Lets have a look as I diagnose the unwanted ABS activation on this 2002 Saturn SL Sedan. Pretty cool problem that is unique to the rust belt area. We also dig out the scope to have a closer look at the problem too.
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49 thoughts on “Saturn s series – unwanted abs activation at all speeds”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ronald Johnson says:

    ABS braking is the worst idea anyone ever thought about. Making a vehicle go can be played with, but stopping the vehicle should NEVER be complicated.

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jonathan Anfinson says:

    My ABS runs and makes noise and my engine not even running. How do i fix that?

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Peter Agurkis says:

    I know this video is 5 years old now but when I heard "snow tires on the front" I immediately had to drop my idiot opinion in the comment box. I think it's a common misconception that people think if you only have two snow tires you should put them on the front for what I assume is a front wheel drive, and in some regards they're right as your car will have better traction to get moving, but the problem comes when you are moving that if your rear tires have less traction than the front you're going to have a hell of a time keeping the back of the car behind you. I've always been of the school of thought your better tires should go on the rear.

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Guy Cripplecock says:

    Pull the fuse

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Robert Gary says:

    So funny you think a 2001 is old. And that was even 5 years ago!! Come to Cali where cars last forever.

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Best Clip Ever Misaq says:

    can you please let me know ABS code detail C0121, i don't have light on my dash yet but when i push my brake at stope sign a gridding noise will comes out from front wheels, so i changed all rotors, brake pad, wheel bearing, but still i have the same issue. so i used a tools to check the ABS and it is shows C0121 ABS code.
    do you think i should change my ABS pump and modular? 2007 Saturn Vue-
    thanks

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Gary Powell says:

    Yall must have real loose car inspection requirements, if you can get it passed with no abs and all the brake lights lit up like a christmas tree on the dash. I guess just tell the inspector that it's christmas where I come from and my car is just in the holiday spirit.

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jay Brooks says:

    I wouldn’t put money into a opel / saturn

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Cesar Acevedo says:

    Are you able to bay just the rings or have to get the CV Axles?

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Curtis Roberts says:

    Your scope capture look just like a crank sensor capture with those missing teeth! 🙂

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars chris kowalski says:

    I was hoping to see a fix on the tone ring…You can't just pull a fuse because it's tied into other things in the vehicle like the turn signal indicators…atleast it is on my truck…

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars chris kowalski says:

    Have the same problem with my 09 Ford ranger…I took it into my local shop and told me twice they could not hear the ABS engaging yet it did it constantly as it is in your vid so l ended up taking the service manager out for a drive to prove to him the issue…He did hear the problem so now lm watching your vid for some resolution of the problem…

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars terry harvey says:

    I have a 08 saturn outlook making a noise in the left front wheel. The sound stops after the ABS light comes on. Is that the same problem?

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Mike Chiodetti says:

    It's a wonder the pump only ran a short while with all that rust and damage on the tone ring! Cool Video!

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars MissAmazanda says:

    Man i have a 1999 saturn and it doesn't have nowhere near the rust under it this one does…

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Kinsey Madeline says:

    Omg I remember the first time my first car with ABS used its ABS! I shit my pants! Felt like the wheels were coming off, the brake rotors all warped at the same time, the crank broke in half and the prisoner in the trunk broke free.

    Okay so maybe I'm playin it up a bit, but damn it freaked me out.

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Andrew kirwin says:

    Another good learning lesson for us Eric 👍

  18. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Duncan Mac says:

    Rust never sleeps. Thanks for the video. I'd have done the same thing, pull the fuse and drive on…..

  19. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars NorthernUnion13 says:

    The rust is unreal.

  20. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Eremon1 says:

    Wow I just watched the '95 Bonneville video and now this one. I'd have guessed the cost of the diagnosis would have been more than each of the cars were worth. I'm thinking these videos were more for your YouTube audience than for the profit. Either way thanks for all your videos Eric.

  21. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Sam Max says:

    Hi Eric,you can make two number plates say "South Main Auto Repair" with magnet and stick them to the car that you work on, I think will be cool.

  22. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jack Shimano says:

    excellent diagnosis-giving customer a choice
    ABS a "frill" where decades ago ABS never existed but RUST always existed in rust belt

  23. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars URGENT! "Cory Barbee" YT ch.👀 says:

    i agree with the owners decision. abs is a gimmick selling point but only may become useful in winter if youre careless.

