Shifting while ABS is working
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Shifting while ABS is working
I just had an interesting day of driving from boston to NH and back. And I noticed a few things about my WRX's ABS brakes.
1. Is it just me or are they really sensitive?
2. When they are working, is it supposed to sound like I'm grinding gears?
3. Am I supposed to be able to shift (downshift) while the ABS is working?
Cuz when I try to downshift while they are working, my car just spits the gear back out (after grinding on it for a sec) as if I wasn't using the clutch.
Thanks for the help.
1. Is it just me or are they really sensitive?
2. When they are working, is it supposed to sound like I'm grinding gears?
3. Am I supposed to be able to shift (downshift) while the ABS is working?
Cuz when I try to downshift while they are working, my car just spits the gear back out (after grinding on it for a sec) as if I wasn't using the clutch.
Thanks for the help.
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From: Mann Engineering, Santa Clara, CA
Car Info: 13BRZ, 11FXT, 08T25, 07STI, 02WRX
Yes the ABS system on the Subaru's is really sensitive. That is why a lot of people have switches in their car to turn the ABS system off. As for it sounding like grinding gears, I dunno, I have never been in a situation in which I had triggered ABS. And you should be able to downshift, I would not see why not?
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From: Sacramento CA
Car Info: 02 Impreza WRX sedan
Originally posted by MashiMOMO
1. Is it just me or are they really sensitive?
1. Is it just me or are they really sensitive?
See this thread for ABS on/off switch, but do this mod at your own risk. For now, I have elected to pull the fuse and keep it handy. At first, the lit ABS dash indicator was distracting, but I don't even notice it now. Braking in the dry and the wet, at least in a straight line, are easily modulated by me.
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thanks for the info so far, and I've read all the ABS removal threads prior to starting this one.
but my main concern is that I cannot shift (up or down) while the ABS is working. It just grinds my gear then spits it out.
Anyone else had this happen before?
but my main concern is that I cannot shift (up or down) while the ABS is working. It just grinds my gear then spits it out.
Anyone else had this happen before?
I just did an auto-x today and I think that this happened to me once, I thought I missed the clutch or shifted too fast or something. But it might be related to what happened to you.
Steve
Steve
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nope, no heel toeing... i'm not doing anything crazy...
I'm not trying to shift into first while going faster than i should. Subaru said that's probably what i'm doing... which of course is wrong.
it just doesn't like to go into gear when abs is working.
I'll just head up to a suby dealer and have them check it out...
i hate parting with my car.
I'm not trying to shift into first while going faster than i should. Subaru said that's probably what i'm doing... which of course is wrong.
it just doesn't like to go into gear when abs is working.
I'll just head up to a suby dealer and have them check it out...
i hate parting with my car.
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MY last subie was a 01' RS and I experienced the exact same thing you are momo. I did a lot of slipping and sliding in these Buffalo winters and when I tried to down shift while the ABS was going it would grind and and spit the gear back at me. I havn't had the pleasure to drive my WRX in the snow yet but I am excpecting the same thing. I guess it's normal. Sucks, but normal.
correct me if I am wrong. but I don't think you not able to shift into gear has to do with ABS. And most likely it's not really your gears grinding, it's your synchor. If you have been slapping gear, your synchor could be going out. And it become VERY sensitive (grinds easily) when shift especially if you don't rev match. try heel-toe next time and see if the problem is still there. Good luck!
btw, I believe the ECU learns how your drive and activate ABS accordingly. I remember after I reset everything in my car (tranny work) my ABS was extra sensitive. But after about a week or so, it's no longer like that. 
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Have any of you experienced this: Hard braking at any speed one or both front brakes lock up and then the ABS kicks in and you loose most of your braking? We've had this happen to our 02WRX three times...the first time my wife tried to downshift and could NOT! She spun out on the free way at 65 mph but luckily she held on to it untill it came back around and was able to downshift after letting off the brakes. We had the car checked but could find nothing wrong. The second time it happened to me..the right front locked up and then NO brakes! No incedent..just scared the crap out of me! The third was Monday afternoon on Ventura freeway in stop and go traffic at ~15 to 25 mph my wife goes to brake in slowing traffic behind me, she felt normal braking, then the right front locked up then NO brakes! She rear ended me doing about 5 mph!