Everytime i step on the brakes *downhill mostly* they skip alot. Anyone know what the problem is? I took it to a garage and they just bled the brakes and it stopped for about a week, but started again. They said its a problem with the ecu telling the antilock brakes to skip in, and they said it will cost $400, but alot of mechanics at my work say it sound like theyre cheating me. Anyone have any experience with this problem? I'm looking at other places next week but i want to know a little more.

how exactly do the brakes "skip" ? I've seen brakes, grind, squeek, pulsate, have a squishy pedal, have to firm or a pedal, rattle, smoke, ect... but I've never heard of them skipping

One of the sensors may be going bad. Most likely you have a sensor connection that is dirty and has bad contact (possibly damaged wiring too). The ABS unit is probably not bad, although it's possible.

Darkstars wrote:how exactly do the brakes "skip" ? I've seen brakes, grind, squeek, pulsate, have a squishy pedal, have to firm or a pedal, rattle, smoke, ect... but I've never heard of them skipping

I think it's safe to assume he means the repeated "chunk-chuck-chunk-chunk" of the ABS brakes when wheel slip is detected, especially when he goes on to say that he's been told it's a problem with the ABS brakes.

If this is happening when you aren't "standing on" the brakes, It definitely could be a sensor problem. Mind you, it doesn't take much to get ABS action on these cars, since even moderate braking takes most of the weight off the rear tires. Just slowing while decending a hill shouldn't do it though.



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How are your pads? Do they look glazed over?

I'd also check the wiring for the abs sensor, and make sure it's not damaged. Cleaning the sensor may cure it too.

I haven't replaced a ABS sensor recently, and can't remember if it uses electrical conductive grease, or if it's supposed to be clean at the plug...