  24. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars VanSaucy says:

    Can you get the time ring for these cars or do you have to get a new CV axle?

  25. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Joe LOSEY says:

    this video was a good watch for me, because, i own a 1996 saturn sc-1. i believe this will be helpful to me in the future.

  26. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Alan Maier says:

    Funny thing about Saturns, with their plastic body – they look just fine. Then you look under it and wonder why it has not completely fallen apart and into a pile of rust. That car is not long for the crusher.

  27. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars anthony fym says:

    on the gm vehicles it shows 3 mph when stopped as the pid so just an FYI when I get the abs activation at almost stop I monitor the abs dump valves to see what wheel. but I'm sure you know that

  28. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Robert Brown says:

    not only do you know your stuff… you make it interesting to watch

  29. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bardia Ghajari says:

    I know people try to save a few bucks here and there, just no idea why they do it with brakes… abs is pretty good with all the snow you got out there, hopefully he doesnt hit anyone…

  30. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Phil H says:

    does that verus take the personality keys? I got the older one and want to update but not to the newest verus edge

  31. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars founditnow54 says:

    I'm a technician here in Pennsylvania and I thought the rust on our cars was bad, but good god it's like cancer for you poor fellas up there! Love your vids, always very informative and clear

  32. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars jdtractor man says:

    This was actually a quite common issue with 1999-2002 s-series for some reason. Don't know if the reluctor wheels were made with cheaper material or what.

  33. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Hawaiian F150 says:

    I dislike YT's reformatting my typing by a yard mile.  I can ruin my own typing without YT helping me screw it up.

  34. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Hawaiian F150 says:

    Eric –  I know this is an old vid but I got a couple questions. (1) Would a pulled fuse on the ABS show up during a vehicle safety check? (2)  Would you still have the ABS MIL illuminated on the instrument display panel with the fuse out?  (3) Do you check the code history on every vehicles that comes into the shop for a safety check?

  35. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Mr Freeze says:

    hi, do you have any experience with other scan tools? do you like snap on the best?

  36. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars MrMarkntime says:

    I can't believe the rust ya'll have up there, i was born and raised in Houston, Tx. and remember everything I worked on was so rusted too, If you lived right on the coast it was horrible. Don't miss them days at all, live in Fort Worth now…love it, things last forever here…my F-250 is a 2000 and completely rust free.

  37. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars nicholas elias says:

    The old 03 mercedes benz E320 4matics used to have a magnetic reluctor ring bonded to the driveaxle instead of a solid tone ring and if the magnetic ring disintegrated ( which it did) you have to replace the whole entire driveaxle which goes for only $1800 !!! Then they started to use reluctor rings impregnated into the bearing

  38. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars molsky13 says:

    would this pass a mot without abs, sorry not sure what your annual inspection is called in america

  39. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Geo Jor says:

    good one eric…

  40. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars e1casper says:

    I just discovered your channel a week ago great job your my new favorite

  41. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Acrobatic_Whale says:

    how is the verus holding up so far this time?

  42. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jeffrey Battousai Strader says:

    Saturn spelled backwards is GM JUNK

  43. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars webslinger2011 says:

    Thanks for the vid. Had a case on a Nissan Tiida. Both front tires felt like horses galloping above 60 km/hr. Wheels felt like brakes were hot and engaged. I haven't looked more into it though. A repair shop saw a leak on the abs module(as reported). Having seen your vid I'm wondering if tone rings were intact as well.

  44. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jeffrey Cardimen says:

    Good stuff. Very helpful.

  45. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Daniel Dietz says:

    thanks this video helped me get a better feel for the scope

  46. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars stchman says:

    Hopefully Eric billed the dillweed for his time diagnosing the problem.

  47. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars livalittle100 says:

    The guy has a point with the ABS life did exist before it. I just hope he doesn't get into an accident that ABS would have easily prevented.

  48. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Andrew W MacFadyen says:

    Worth mentioning apparent premature ABS activation on the front isn't always caused by an ABS fault, I have encountered a couple of cases where it was caused by the rear brakes working well below par and not transferring weight on to the front wheels.If only one wheel or diagonally opposite wheels are affected. it is worth. checking the road road springs for. broken coils.

  49. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars JD A says:

    Don't need no stankin' tone ring!

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