can abs sensor be cleaned/repaired?

[berge]

94 accord, abs shows code 44-right rear abs sensor no good. two years ago I replaced the left rear on a similar code, problem solved.
thing is, this little sucker is $230 from honda and there are no aftermarket parts. anybody ever clean/repair one of these things or am I doomed to giving my money to the stealership?
thanks

 

[Ray H]

I honestly don't know. But, the real question you should be asking yourself, is, if you monkey with the darned thing, and put it back in service, what do you feel your own life and the lives of your family members worth?

 

[rgl]

You can probably get one from the junkyard for next to nothing, not too many people buy used electrical.

 

[rpn453]

Pull it off and have a look at it. Maybe there's a visible problem. Take it apart and have a closer look if necessary.
Another option is to phone the salvage yards. You might be able to get one cheap.

For $230 I'd have a tough time convincing myself not to just pull the fuse on the ABS system, unless it's fine to run without one rear sensor. I drove Saskatchewan winters for many years in ABS-less cars without ever once thinking "I wish I had ABS". As long as you think while driving and realize that you can't turn with the wheels locked up, you're fine. Spend it on some good winter tires instead! I'm sure many will disagree with this last paragraph though!

The GM ABS systems were so bad (I don't know what they're like now) that I pull the fuse on my mom's 99 Sunfire GT if I have to drive it in the winter. It seems to work to prevent you from stopping on snow. I put studded BFG Winter Slaloms on that car so I can stop better than pretty much everyone on the road anyway.

[ July 29, 2004, 08:54 PM: Message edited by: rpn453 ]

 

[W.T.McGlynn]

I was told by a "Wagner" Rep.about ten years ago, that was no record on file up to that time that"ABS" had ever saved any lives.

 

[eljefino]

Do note that front/rear proportioning valves are less complex with ABS... so your front/rear bias might be a bit off with an existing system disabled compared to the same car without it ever being installed.

 

[Steve S]

ABS is like an airbag.

 

[Russ]

Whatever is done to this sensor at this point should not have any safety side effects. In other words, there is no way to make this particular vehicle less safer than it is now. Once the ABS module even suspects a problem in the system (let alone sees a bad wheel sensor), it shuts the whole thing off, and you are back to a "regular" brake system. So there is no need to pull any fuses or anything.
As for cleaning/repairing a sensor, I'd say visually inspect it (could be that there is some kind of obstruction there, not likely, though), and check the resistance against the spec. (that'll tell you for sure if you can salvage the sensor or not).

 

[RH+G]

U can clean it with brake cleaner. That happens all the time on that car. Clean with the brake cleaner and a brush then put it back and thake the car for a spin. It if still acts up then u are out of luck.

 

[berge]

thanks all.