[wmf246]

I understand the pros of ABS braking, but is it possible to totally remove the entire ABS system and not have all the ‘nanny’ lights?

forum wisdom says the back end module has somehow gone bad just sitting…. again I have been told that simply swapping out modules may solve the problem, so I have gotten a ‘new to me’ replacement from Hoosier GPS but have hot changed it out because of being lazy and the winter weather (even in Florida) and the daunting possibility of having to disconnect all the brake lines and have to cycle and bleed….

“IF” the swap works, GREAT; if not it could be a money pit

thoughts?

Bill

 

[RedOne07]

When you disable it don't forget to inform your loved ones and your insurance ;-)

 

[rob the elder]

The ABS is a key element of the stability control system. Also, if you have an 08 without the vacuum pump, the car uses the ABS system to power the brakes upon startup.

You are of course free to proceed as you wish, but I would never consider doing that.

Have you tried to make your existing ABS unit happy? Clean it well, lube what moves, clean the seals etc. It should not " go bad" sitting

 

[wmf246]

The ABS is a key element of the stability control system. Also, if you have an 08 without the vacuum pump, the car uses the ABS system to power the brakes upon startup.

You are of course free to proceed as you wish, but I would never consider doing that.

Have you tried to make your existing ABS unit happy? Clean it well, lube what moves, clean the seals etc. It should not " go bad" sitting

Rob, John
i fully agree and expected to get flamed as what I asked was just unacceptable but it explains my level of frustration; but there should be no good reason “I” can think of for a 09 n/a with 3300 miles on it to light up the dash like a Christmas tree saying the ABS is bad. (and it acts bad, hitting the brakes will stand it on its nose and lock up the tires)

if it has to go to a dealer for repair/ replacement I guesstimate the bill would be over $1k…

Bill

 

[JOHN HENRY HOLLIDAY]

If you do remove the ABS... please send us the video.... of you driving "spirited", and first time you require a panic stop
I will be getting my popcorn ready, for that one. <waiting>

 

[ducatiguy]

Legally can you even remove it? You could be opening up yourself to lawsuits in the worst case scenario

 

[billdaman]

Legally can you even remove it? You could be opening up yourself to lawsuits in the worst case scenario

The retired GM toolmaker who ordered the 7500 mile Solstice I just purchased figured out how to delete it back in 2006, literally. it is a well optioned Base vehicle without ABS.

This is no problem for me driving down the road on the summer and fall days. Any alert and skilled driver will be able to match the stopping distance performance of an ecu controlled system consisting of a hydraulic system with its braking pressure modulated by solenoid packs actuated based on inputs received from Wheel speed sensors.

No contest actually. Under the circumstances listed above, given my current reaction time and driving capabilities I am better performing stopping a vehicle than a Delphi or Bosch ABS Modulator and ECU.

On an ice covered roadway at highway speeds I lose. Wouldn’t want to drive this car under those circumstances anyway.

 

[rob the elder]

Rob, John
i fully agree and expected to get flamed as what I asked was just unacceptable but it explains my level of frustration; but there should be no good reason “I” can think of for a 09 n/a with 3300 miles on it to light up the dash like a Christmas tree saying the ABS is bad. (and it acts bad, hitting the brakes will stand it on its nose and lock up the tires)

if it has to go to a dealer for repair/ replacement I guesstimate the bill would be over $1k…

Bill

There was no flame there. Just information. Its up to you.

 

[JohnWR]

The retired GM toolmaker who ordered the 7500 mile Solstice I just purchased figured out how to delete it back in 2006, literally. it is a well optioned Base vehicle without ABS.

This is no problem for me driving down the road on the summer and fall days. Any alert and skilled driver will be able to match the stopping distance performance of an ecu controlled system consisting of a hydraulic system with its braking pressure modulated by solenoid packs actuated based on inputs received from Wheel speed sensors.

No contest actually. Under the circumstances listed above, given my current reaction time and driving capabilities I am better performing stopping a vehicle than a Delphi or Bosch ABS Modulator and ECU.

On an ice covered roadway at highway speeds I lose. Wouldn’t want to drive this car under those circumstances anyway.

ABS was an option (RPO JL9) in 2006, so it didn't take any particular effort to "delete" it, if you ordered the car.

I still think you are deluding yourself that you can outbrake ABS, but it really isn't worth debating.

 

[billdaman]

ABS was an option (RPO JL9) in 2006, so it didn't take any particular effort to "delete" it, if you ordered the car.

I still think you are deluding yourself that you can outbrake ABS, but it really isn't worth debating.

Haha I’m delusional, it never happened..your right John. My first 2006 had ABS, this one doesn’t. Guess based on my delusions I’m needing to be driving extra careful because it doesn’t have a modulator and ecu. BTW, the Company I work for is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of ABS braking systems, I do know a little.

 

[billdaman]

Haha I’m delusional, it never happened..your right John. My first 2006 had ABS, this one doesn’t. Guess based on my delusions I’m needing to be driving extra careful because it doesn’t have a modulator and ecu. BTW, the Company I work for is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of ABS braking systems, I do know a little.

