<VV> Mfr shoots self in foot. (long - please do not quotewhole thang - minimal corvair)

[Charles Lee at Proper Pro Per]

>> one case where a mechanic just replacing all four sensors would solve the 
>> problem. <<

That's one more advantage to the mechanic, such as the one who misdiagnosed 
my loose shock absorber bolts for a "replace the whole shebang" gambit.

Had I not known better, and let him replace the ENTIRE FRONT END !!!! sure 
enough, the banging would be gone, and I'd be none the wiser.

Whole lot more for the customer, but (almost) guaranteed to fix the problem, 
right ?

(This assumes he didn't forget to tighten something else, and charge me to 
fix that down the road.)


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Padgett" <pp2 at 6007.us>
To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Friday, September 15, 2006 2:36 PM
Subject: Re: <VV> Mfr shoots self in foot. (long - please do not quotewhole 
thang - minimal corvair)


> For about a year now I have been troubleshooting an intermittent ABS fault 
> in the '88. Before going further, this was a German TEVES Mk II unit that 
> was standard in Buick Reatta and Pontiac Bonneville SSEs & STEs, and 
> optional in most large GM cars from 1987 to 1990. Quite a few sold.
>
> Meanwhile I was getting intermittent fault codes 32, 36, and 76 all of 
> which indicated the passenger side front wheel sensor. Checked GM service 
> manuals (four from different cars and years, Ford Thunderbird listing ( 
> http://www.albeedigital.com/supercoupe/articles/abs-system.html ) and a 
> similar Autozone listing. All same though frustrating (four different 
> codes, 32, 36, 46, 56, and 76 all said just "Right Front Wheel Sensor". 
> Even verified that their right was my right (passenger side)).
>
> Long story short at various times I replaced the wheel sensor (twice), the 
> ABS computer (in trunk), the ABS relays, the wheel bearing (felt some 
> play), verified the wiring harness, and finally built a replacement wiring 
> harness run from 16 gauge shielded twisted pair. Had also instrumented 
> several times but looked fine.
>
> Keep in mind that the problem never surfaced while parked, only when 
> driving and reading the codes required removing a cover, jabbering two 
> connectors (different pins 87-88 and 89-90), and counting flashes.
>
> Finally in desperation I just pulled the right front wheel sensor 
> connector and turned the ignition on. Checking codes I found a 33. 
> 33!?!?!?!. *Every* piece of documentation said that was the right *rear* 
> sensor. Hokay, I cleared the codes and dug the *left* (drivers) side 
> connector out from the harness and pulled it. Code 36. OY!
>
> Hokay, maybe the computer is confused so swapped computers (no memcals, 
> all different). Codes came up the same.
>
> Careful cleaning and checking of the driver's side wheel sensor cable 
> revealed a cut in the insulation and a break in the ground shield. 
> Replacement cured the problem and has been fine since.
>
> Have sent an e-mail to Continental-Teves but no reply (over a week). 
> Checking found no TSB or Advisory or correction to the troubleshooting 
> chart. Seems incredible that no one has noticed in 18 years. OTOH I have 
> heard of a lot of TEVES ABSs being tossed out in favor of a conventional 
> non-ABS system. Is one case where a mechanic just replacing all four 
> sensors would win.
>
> Interesting, but stupid.
>
> Padgett
>
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