1990 camry antilock problems

[bingroy]

forum members,

i have a 1990 camry, recently purchased for around 1400 dollars, decent condition.

the antilock brakes somehow have turned on (the "antilock " is blinking. how do you suggest i turn it off/ reset it.? the manual mentions taking the car to the dealership. i called up and they said they would charge 100 bucks just to diagnose the problem!!!!

help is greatly appreciated.

thanks,

leroy

[toyomoho]

There is supposed to be a check connector on the actuator, location is front passengers side corner of engine compartment. The connector is in front (radiator side) of the actuator. This an electrical plug and socket with maybe for wires.

If you turn the ign switch on and disconnect the cable the ABS light should start blinking after about 4 seconds. If a code is stored, the light will flash out two series of blinks. One for each number of a two number code such as 1 blink 1 blink is code 11.

Watch the light and count the blinks, there will be a 1.5 second pause between the first and second number.

If more then one code, there will be a 2.5 sec pause between the last digit of the first code and first digit of the next. Such as 1 blink 1 blink for 11 (then 2.5 sec pause then) 2 blinks 4 blinks for 24.

If this is the last code there will be a 4 sec pause and the process will start over again.

If the light blinks 2 times per second no codes are stored.

To clear any codes, turn ign on, disconnect plug, step on brake 8 times within 3 seconds. Or remove the battery cable.

[TBayToyotaBoy]

Or you could just remove the ABS bulb from the guage pod and be done with it...a good driver is worth a thousand ABS computers.

[bingroy]

thank you for the replies......i really appreciate the effort.

" Or you could just remove the ABS bulb from the guage pod and be done with it...a good driver is worth a thousand ABS computers."

actually i have trouble steering the car, hence was thinking of getting it fixed. but i will give tis a shot. i live in texas, hence i doubt i will really need the ABS....

could you please give me bit more directions how to do what you suggest? will try googling but suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

thanks

leroy

[medbill]

The ABS light is on in my new to me beat up but running great 92 Camry LE. My mechanic said you drove a car without ABS for years what makes you think you can't drive it now. Guess he figures its not worth getting repaired or diagnosed?

My car looks like hell but only has 89k miles on it. Nothing MAACO can't take care of for a few hundred bucks. I am doing all the other work myself.

[bingroy]

thank you so much for the replies. you guys definitely saved me a bunch of dollars.

One of my 'knowledgable' friends took a look and said that at least a part of the problem lies with the brake fluid draining out. When I poked around further, both the brake fluid and power steering fluids seemed to have drained out. Any ideas as to how to identify the possible leak and get it fixed? Can this be even fixed without a mechanic.

regards
leroy

[TBayToyotaBoy]

Leroy, you can fix both of your leaks without a mechanic as long as a) you have time and patience at your disposal, and b) you are mechanically inclined.

If both reservoirs are leaking out, then you have leaks in the lines somewhere. With the brake fluid, this will likely mean that your brake pedal gets spongy (air gets sucked into the lines and the fluid cannot act hydraulically anymore). The car is definitely not safe if you have a brake fluid leak...

Get under the car and look for obvious signs of leakage; if you cannot actually see the break then get a friend to press on the brake pedal while you look under the car...you should see the fluid piss-out.

Once you've located the leak, simply replace that section of line.