Tech Tips

Use this comprehensive information library whenever you need helpful hints from car repair professionals. Whether you are a professional or a DIY mechanic, you’re sure to find the tips you need to insure a job well done. Click here to go back to the previous page any time during your search.

Honda

ABS Will Not Pressurize Even After Bleeding - 1994 Honda Accord

We occasionally hear of a stubborn '94 Accord ABS modulator that still won't build pressure even after the system has been bled.  Unfortunately, we usually don't hear about it until after the modulator has been needlessly replaced.  Before you replace a modulator for this symptom, perform these extra steps.

1. Place one end of a piece of clear tubing onto the bleeder and the other end into a suitable container.
2. Connect a piece of 3/8 inch (10mm) O.D. hose to the pressure side of a hand-held vacuum pump.
3. Remove the gray rubber cap from the modulator reservoir.  Leave the plastic insert in the reservoir fill hole.
4. Start the engine.
5. Hold the other end of the vacuum pump hose against the reservoir fill hole insert, and pressurize the reservoir until you feel resistance in the vacuum pump.  (One to three strokes is usually enough.)
6. While the reservoir is pressurized, have an assistant turn off the engine, and open the bleeder (slowly) until the brake fluid stops running in the tube.  Close the bleeder.
7. Repeat steps 4 through 6 five times to completely purge the air pocket from the modulator.
8. If you still have a code in the ABS control unit memory, clear it by removing the 15A ABS fuse for three seconds.

Source:  Mechanical Messenger, Aug/Sept 1995, Technical Service Bulletin #10297

Go back