There was no flame there. Just information. Its up to you.

Just the first test I stumbled on regarding the point, trained driver in a 4WD superior stopping distance W/O ABS. There are many more, not worth the time to view them all.

Its always been widely understood that ABS doesn’t stop a vehicle in a shorter distance with an experienced driver on dry road surfaces, rather its benefit in dry and all road conditions is the ability of ABS to allow the driver to maintain steering control in a panic stop, which is a huge benefit.

Wet road, icy road ABS always provides a shorter stopping distance regardless of driver experience.

 

[JohnWR]

Haha I’m delusional, it never happened..your right John. My first 2006 had ABS, this one doesn’t. Guess based on my delusions I’m needing to be driving extra careful because it doesn’t have a modulator and ecu. BTW, the Company I work for is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of ABS braking systems, I do know a little.

I didn't say anything about having to drive "extra careful".

 

[billdaman]

I didn't say anything about having to drive "extra careful".

I know, but I will. Distracted driving increases the need for ABS.😃

 

[JohnWR]

Just the first test I stumbled on regarding the point, trained driver in a 4WD superior stopping distance W/O ABS. There are many more, not worth the time to view them all.

Its always been widely understood that ABS doesn’t stop a vehicle in a shorter distance with an experienced driver on dry road surfaces, rather its benefit in dry and all road conditions is the ability of ABS to allow the driver to maintain steering control in a panic stop, which is a huge benefit.

Wet road, icy road ABS always provides a shorter stopping distance regardless of driver experience.
View attachment 128386

An interesting test. Flawed, but interesting.

 

[JohnWR]

I understand the pros of ABS braking, but is it possible to totally remove the entire ABS system and not have all the ‘nanny’ lights?

forum wisdom says the back end module has somehow gone bad just sitting…. again I have been told that simply swapping out modules may solve the problem, so I have gotten a ‘new to me’ replacement from Hoosier GPS but have hot changed it out because of being lazy and the winter weather (even in Florida) and the daunting possibility of having to disconnect all the brake lines and have to cycle and bleed….

“IF” the swap works, GREAT; if not it could be a money pit

thoughts?

Bill

Did you scan the car to determine the actual fault, or is replacing the module a "best guess"?

 

[RedOne07]

Any alert and skilled driver will be able to match the stopping distance performance of an ecu controlled system

Hahahahaha, perhaps maybe possibly maybe only when you are in a test environment and you expect it and are a professional driver.

But noway when in March 2025 you are driving back from Walmart and a kid suddenly crosses the street.

 

[shabby]

I removed a friends abs in a dsm(it cleaned up the engine bay and got in the way of the intercooler piping), we just removed the abs pump, reconnected the brake lines with some t-fittings and that's it... but that was a car from 1992.
But if you're lazy enough to not want to change the rear module and bleed the lines then you wont even bother with removing the abs pump.

 

[billdaman]

Hahahahaha, perhaps maybe possibly maybe only when you are in a test environment and you expect it and are a professional driver.

But noway when in March 2025 you are driving back from Walmart and a kid suddenly crosses the street.

So if we stay open minded, here’s a true and related story. I have a 2006 DTS which is a total garage queen with meticulous maintenance, great Conti contact tires and of course ABS (likely the same unit that would be in a 2006 Solstice).

Speed limit on my street is 25, I never exceed it. One day a kid in the biggest act of craziness I have experienced in 40+ years of driving stood at the curb, and as I was just about to go by him darted out in front of the car. Panic stop, 3 short skid marks left on the on the road

Closest Ive ever came to hitting a pedestrian. A really scary moment, unpredictable unexplainable, almost as if the kid was living out a video game. I will always remember that moment, and how the ABS reacted, stopping took longer than I liked, solenoids pulsing instead of balls of rubber ground into the road surface.

Under those exact circumstances, I will take locked tires and high coefficient of friction over a dumb ecu and solenoids actuating. I’m convinced it would have been the same or shorter stopping instance without ABS.

Again dry road conditions, I am not challenging beyond that, nor would the Solstice be driven in those condition. My point is it’s always going to come down to the “what ifs”. Sometimes better to have ABS, sometimes not.

 

[JohnWR]

I removed a friends abs in a dsm(it cleaned up the engine bay and got in the way of the intercooler piping), we just removed the abs pump, reconnected the brake lines with some t-fittings and that's it... but that was a car from 1992.
But if you're lazy enough to not want to change the rear module and bleed the lines then you wont even bother with removing the abs pump.

I suspect that Bill's thought ( hope? ) was that removing the system completely would improve the braking over the failed condition and would eliminate the fault light. Since replacement of the module is not a guaranteed cure I can see the reluctance to go through the effort for uncertain results.

 

[RedOne07]

....I will take locked tires and high coefficient of friction over a dumb ecu and ....

Locked tires will increase your stopping distance.