ABS stuttering problemv

JWALKER91

MEMBER
1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC

I have a 1995 Chevy Cavalier with an automatic transmission. It has ABS brakes, and they stutter when the car is "cold". And sometimes when it is not. I've had it to the mechanic twice, and the first time, he couldn't find anything wrong. The second time, I had him keep it overnight, so that I KNEW he would be sure to see the problem. He did, but the only thing he could see was that the rear brakes needed adjustment. He did that, and the brakes then worked fine. Until the next day. Then the stutter came back, as bad as it ever was. It is frustrating, as the stuttering can sometimes leave you out in the middle of an intersection (my husband more often than me, since I plan ahead, but you get the drift). Any suggestions of what could be the cause?

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

When you say stutter, do you mean the ABS is actuating?

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Wednesday, November 24th, 2010 AT 3:23 AM

JWALKER91

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Well, I don't really know. See, the brakes usually work, but I got the impression that when the ABS part works it's supposed to pump the brakes so fast that you don't notice it doing so. This stuttering thing is like when a person stutters and can't quite get out what they are trying to say. (I have a friend who stutters and it drives him crazy. I just tell him to calm down and take his time.) The problem happens under normal braking conditions, not emergency conditions where you would expect the ABS to kick in to keep you from skidding and losing control. Very frustrating! Especially since my mechanic can't find anything wrong!

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Thursday, November 25th, 2010 AT 12:53 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Either you have a bad brake booster (would make the brake pedal hard to push but shouldn't cause a studdering) or you have an ABS sensor that thinks one of the wheels is locking up and actuating the ABS.

I need you to check the sensors. There is one at each wheel. Make sure none of the wiring to them is skinned or damaged. Also, make sure the stator is clean and not covered in grease or dirt.

Let me know what you find. Also, 't if it is an ABS problem, when actuated, it doesn't matter how hard you push on the brakes. You won't stop faster. If it is the brake booster, the pedal will be stiff, but the harder you push, the quicker you should stop.

Let me know what you find.

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Thursday, November 25th, 2010 AT 6:54 AM

JWALKER91

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I talked to my mechanic, and he said that all that was fine. Which is part of why it's so confusing. The only thing his computer system recommended was new pads and shoes on the rear, since they are 40% worn down. But what *I* don't understand is why the brakes should stutter like they do. I have NEVER, in 34 years of driving, seen ANY brakes act like this before, ABS or standard brakes, not even power disc brakes. I've even see brakes fail (hydrolic failure) and it was nothing like this.

Jackie Walker

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Monday, December 6th, 2010 AT 2:58 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

If you are getting that, it tells me the ABS is kicking in. Have your mechanic check the sensors to each wheel. Have him make sure none of the wiring is damaged and that the stator is not covered in dirt.

Let me know what you find. Also, needing brakes will not cause this. If he can't located the problem in the ABS, I feel you should see a different mechanic. Also, there is no trouble code that indicates you need new brake pads. So as far as that, he has me confused.