ABS activates every time I brake hard

[Tony Montoya]

The system is activated even if I stop from 5 kph. Then, most of the time, the pump runs. If the tire pressure is low, it is, is that the problem? Maybe the streets are greasy and have fine sand on them? It stops well in a panic at 180kph and I can control ABS activating but it seems like the system is coming on too easily at low speeds.

 

[MvM]

As far as I know, ABS should or even WILL not activate at speeds below 10 kph, so your experience sounds very strange to me.

What tires are you running and are they within the 2% spec with regard to circumference of the tires? In what condition are your tires and on what kind of road do you experience this.

First thing I would do, besides checking the tires, is checking and/or replacing my brake fluids and bleed my ABS-system. If your ABS-pump is running every time it could be caused by old, dirty and water hydrated brake fluid.

 

[NSXGMS]

As MvM notes the first place I'd look is the wheel/tire setup. Exotic setups can throw the ABS and TCS off. It's not a very sophisticated system as ABS systems go.

And I also agree there could be an issue with your ABS. The ABS must be regularly excercised or it can malfunction. I'd go out and lock up the brakes intentionally 4 or 5 times to fully engage the ABS and see if that doesn't help somewhat.

 

[Gansan]

I have had a similar problem with my Integra in the past. The pump would come on and cycle even when you are gently slowing down to park the car. It turned out one of the wheel speed sensors was damaged. The metal leaf that reads the teeth on the CV joint was bent and could not read the speed correctly.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

I have had a similar problem with my Integra in the past. The pump would come on and cycle even when you are gently slowing down to park the car. It turned out one of the wheel speed sensors was damaged. The metal leaf that reads the teeth on the CV joint was bent and could not read the speed correctly.

In the NSX this type of issue should gen a TCS code. Do you have a TCS light on steady?

Regards,
LarryB

 

[Tony Montoya]

The NSX has 91 OEM wheels and tires. I've only had a few problems with the ABS system. A stuck selenoid and it overflowed some fluid once. The fluid has been changed a few times. The brake pads were all replaced recently but I forget if the tech replaced the fluid as well.

The only TCS light on is the one that tells you it's not off.

The ABS is easy enough to control at high speed hard stops, it just comes on too easy during hard slow speed stops. Like driving in snow.

 

[Tony Montoya]

The rear Yokos are fine. The fronts are fine visually but thanks for reminding me to check the inside tread. Second set at 48k km and I forgot they don't last much past 25-30k km. Rats, I have one set of new rears left but no more fronts.
The roads are horrible, rutted, and worn tarmac, that black stuff, I can't spell it.

I'll send the car to the dealer and have the system checked and fluid replaced also.

 

[Paul91]

If you need to bleed the ABS system and want to DIY:

http://www.danoland.com/nsxgarage/brakes/abs/abs.htm

 

[nsxtasy]

Just as a point of information - on dry pavement in moderate to warm temperatures, with decent tires, it should be VERY difficult to engage the ABS. You really have to deliberately stomp on the pedal VERY HARD. So something is definitely wrong.

 

[RON98]

you have upgraded brake kit?

 

[Tony Montoya]

you have upgraded brake kit?

The brakes are 91 OEM.

It is a problem Ken. I am braking hard but not very hard. I think. I will try it again this week. I think I should be able to brake hard from 160 kph and have stuff fly out of the front seat without the ABS coming on and it should stop quickly at low speed without ABS activating.

 

[Tony Montoya]

Update: The NSX fixed itself. At low speeds when I brake the contents on the passenger seat go flying and the tires do not lock up. I was going to take the car out of the parking garage for a high speed test but the city patched all the downtown streets with tar and a layer of gravel. It's ridiculus how there is gravel all over the road when the patch area is not the whole road. Plus it's 30C so the tar and gravel sticks to everything.

I couldn't take it to the dealer anyways as I have some issues right now so nothing will get done this year, maybe not even an oil change. I can't keep appointments.