How do I “electrically” disable ASB on 2001 Dodge Caravan?

Your ABS relies on speed sensors that constantly measure the rotational speed of all wheels to see if any of them are locking up. Throwing a switch in between one of them and your ABS module might do the trick. The ABS module will go into sleep mode if it's not getting a signal from one of the wheel sensor.

Note, you will lose any traction control (if you have it) with this since ABS and traction usually go off of the same module and signals.

BTW, why are you looking to switch off the ABS?

If it uses power on a modern auto, it has circuit overload protection. Pull the fuse.

Why do you need to disable your anti-lock brake feature? You are probably a better driver than Mario Andertti, but what do you think you can do with the two right wheels in a puddle on a curve when you need a panic stop?

In 1988 We upgraded the anti-lock brake system on one truck. After the upgrade was complete, the factory tech took the truck out for a test run. After a few warm up runs, he took the 46,000 pound water filled truck up to 50 MPH, with 2 wheels on the grass, and 2 wheels on dry hot asphalt. Then he just stood up on the brake pedal. It stopped straight and without any pulling, or steering corrections. Do you want to try this test?

6 months ago I replaced brake pads and rotors, on the front, that were bad.

3 mouths later, I replaced the brake shoes and drums on the rear, which were bad.

1 month after changing the rear brake stuff, the ABS dummy light would come and go while driving then just stopped. Had no physical problem with the van.

Another month passed without any ABS light showing, when I started hearing metal-to-metal sound on the front when braking. This time I replaced the brake pad, rotor, and calipers.

Vary shortly after that without any ABS light and, yes the lamp does work, the van start shimmying violently at times as though the brakes were pulsating.

Last week I inspected the ABS feedback system coming from each tire, which appears visually to be in working order. That's when I asked for help from you guys. Thank you very much.

Here's where I'm at now. I pulled the fuse on the ABS system and took a 20min drive on a stretch of road where I could get a speed of 55 mph for a period of time. After about 10min I started feeling the shimmying/pulsing start. At about 45mph is where it's gets violent. 10mph over or under I get less shim/pulse.

Summary:

When it shims/pulses I feel vary little wobble in the steering wheel.

The tires are about a year old, in excellent condition.

I have to agree with rpibmwdriver. Plus I would want to check the ball joints and steering components.

"Another month passed without any ABS light showing, when I started hearing metal-to-metal sound on the front when braking. This time I replaced the brake pad, rotor, and calipers."

Have you asked yourself why you wore through a set of brake pads in 2 months?

If the ABS brake fuse was not in place, what do you think would have caused the shaking. Without electrical power to the ABS controller, it can not pump the brake. The "feedback system" is nothing but speed sensors that count the vanes on the rotating rotor. They may give false readings when covered with metal filings from worn brake pads or rotors. Another possibility is the air gap was changed when the brake components were installed.

You need to have a COMPETENT mechanic inspect this before you become injured.

This might seem sort of silly, but have you looked at your suspension, particulary the front control arms/bushings?

Thanks again for feedback.

Today I thought I'd try rotating the tires from front to rear. I've heard of broken belts in tire will cause miss leading symptom of problem. Upon removing the rear tire, drive side, I was unable to spin the tire freely. This was after the van sat for 8hrs, woo, another clue. First thing I checked was parking brake applied. No human error there.

A tire with a broken belt is usually easy to spot by rotating the tire by hand and watching the tread. If the tread does not run in a straight line, bad cord or belt.

A leaking wheel cylinder will give a very jerky , grabbing action until the lining material is so saturated that the friction drops way off.

It may be possible, if the van has rear drum brakes, to install the self adjusting system on the wrong side of the van, or on the wrong brake shoe. If that has happened, the brakes will try to adjust themselves when you are driving forward. This could be your problem. Could.

I like the direction you are going now much better. How can I help?

This might be a wheel bearing also.

Yes, very true.

Again, thank you for all your responses.

The van is being checked out by a licenses mechanic, a friend of my brother-in-law, who works for a dodge dealer. I will kind you informed on prognosis.

Regards,

sounds good, i think that's the right choice.

keep us posted

Okay,

The problem was the driver's rear auto adjust brake spring to cylinder fell off. How… Don't know for sure. But, it could have been the time I hit a rain filled pothole that would have swallowed the van hadn't been my quick response like Indiana Jones dealing with that bolder in the cave. Something a like that.

Moral of the story about disabling the ABS system was this.

Being an Electronics Engineer know, who grow up the better half of my life (or use to be) above an auto garage in a small town were I learned my mechanical skills, I've developed this system of cutting problems in halves. What I neglected to mention in above string was disabling the ABS system was strictly for troubleshoot purpose only.

If reflect back at this, isn't it entrusting to note that after 10min drive time at 55mph the van started pulsating. At 45mph must have been the resonant frequency a whole host of physics. We're talking kinetic energy, friction, time-of-day, weight, wind, and weather. There some much to learn so little time.

I want to thank you for taking the time to help me with this problem.

PS only cost me $20.00, apparently he approved of my brake job.

Regards,

There are some regulations that forbid you from replying AFTER the problem is solved.

No one is supposed to find out what the cure was. You may have slipped past the radar that stops these replies, but you should be warned.

Thanks for replying. Glad it went that well.

I don't understand, why is that? I thought that's what this forum is all about. Helping each other solve problems.

I was being very sarcastic. Most of the time the people at this forum never hear back as to what resolved the problem. You have been a pleasant exception to the norm. Thank you for courtesy.