Has anyone done or better yet have the plans to where you can flip the ABS one and off on a Suby? 02 WRX for exact.

The ABS is annoying on dry pavement and since I live in the desert, I wouldn't mind being able to shut it off. I remeber a SCC mag talking about doing this, but never saw how

Fuse box, yank the fawker.

That's a good question, though. It would be cool if you could wire a switch into that circuit, maybe a Subie switch that fits one of the numerous blanks, to turn ABS on or off from within the cabin ;)

Seems like a simple matter of installing a switch, and wiring one of the fuse leads to the switch and the other side of the switch to the fusebox....

there is a switch that goes besides the fog/cruise buttons
Fastline used to have that switches if I'm not mistaken, but I checked his site - not any more
it has a little red bulb on it so you know when it's off

In the article in SCC, I believe they were using a switch similar to our cruise control button. When you start the car, it defaults to ABS on, push button in and ABS shuts off. If you turned the car off while ABS was still deactivated. When you restarted the car, ABS would be on. Kind of a safety feature.

/\rcanum

What about a mod to desensitize the ABS? It seems like our ABS is a bit skittish, but I don't feel all that safe shutting it off completely. So does such a mod exist? Or am I in la la land? :D

Yep, la la land. I would think the ABS programming would be pretty deep in the brains of the unit and I don't think my mad skills at basic programming could help it. But you were always in la la land.

/\rcanum

Originally posted by Arcanum
In the article in SCC, I believe they were using a switch similar to our cruise control button. When you start the car, it defaults to ABS on, push button in and ABS shuts off. If you turned the car off while ABS was still deactivated. When you restarted the car, ABS would be on. Kind of a safety feature.

Fasttech used to sell such a switch that had a light.

Another mod done by someone (forgot who) was basically a big red kill switch that is wired to the fuse. So when the switch is thrown the "brake" light is turned on in the cabin, just as if you pulled said fuse.

There are actually two ABS fuses, one works better than the other. I think if you use the wrong fuse when you break the circuit (kill switch) and then close the circuit again the light won't turn off (and the ABS will remain off) until you turn the car off and then on again.

Here's a picture of the "other mod". The only real concern raised by this switch is "What if something happens and the insurance company sees a kill switch?"

http://home.attbi.com/~uyj39/pics/abs_kill_switch.jpg
(sorry about it being blurry, I didn't take it)

That's the same setup I have in my car, and here's the wiring diagram:

http://www.garrickgoh.com/iclubdls/absswitch.jpg

Just remember that there are two ABS fuses, and one of them doesn't shut the ABS light off when you flip it back on. I can't remember which one that is at the moment, but I think it's the one that's to the right of the main cabin fusebox. You can't really see it in the above shot.

Hahaha, nice diagram. Simple, but helpful. What kind of fuse is that?

Same amperage as the stock one. :)

Originally posted by Rally Ho
Same amperage as the stock one. :)

Cool, what did you use as a switch?

A little switch from Radio Shack... but I'm planning on getting that switch with the red cover on it. :) It's only 20 something anyway.

Thanks for the help guys. Does anyone know how to have the switch reset? Example, ABS is disabled, you shut the car off, but when you restart the car, ABS is back on.

I live in the desert, if I shut the ABS off via switch, whenever I need ABS, I'll probably already forgot about the switch.

/\rcanum

The big yellow ABS light in the dash should tip you off. :p

Unfortunately, how to do a self-rearming switch is out of my limited realm of knowledge. :)

I think I might just pull the fuse tomorrow for the snow. :D

Originally posted by Lobster Man
I think I might just pull the fuse tomorrow for the snow. :D

:eek:


Can I have dibs on some of your parts?







:D



/\rcanum

Originally posted by Arcanum
:eek:


Can I have dibs on some of your parts?
:D
/\rcanum

Actually, pulling the fuse in the snow will decrease your stopping distances b/c snow builds up in front of the wheel.

Rally Hoe ;)

when you doing the ABS on /off switch install day ??

Weasel:)

Originally posted by Arcanum
Yep, la la land. I would think the ABS programming would be pretty deep in the brains of the unit and I don't think my mad skills at basic programming could help it. But you were always in la la land.

/\rcanum
I resemble that remark! :D But hey a guy can dream right? Thanks for the good info everyone!

Originally posted by Arcanum
Thanks for the help guys. Does anyone know how to have the switch reset? Example, ABS is disabled, you shut the car off, but when you restart the car, ABS is back on.

I live in the desert, if I shut the ABS off via switch, whenever I need ABS, I'll probably already forgot about the switch.

/\rcanum

Seems like it would involve a relay of some sort.

Originally posted by Weasel 555
Rally Hoe ;)

when you doing the ABS on /off switch install day ??

Weasel:)

Sounds like a plan to me.

You guys must have a serious lack of electrical skills if you're relying on me to solder some wires! :p

Rally Hoe,
yep its a bit tough to run a cable from the 3rd floor apt down 2 blocks to where the car lives ;) hehehehehehehe

so if its that easy i'll be round later :)

thanks
Andy...mmmmm Maybe we can at "Marks" place !!

