Can I revert from ABS to non ABS

sprintmaker · Aug 31, 2009

Bought a 96 V8 Disco on ebay and it failed MOT because there was no ABS light. Some nice person has taken the bulb out of the dash and when I refitted it the light stays on.
If I can't fixt the problem at a reasonable cost can I convert it to non ABS brakes and do I need to change the master cylinder. I have a complete disco for spares.
Mark

mrnice · Aug 31, 2009

you can take the fuse out to disable the ABS, you could wire your ABS light to your oil light instead, itll still come on and would fool the casual MOTer but not one familiar with the Discovery ABS blink sequence. Or you could just get a dodgy MOT. you shouldnt but its up to you.

mrnice · Aug 31, 2009

or you could fix the ABS..........good luck

sprintmaker · Aug 31, 2009

Thanks,

MOT inspectors in Northern Ireland are sharp cookies and the test is very strict at government run centres.

Getting the lend of a Landrover diagnostics unit tomorrow to see if I can track the fault.
Hopefully it is only a wheel sensor.

Fitted a Double S Stainless steel sports utility exhaust system which has a mean roar but would give you ear ach at 40 to 60 mph so might go back to standard.

PASTMASTER · Aug 31, 2009

I think the main problem would be your insurance - if you disconnect the ABS you've modified it, and I suspect the insurance would NOT be happy. That said, how would they find out?
Otherwise surely someone would have marketed a mod by now - no-one but an idiot needs ABS and the sensors seem to play up constantly. At least it should be easier to fix on a D1.

Richard Martin · Aug 31, 2009

I'm not certain, but I think if the car had ABS as standard then it needs to be there and working to pass the MOT.

To quote from the manual....This ABS inspection applies to all systems fitted as 'standard'....
Then it says...Missing components
Where a vehicle is presented for test with an ABS component obviously missing but, follows the correct sequence of operation, the defect must be brought to the attention of the presenter.
but, it then says....
If the vehicle is fitted with an anti-lock braking system, check that

a. a warning lamp is fitted
b. the lamp illuminates
c. the lamp follows the correct sequence of operation
d. does not indicate a fault.

Well, if you've removed yours its not fitted, so they can't check it so they can't fail it....

Are there any MOT testers here who can advise?

karlo · Sep 1, 2009

This worked on a a 95 Disco (mine) and a 97 Disco (Dave's), the wires in both plugs are a green with red trace and either of the 2 black wires (both earth). The relay is under the glove box in a tray with lots of others, there is a 13mm nut at the front of the tray which then drops down, the relay for the abs is green (there are 2 green relays under there on the left of the tray) mine was the 2nd relay back tho' Dave's was at the front of the tray, I think some one had changed his around.

Both faults turned out to be air gap too large, N/S/F on mine and O/S/F on Dave's, just took the sensor's out gave them a wipe and put them back with a tap to make sure they were seated back on with the wheels and as soon as 5 mph was reached both lights went out.

If you click the thumb nail it will enlarge then click the pic to enlarge it again.

I picked this up on the web somewhere, Its not written by me and although it worked on ours you use these instructions entirely at your own risk.

sprintmaker · Sep 1, 2009

Thanks Guys,

I will give this "Blink" method a try when I get a chance, hopefully this weekend if it's not raining and raining and raining!!!

Maybe I should buy one of those giant army tents which you can put a Landy in to keep me dry but don't think the neighbours would be too happy.

Will let you know how I get on.

If anyone has a difinitive answer on the Going back to standard brakes versus the MOT man please let me know.

mjltigger · Sep 1, 2009

blink method worked for me too .. until I got a code that wasn't in the lists.. replaced one of my sensors for about £80 or so.. worth doing as ABS is useful on these things because of how heavy they are..

to remove the abs you would have to replace loads of brake parts.. can't see how it would be any cheaper than fising the abs personally..

slither22 · Sep 2, 2009

mine was playing up when i bought my disco took to garage and the gap was to big they sorted it out and no problems since but far as i have been made aware if the veichle left the factory with abs it will need it for mot but some mot testers wern't to pleased when i asked about decatting and the mot it makes it abit uncerten when some stuff is left to there interpritation of the mot rules

mrnice · Sep 2, 2009

if its on when it came out the factory its gotta be on and working for an MOT, even if you got rid of the bulb the ABS modulator is still sitting there in plain view when you open the bonnet.

howardo · Sep 2, 2009

When the ABS failed on one of my cars and it failed the mot I asked if I could just remove all the ABS gubbins and bring it back for a retest. I was told that this is not allowed, if the vehicle is specified to have ABS then it must have it when presented for testing.

Can I revert from ABS to non ABS

sprintmaker

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