$2000 to replace ABS control module???

[PCM84]

I've taken my 86 560sl into have an ABS problem checked out: the ABS light on the dash is constantly on. They're telling me that it will cost $2000 to replace the ABS control module... does this seem right? They're saying the part is $1700.00

[Dynamo]

I had a similar problem with my '85 380 SL. When I first purchased it the ABS light on my dash was constantly on. My mechanic found the problem was some faulty speed indicators in the wheels (I know that is not the proper term for the part but it is the only discription I can think of.)

It cost me about $125 for them to test out each of them and then another $300 in part costs to replace them (They were already doing alot of work under my car so they installed them free of charge).

I can go home and look up the work description to give you the proper name of the part they replaced if you'd lik.

[tan man]

my abs light goes on every 3-4 engine start ups. i was told to clean the positive battery cable and also clean the contacts to the abs unit. try that first, it is cheap fix if it works.

[tecqboy]

Some guys always seem to want to change out the controller before checking out other less expensive possible causes. It is quite possible that the problem is the sensors or the tone wheels. The tone wheels get very rusty over time; the valleys fill in with rust and they don't generate a good signal. The tone wheels are located behind the brakes on the axles and look like a large toothed gear that is not engaged to anything. Somewhere near the tone wheel is a sensor. It's just a coil of wire in a plastic shell with one end spaced about 1/8 inch away from the tone wheel. If the tone wheel is a pile of rust, it is possible to clean it up with a small pick or file. Just pry or scrape off all the loose rust. Also clean any rust off the end of the sensor; which may be slightly magnetic. You can check the continuity of the sensor with an ohm meter. Also clean the connection where the sensor plugs into the wiring harness. If the tone wheels are clean and the sensors check for continuity, then think about the controller or the pump motor. Did I mention to check ALL the fuses?

[chaswhite]

My 87 560sl was stolen and later recovered pretty much intact. I took it to a dealer for the repairs from the theft and while at the dealer, they were able to get the light off. The only item they replaced was the OVP (overload protection) valve/switch. The fuse on the top of it wasn't blown so you could not tell it was bad. No light, no more. I don't know what that one piece cost, as the insurance company paid $750 for all mechanical repairs directly. Installation is just plug and play.

It's worth a try. Beats $2,000!

[Strife]

Although this may be traumatic to ask of you, did the theft just happen? How? I have an '86 and it seems pretty theft-resistant.

[chaswhite]

Actually the 560 was not the thief's target. He and two other thiefs had just robbed a liquor store a couple of miles from my country home. After a chase, the police were able to capture two of them when a tire blew out on the thief's car. The third got away on foot running through the woods. The police gave up looking for him after a 5 hour hunt in a cold driving rain. Two days later, still raining, we came home from work and found our house had been broken into EVERYTHING of value was gone (including dry clothing but, leaving wet stinking ones in their place). I immediately went to the garage and discovered my Firebird conv. (new last production year 2002) was still there but, the 560 was not to be found. The thief took the spare key I had put up and simply drove off packed with goodies. It was found a week later abandoned, radio stripped, my red dot key missing, paint scratched, one wiper pulled around sitting on the hood/air vent. All in all, it could have been worse. I didn't expect to see it again, especially in one piece. An expensive $5,000, 30 mile trip for him.

I realize this is more than you asked for but, to see the car and what could have been, it's pleasant.