Originally posted by Weasel 555
Rally Hoe,
yep its a bit tough to run a cable from the 3rd floor apt down 2 blocks to where the car lives ;) hehehehehehehe

so if its that easy i'll be round later :)

thanks
Andy...mmmmm Maybe we can at "Marks" place !!

:D, just show up.

turning on and off the abs while running, will that screw up anything with the system?

If you use the right fuse, you can flip it on & off at will. If you use the other fuse, you can turn it off, but it won't turn on again until you turn off the ignition.

Originally posted by Arcanum
Thanks for the help guys. Does anyone know how to have the switch reset? Example, ABS is disabled, you shut the car off, but when you restart the car, ABS is back on.

I live in the desert, if I shut the ABS off via switch, whenever I need ABS, I'll probably already forgot about the switch.

/\rcanum

that was the point of fastline's switch, it was $70 (or something close to that) so and it would reset itself when the car was turned off then on again.

what rally ho said about the fuse is right, you have to find the right one to get that kill switch to turn things on and off on the fly... i can find the fuse to be pulled for a MY00 RS if you want (i had to pull it when i went to the snow). i'm sure someone can post the fuse for the wrx...

-kami

Someone please do a formal write up of this mod, because it would be perfict for auto X.

kaminari, do you have a link for the unit you were talking about that does the "reset" I was talking about? I can't seem to find it.

And please, will someone either do, or find a write up on disabling the ABS, maybe a sticky or in a modifications section on the I-Club?

/\rcanum

kaminari: knowing what fuse would be helpful. I know it's either the abs solenoid fuse of the abs motor fuse, probable the solenoid though as it's in the car interior and easier to mod.

Originally posted by Rally Ho
If you use the right fuse, you can flip it on & off at will. If you use the other fuse, you can turn it off, but it won't turn on again until you turn off the ignition.
I can tell you which fuse it *isn't*. I pulled the 20 amp fuse in the #8 slot which disables the ABS. I started the engine and the ABS indicator light stayed lit. I replaced the fuse while motor was running and the ABS light stays on. Cycling the ignition reset the ABS light and system.

This might not be the best fuse slot to modify, but it's the easiest one to reach. Radio Shack has some parts like mini-fuse taps and inline mini-fuse holders, as well as switches, that will make for a clean installation.

--
WW

the fuse you are looking for, for ON/OFF operation is a pain to get to... it is actually under the relay's next to the fuses (just to the right of the fuse box).

It is a red 10A near the bottom... you can't get to it realy well unless you take off some trim (2 screws, 1 trim plug & the clips by the top...)

This fuse alows to you to kill & reset while driving...

As far as auto-X, I think it bumps you up some classes.

sorry, the only fuse i know of is in my MY00 RS... and I still forgot which one that is, i'll find out later.

and the switch that will reset itself when the car's turned off and then on... they don't sell anymore. used to be from fastline (http://www.fastlineonline.com).

-kami

If you just used a Cruise switch from SOA wouldn't that fix the on/off reset consern (as it does with the Cruise) or is the reset controlled by something else.

if i remember right, the switch itself didn't hold the "reset itself when the car is turned off then on again" relay or whatever.

it's somewhere else.

i could be mistaken, it's been about a year or more since i last fiddled with it.

Come on I know there are some people out there that understand this stuff. I think this would be ofe of the best modifications if it could be done and if i only knew a little more about the wireing on the rex I would be working on this non-stop.

Will someone have this situation set straight. I wanna have the on/off ABS too.
Someone pleeease show us how to set this up, the right way and safe way.
Please someone give us a wiring diagram how to set it up for 02-04 WRX. Someone who actually know what they're talking about.

Thank you
We appreciate on behalf of all the people in this thread who also wants to know.

I did this mod a long time ago but later got rid of it when i got rims and tires.

I took a fuse and cut it in half to cut the breaker in it and to solder some 10 or 12 guage wire to it, on of the wires having an inline fuseholder on it. Then I glued the broken fuse back together and soldered the other ends to one of numerous switches that I bought at Radio Shack, there are thousands of switches out there that would work. Make sure everything has proper amperasge handling otherwise something will fry and hopefully not your ABS brain, that thing is a couple grand to replace. My switch also came with a light if grounded to the chasis, i didn't bother with that. I then dremmeled the little blank for the switch in the dash to fit the the switch and superglued it together. Be patient in letting it dry. Then i pluged the setup (with a new fuse inside of the new fuseholder) into where the original fuse used to go. I like to call this an in-line fuse setup. Make sure you remove the fuse on the yellow fuseboard and not the one off to the side. I beleive its a 15amp fuse.

This mod is pretty fun but it will reak havock on your tires if you really enjoy it like I did. It is especially useful offroad though.

ABS has saves my butt in the snow though several times and I would leave it on there.

