Only ABS is out?

Leinzey · September 24, 2008, 05:24:41 PM

Hey all,

I'm looking to get myself into a TGP and think I've found one that's just about perfect. The car is in GREAT shape, hardly a crease in the leather and the paint shines like it's 10 years younger, plus it only has 93k and has all three options (leather, sunroof, CD), but it has a couple problems. The valence is gone, which is alright since it'll lower my initial cost and get the price way down ;), and ABS is out.

It's about 200 miles away, so I haven't been able to check it out in person yet, but the seller is saying that ABS doesn't work, but that the brakes function just fine. Does that mean the PMIII is up for imminent failure or can they function this way for a long time? I know Prior has now stopped doing remans on the PMIII, so it's either vacuum brakes or you're SOL, right? Is it possible for the ABS to go out without having a more catastrophic brake failure imminent?

Thanks!

TGP Nick · September 24, 2008, 08:04:38 PM

Yes, it could very well be something as simple as a bad wheel speed sensor. Just one bad sensor will disable ABS. Did he say whether the ANTILOCK light is on steady or just flashing?

Leinzey · October 01, 2008, 08:31:04 PM

The owner is saying that the ABS light does come on when the car is started, but that it doesn't always stay on. When it does, though, it is not flashing, but stays lit.

That give any more clues as to what might be wrong?

cobracmdr · October 01, 2008, 08:34:23 PM

the powermaster is up to it's old tricks, does it only come on when the pedal is pushed? can you hear the motor running when you push the pedal? How many pushes does it take? It should only take 2-3 pushes for the motor to start charging the master, any less and you have a problem either the accumulator is bad or the pressure switch or the pressure plate or nose piece or the actual master cylinder. Call up prior remanufacturing in texas they are the only people who rebuild these damn things. Have your check book waiting and be sitting down.

Ken

addicted2bass · October 05, 2008, 03:32:08 PM

Prior is still rebuilding units but ONLY IF the pressure switch is till good because there are no pressure switches available anymore. Trust me i looked everywhere! Your only other options are finding a used one, and they can get pretty expensive for a unit that may or may not work and come with at best a 30 day warranty. There are still new units available ranging in price from $1100 to over $2000 plus core deposit.

jimmy · October 05, 2008, 07:12:28 PM

compared to video from motorweek that would almost be worth it to me :icon_neutral:

but even when I had mine ship to prior and back into the car it still didn't work like that video, Ill be looking into that when I get it back from bodyshop

cobracmdr · October 05, 2008, 07:39:33 PM

Sounds about right, and to think I found a car at the yard with 80k on it and the PMIII looked brand new.....only I did not have enough cash on me to get it, I pulled it and stashed it in the trunk of a another car, when I came back a month later it was gone........

jimmy · October 05, 2008, 07:53:40 PM

:icon_eek: damn I would have been pissed :icon_evil:

cobracmdr · October 14, 2008, 01:04:48 PM

I was but I know I will find another one, everytime I go I find a PMIII, last one I bought and sold for a handsome profit ;)

Ken

mfewtrail · October 14, 2008, 11:41:02 PM

Quote from: cobracmdr on October 14, 2008, 01:04:48 PM
I was but I know I will find another one, everytime I go I find a PMIII, last one I bought and sold for a handsome profit ;)

Ken

I haven't seen a PMIII car in a junkyard here in a long time, and my yards have a ton of older w-bodies. If I come across any, I will be buying them though. I often find a lot of spare parts to stockpile for myself. ;)