S_Mazza
Registered User
Hello,
The other day, on my way to work, my Thunderbird gave me an unpleasant surprise ... No brake assist! Fortunately, it happened while stopped at a light. So I made it to work and back with no crashes. The ABS and brake lights came on a little while before the assist gave out ... Now I know to STOP when that happens. I thought I would bend the firewall from pushing the pedal so hard. I eventually learned to stop more easily with a combination of firm, early pedal application, the handbrake, appropriate shifts into 3rd or neutral, and a LOT of planning ahead.
Anyway, I replaced the relay with no success. And then I found the troubleshooting guide on the 35th Anniversary site (www.35thatr.og). As it suggests, I checked for power at the harness plug that leads to the motor. I have two pins with 12V+ and two pins with ground. Just as I should. Yet the motor does not run.
If I understand this correctly, the motor must be stuck or burnt up. Do you SC sages agree with that?
Now, my next dilemma is how to get the ABS unit out of there. From what I see, the fluid reservoir is held in place by a roll pin on the side and a Torx screw underneath. I guess I remove those, then pull the reservoir up, then cut the hose leading to the pump. (Assuming it is time for a replacement anyway.) Then I suppose I engage in a frenzy of flare nut wrenching, to get all the various lines disconnected. Then there are 4 nuts or bolts under the dash. Is there anything I am missing? Are there any tricks to getting at the fasteners under the dash?
Then, once I have the unit out, does the motor just bolt on and off? And do I need new seals for it? Where can I get them?
I guess I will replace the pressure switch while I have it out. And I already mentioned the hose. Is there anything else that should receive maintenance while I have the unit out? (It seems to me like the ABS unit is more or less a black box, beyond the accumulator, pressure switch, and pump.)
THANKS in advance!
The other day, on my way to work, my Thunderbird gave me an unpleasant surprise ... No brake assist! Fortunately, it happened while stopped at a light. So I made it to work and back with no crashes. The ABS and brake lights came on a little while before the assist gave out ... Now I know to STOP when that happens. I thought I would bend the firewall from pushing the pedal so hard. I eventually learned to stop more easily with a combination of firm, early pedal application, the handbrake, appropriate shifts into 3rd or neutral, and a LOT of planning ahead.
Anyway, I replaced the relay with no success. And then I found the troubleshooting guide on the 35th Anniversary site (www.35thatr.og). As it suggests, I checked for power at the harness plug that leads to the motor. I have two pins with 12V+ and two pins with ground. Just as I should. Yet the motor does not run.
If I understand this correctly, the motor must be stuck or burnt up. Do you SC sages agree with that?
Now, my next dilemma is how to get the ABS unit out of there. From what I see, the fluid reservoir is held in place by a roll pin on the side and a Torx screw underneath. I guess I remove those, then pull the reservoir up, then cut the hose leading to the pump. (Assuming it is time for a replacement anyway.) Then I suppose I engage in a frenzy of flare nut wrenching, to get all the various lines disconnected. Then there are 4 nuts or bolts under the dash. Is there anything I am missing? Are there any tricks to getting at the fasteners under the dash?
Then, once I have the unit out, does the motor just bolt on and off? And do I need new seals for it? Where can I get them?
I guess I will replace the pressure switch while I have it out. And I already mentioned the hose. Is there anything else that should receive maintenance while I have the unit out? (It seems to me like the ABS unit is more or less a black box, beyond the accumulator, pressure switch, and pump.)
THANKS in advance!