1996 EX 4D 4CYL AT ABS code help
 

Hello,

I'm pulling a 1-2 code from the ABS, and I'm a little weary of where to start troubleshooting.

According to the chart on page 19-64 from here:
http://www.dhost.info/accordinfo/hon.../brakesabs.pdf
The code means something is wrong with the ABS pump motor. The service manual is from 94, so I'm not sure if the codes changed for 96?

According to sir_nasty's post #6 here:
https://www.hondaaccordforum.com/for...ead.php?t=3380
The code means something is wrong with the front-right wheel speed sensor.

I don't really feel like going down the wrong road with troubleshooting, so does anybody have any wisdom to offer? I feel like just disconnecting the FR speed sensor and seeing what happens, in the meantime.

edit: and thanks

Thanks for looking in the DIY section and being prepared with your first post. Welcome to HAF!

If you unplug the FR wheel sensor and still get only the 1-2 code, then sir nasty's post is correct. If not, then the 94 shop manual is correct. Let us know what you find.

I would think that the 94 shop manual is correct, but I have been wrong before. A 1-2 code could come from the fluid being low in the reservoir among other things that are listed in the diagnostic tree on page 19-75.

My list says 1-2 is the ABS pump for the earlier system.

I think it's 1998 when they switched to the all-new system with no separate ABS fluid reservoir. THEN there's a whole different list of error codes.

^^thanks for the suggestion. I've been lurk on this board quite a bit and I've learned a lot about my Accord - searching really helps.

But I've been really lazy, since I broke my leg and my ankle couple months ago. So a friend jacked up the car, took off the FR tire. Followed the speed sensor wire, I don't see a connector. Looked in the engine bay, the damn wire goes through the shock tower and the connector sits on the inside of the strut tower under neath the piping for the intake, behind the air filter housing.

Disconnected the sensor altogether, cycled the car 3x (IIRC, the ECM only remembers the last 3 codes), drove it around a bit, came back. Checked the ABS code again, read 1-2 3x so it's def the same code. I have a sensor on order for delivery on Tuesday, so I'll try changing it then.

Attached is what it looks like. Notice the grommet.

Once I swap the speed sensor, then I should know definitively the service manual for the 94-95 isn't necessarily wrong, but should be noted it's specifically for 94-95, with much information carrying over to 96-97 after the mid-model design.

Thanks, let us know how it works out.

That won't be the only time Honda does something like that in the middle of a "generation". Just because 94-97 have the same body doesn't mean they're all identical in every way.

Mangod! So I disconnected it and was driving it around a couple of days, same code every time I checked. I finally found some time to switch it today and disconnected the batter ly a good 8 hrs because I had other things to do. From the time I turned the ignition on, I was still getting the 1-2 code. Man, what freaked me out was I left my custom SLS connector or whatever in the plug for the ABS and drove around with a check engine light but no engine codes. Took my a while to figure that one out haha. It was worth a shot. When I get some more time, I'll disconnect thr FL speed sensor and see what kind of code pops up.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

edit: so disconnected the FL sensor. Driving around with FL sensor disconnected, and new FR speed sensor attached. STILL 3x 1-2 codes. Now I'm really puzzled. Even if using the 94 codelist, wouldn't it have thrown a 4-2 code in addition to 1-2? MAN!!!!

If you would like to PM me with a REAL email address I'll be happy to send you the 6 page PDF file to diagnose ABS code 1-2

I forgot to respond to this. I was at the local Pick-N-Pull, found a car w/ same ABS assy. I clipped all the pipes and got the entire unit for like $60. Figured it would be worth a shot and save me a lot of time with troubleshooting since my skills are very lacking in the ways of electrical.

Replaced the entire unit w/ control module, modulator, etc, no more ABS code. Tested the ABS and it's working normal, now.

OK, nice job.
Thanks for getting back to us.