ABS Control Module gone bad

Tiny
MIKE GARRETSON
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 CADILLAC ELDORADO
  • V8
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 107,000 MILES
I have the car listed above Coupe. The mechanic said the ABS Brake Control Module is bad, and they don't make them anymore. All of the aftermarket parts are gone. So, I'm down to taking the part I have off the car and sending it to a place that can rebuild the module, and then sending it back.
1. Could this be a sensor gone bad I'm not sure it's the module or if they checked the wheel sensors?
2. Who is a reputable company that can rebuild it? Should I just buy one from a salvage yard then send it to be rebuilt, or do I risk the purchased one not having the proper plug?
I'm almost 70, and I'm not a mechanic anymore. I would appreciate any help from this site. Thanks!
Thursday, June 2nd, 2022 AT 11:05 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
AL514
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,795 POSTS
Hello, why did the shop say it was bad? There must have been Diagnostic Trouble Codes stored in the ABS module, do you know what codes there were? There are a number of sensors that could have failed. On most ABS modules the hydraulic unit and the computer unit can be taken apart, so it really depends on what the failure is. You can also find a used unit somewhere from a used parts yard. If there is a wrecked vehicle the module won't need to be rebuilt. Just flushed out and cleaned. That's what I would recommend. I can see a new 1998 module not being available but a used one could be. There are also 4-wheel speed sensors, a Yaw Rate sensor, a Lateral Accelerometer sensor, a Steering Wheel position sensor, Brake switch. So, it can be any number of these sensors.
Did he give the codes on an invoice or receipt from his diagnosis?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/abs-warning-light-on-easy-repair-guide
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Thursday, June 2nd, 2022 AT 12:43 PM
Tiny
MIKE GARRETSON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The diagnostic tech found Codes C1261, C1262, C1267, C1268, C1272, C1273, and C1274. Recommends replacement of ABS Control Module#19244918.
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Thursday, June 2nd, 2022 AT 4:11 PM
Tiny
AL514
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,795 POSTS
Okay, did you happen to have an intermittent issue here, such as messages on the Driver Information display "Traction Engaged" and/or the ABS light coming on? And did he check the main connector or the wiring harness for the ABS module for corrosion? And did this happen all at once?
Just asking because this is a lot of codes to set. In a situation like this, I would think it's a major failure of the ABS module or there is a wiring harness issue.
I'm not saying it's not a failed ABS module, because it could be, but each one of these codes is a certain solenoid failure, so that's 7 solenoids that failed out of the 13 there are. There is only 1 Technical Service Bulletin for the ABS module on this vehicle, (posted below). It's possible to check the resistance of each solenoid and determine the reason for its failure. But it's tough to make a call on replacing the module without knowing what testing he did, and I wouldn't make such a deal of it if the module was available. So, if he did inspect the main connectors for the module and did the correct testing, I'd say replace the module. But of course, it will have to be a used one.
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Friday, June 3rd, 2022 AT 1:50 PM

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