Re: weird ABS light flicker

[Andrew Duane USG/PE <duane@zk3.dec.com>]

> I have a weird problem of sorts that leaves me scratching my head.
> The car in question is an 89 200q.  When the car accelerates rapidly
> (ie. passing trucks going uphill on the highway at say 65~70 mph
> sorry no metric, I'm in a rush ) the abs light blinks on for a second
> or two or three then goes off with no assist from me (I don't touch the 
> ABS switch) at the same time the wife tells me the green light from the 
> differential lock switch blinks on and the voltage gauge flickers 
> +/-3 V (this is noticeable as my headlights flicker) when the light goes off.
> Neat huh.  Well I can feel my charge card getting warmer as I think 
> about what could be wrong.
> 
> So, anybody feel challenged by this kind of bug?  I'm all ears,  and would 
> love to know what to check first.

Check your alternator belt.

I had a similar thing (coupled with a bad ABS sensor), but the culprit
for that turned out to be the belt. The alternator slips, drops voltage,
and the ABS computer goes spastic for a second or two. It is apparently
very sensitive to voltage.

If the belt is OK, try the voltage regulator, all connections, etc.

If all that is OK, you may have to shell out $200-300 for a new ABS
sensor....

-- 

Andrew L. Duane (JOT-7)			duane@zk3.dec.com
Digital Equipment Corporation		(603)-881-1294
110 Spit Brook Road
M/S ZKO3-3/U14
Nashua, NH    03062-2698

Only my cat shares my opinions, and she's too heavy to care.