Disabling Anti-lock Brakes?

[Huw Powell]

> I'm looking for advice for a friend and her '90 coupe quattro.
> It was in for timing belt and water pump last week, and the discussion
> turned to the ABS.
> When it's disabled, she's got halfway decent brakes, but when ABS is left
> on, she's got virtually none.
> Also, when she applies the brakes with ABS enabled, even gently, she gets a
> serious CLUNK.
> The mechanic, who has taken care of my 4kqs, and my urq, mentioned that the
> 205/50-15 tires could contribute to her troubles.  Does that make any sense?

No

> If all else fails, and to stay away from a second mortgage, is there any
> chance that we could disable the ABS by removing a fuse or relay?

Yes.  The ABS relay is behind the drivers side knee pad thingie, along
with a bunch of other relays.  It is the one with the red (10 A?) fuse
plugged into it.  Removing the fuse will undo the ABS.  Removing the
idiot light bulb in the inst. cluster will make this less irritating,
and removing the disable switch from the center dash will stop anyone
from thinking that they actually *have* ABS in the car.

Alternatively, she could find a less imaginative and more competent
mechanic mechanic to troubleshoot and perhaps fix the ABS.

I've been too lazy and chose the former route, but I do wish I had it
working again.

(PS: these instructions are rather specific to the '89 90Q, but I'm sure
the CQ is very similar)

--
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/

http://www.humanthoughts.org/