Followed the Helm's flowchart for testing the ABS system and the motor is dead. No noise when jumping the relay and voltages are good in the wiring. Don't know how long ago it stopped working since the ABS dash light has never lit up. No CEL either. I don't need the ABS for inspections or anything, I just like to have everything working properly. Is it possible to repair it? I haven't seen anything advertised on internet for rebuilding services or kits for DIY. Does anyone have a source for something like that? I've read that these early ABS units were notoriously fragile, so if I got it going again would it likely fail a few years from now? I've wrenched on this car plenty but I've never fiddled with something like this before.

 

I went through this about a year ago with my '97 2.2CL. Rather than try to tackle this project myself, I took it to an independent shop that specializes in Honda's. They were able to get the ABS working again after a couple attempts at replacing both the accumulator and modulator. Unfortunately there were no aftermarket or remanufactured versions of these parts on the market, so I was stuck taking a gamble on decades old parts from the salvage yard. Now it's just a question of when they will fail again.

It's nice knowing that my ABS system is working, but the truth of it is; these early versions of ABS weren't all that great to begin with. It was an expensive repair and in hindsight, I probably should have just saved the money and drove around with manual brakes.

 

How did you determine that the ABS motor had stopped? You did say you had followed the Helm's flowchart for testing, what is that? I have a 1998 Accord EX that the ABS indicator does not light up upon starting the car. Also, when I come to a stop on drive pavement, the brakes have a grinding/pulsating feel to it, which I believe indicates an issue with the ABS, but the ABS light does not come on.

 

That's what I was afraid of, it not being worth the effort.