ABS Pump constantly running...

[89xjgrey]

Well here's the situation...
I have an '89 XJ ltd with ABS. The system has been fine up until recently when my abs pump started to constantly run. I figured it might be a leak somewhere in the system, but I was unable to detect one. From time to time...the yellow 'check antilock' light will come on...and occassionally, both red 'brake' light and yellow 'check antilock' lights come on. My braking seems to be okay, but the constant running of the pump motor is driving me crazy. Any suggestions as to what it might be, or how to easily disable the abs system so as not to hear the motor anymore??? Anyhelp is greatly appreciated.

 

[sjx40250]

I had a problem with the ABS in my Sterling (it was a gift!). I had the FSM for it but decided the easiest way to "fix" it was to pull the fuse. Now I have normal braking without ABS! The unfortunate part is that I can still dirve the car. I am wondering what the fatal failure will be!

 

[Greg Smith]

Either your accumulator or your pump is bad. The pump has a lifetime warranty per recall 702. Take it to the dealer. If you need a new accumulator it is about $100 for the part and less than a 1 hr install. I did it in 30 minutes. The accumulator holds the reserve pressure and should hold enough pressure to allow 2-4 brake pedal applications before the pump comes back on to replace pressure in the accumulator. It is the black ball shape thing next to the master cylinder resovoir. Don't pull the fuse for your pump since your pump supplies the power brake function. Since the red brake light comes on sometimes you need to get this fixed asap. The yellow abs light just means abs is not working. The red light is much more serious. It probably means your power brakes are not working because of a lack of pwr brake pressure. I doubt a leak of fluid unless your fluid level has dropped in the resovoir. Greg

 

[jneary]

the accumulator goes bad quite often, but when it does it can burn out the pump from continuously running. i would guggest you let the dealer diagnose this one because there was a recall involved and they have the gauge to hook yp and check for the proper pump pressure. this beats spending money unnecessarily by just throwing parts at it.