.

07-31-2008, 11:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jphank Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Newcastle, WA Posts: 18 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I went out to a parking lot and got some speed and slammed on the brakes in the wet, they locked right up.... Whats the best way to go about diagnosing the problem? Or should I just not even mess around with it and have someone that knows a little more take a look at it?

08-01-2008, 06:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
z00m Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central NJ Posts: 169 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Mostly likely someone (previous owners) got sick and tired of the light and got rid the bulb. Get a bulb and put in back in if that's the case, then find if it's one of the wheel sensor has gone bad (relatively cheap), or could be the ABS controller (expensive). Someone here must know ways to determine the cause on a Subaru without going to dealer. On other cars, I have followed some procedures (connect some wires), and the light would flash a code to tell you what's wrong. Not sure if Subaru would be similar. Worst case, take out the bulb again (or tape over it ;-)

08-01-2008, 10:19 AM	#6 (permalink)
Tau137 Contributing Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 731 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 3 / 100%	Get the service manual. Or PM me - I might be able to send you the part relevant to ABS diagnostics.

10-05-2008, 10:59 AM	#8 (permalink)
back road runner Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 270 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 1 / 100%	Is the fuse pulled? Down and to the left, there's a coin box sort of cubby, but you can pull that out and there are fuses behind it. There's a sticker on the back of it that shows the fuse layout. There will be one for the ABS Solenoid. Has it been pulled? If it's missing, the previous owner probably disabled it. Frankly, the old system sucks enough where you're better off not using it. It has no brake force distribution system and will simply take the grip level of the least grip tire. Braking ability is a bit low with ABS engaged on anything other then even, consistent surfaces. You're better off without it. However, the braking system is somewhat front biased, good for safety, but on a performance level, it does limit braking and car manipulation during cornering.

10-12-2008, 07:20 AM	#9 (permalink)
snowdance38 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Yreka, Calif. Posts: 75 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Like some one said check the fuse.. also on the 98 -99 the ABS is down by the air filter-intake.. I had the same problem and found it went away when I unpluged and repluged the wire plug on the ABS.. I think some one bumped it working on changing the air filter.. Mine will show a light for a while when running it extreame wet conditions and crossing streams.. But goes out after things dry out.. Snowdance Flickr: snowdance38's Photostream