I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU GO DO THIS MOD AND END UP KILLING YOURSELF OR SOMETHING BREAKS IN YOUR CAR. I WILL NOT NE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ANYTHING THAT MAY OCCUR AS A RESULT OF THIS MOD. BE SUPER CAREFUL AND KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING!!! I AM FULLY WAIVING ANY RESPONSIBILITY THAT CAN BE PLACED ON ME AT THIS POINT.

I did this mod a long time ago but later got rid of it when i got rims and tires.

I took a fuse and cut it in half to cut the breaker in it and to solder some 10 or 12 guage wire to it, on of the wires having an inline fuseholder on it. Then I glued the broken fuse back together and soldered the other ends to one of numerous switches that I bought at Radio Shack, there are thousands of switches out there that would work. Make sure everything has proper amperasge handling otherwise something will fry and hopefully not your ABS brain, that thing is a couple grand to replace. My switch also came with a light if grounded to the chasis, i didn't bother with that. I then dremmeled the little blank for the switch in the dash to fit the the switch and superglued it together. Be patient in letting it dry. Then i pluged the setup (with a new fuse inside of the new fuseholder) into where the original fuse used to go. I like to call this an in-line fuse setup. Make sure you remove the fuse on the yellow fuseboard and not the one off to the side. I beleive its a 15amp fuse.

This mod is pretty fun but it will reak havock on your tires if you really enjoy it like I did. It is especially useful offroad though.

ABS has saves my butt in the snow though several times and I would leave it on there.

I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU GO DO THIS MOD AND END UP KILLING YOURSELF OR SOMETHING BREAKS IN YOUR CAR. I WILL NOT NE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ANYTHING THAT MAY OCCUR AS A RESULT OF THIS MOD. BE SUPER CAREFUL AND KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING!!! I AM FULLY WAIVING ANY RESPONSIBILITY THAT CAN BE PLACED ON ME AT THIS POINT.


wasn't that the same method on page one. ( The cartoon looking diagram)???

is there anything else we can do to our abs besides turning it off ..
to tame the cut off due to going over bumps and breaking??

So let me get this straight for I am electrically handicapped, I can yank the ABS fuse and it will disable ABS and when I replace it it will go back to normal right ? With no reprocussions (exept for bald tires?)

Rush

Origami posted by WRX Rush
...I can yank the ABS fuse and it will disable ABS and when I replace it it will go back to normal right?
Pulling the 20 amp fuse in the #8 slot (ABS solenoid) disables the ABS. The ABS lamp will come on and stay on when the ignition is ON. System is activated again only after replacing fuse and cycling ignition. The ABS lamp will then go out. No ill effects as far as I can tell. The alternative is to wire in a switch. I think there are two different fuses that can be pulled but I can't recall the details.

Even though I think the ABS calibration sucks on a WRX, I can't recommend disabling the system. There's too much that could go wrong in an emergency situation and everyone has different abilities when it comes to modulating the brake pedal. Insurance companies take a dim view of disabling ABS, regardless of how the system performs.

--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

What about vampire tapping the wire that comes out of the fuse box for that fuse. Just vampire tap and wire a toggle switch to go to the blank in the dash ? That seems like it would work to me. But I am not sure on the amperage and resistance that it would take to still activate and de-activate the ABS.

Morgan

it seemed like after i upgraded my brakes to the front brembo kit the abs flutter seemed to not happen as much.. but, is there no one out there re-calipbratig their abs?? it must be difficult, but has anyone heard of anyone doing this service? im so sick of having to slam on my brakes because im coasting through a stop sign cause there just happened to of been some potholes at the breaking point..

wow, im shocked there would be such an interest with disabling the ABS brakes. Ive hit fresh snow and gone right thru the intersection with the abs doing nothing to help but it seems to help with ice and at least once a week i have my ABS going off from beating someone to a turn. I give 2 thumbs up for ABS.

It is more of a dry weather thing. Wet weather ABS disabling is really overly dangerous because that is when ABS helps most, Ice, snow, wet.

Rush

I think it can help under braking in turns in slippery conditions, where normally you'd lose steering control.

--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

I think it can help under braking in turns in slippery conditions, where normally you'd lose steering control.

--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

It all depends on what you're doing.


If you're just cruising along, then ABS can be a good thing in slippery conditions. Sometimes.. personally I hate it. Hit a manhole cover in the rain while on the brakes and it engages ABS and that sucks.

If you're driving hard, then ABS can kill you. We went driving last night, a nice twisty little road, with more than it's fair sair of dirt and pine needles. Go diving into a corner and have ABS kick in and all of a sudden you've gone from predictable slide to almost no brakes and the resulting too much speed through the corner. If you're lucky you have mountain to the outside of the curve, if you're not you have cliff.

I love my ABS switch. :)

Mine is wire like someone already pointed out. I tapped into the 10 amp fuse, and put a switch on that. Works great. :)

I think the ABS are Only good when braking in a straight line!!!