I took my car this morning for a NYS inspection. There is this part of the inspection where the car is stationary, but they would drive your car at 55mph (on this ramp thing) to see how clean the exhaust is. Well, after the inspection, which the car passed, I notice the ABS light is on.
I was scared $hitless--and I said to the manager of the inspection station--what is up with that? I even turned the car off and restarted it, but the light was still on. I didn't notice this before. But he said to me that the light will go away. So, I drove off and in a few minutes, the light went out on its own.
I was just wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem, and if you guys know what triggers the ABS light to come on and for it to go off by itself?

thank you.

 

Each time you start your Maxima and drive off the ABS conducts a detailed
self-check. If it finds anything wrong the ABS computer stores a
Diagnostic Trouble Code and also lights the ABS dashboard warning light.

Self-diagnosis procedure.

1) Drive the vehicle over 19 mph for at least one minute.

2) Turn the ignition switch OFF.

3) Ground terminal 4 of the "Data Link Connector for CONSULT" with a
suitable jumper wire. This connector is found at the right hand edge of
the fuse block. The fuse block is located in the lower dashboard, behind a
pull-out panel near the driver's left knee. The Data Link Connector has
two vertical columns of contacts, with each row having seven contacts.
Terminals 1 - 7 are in the left hand column, with terminal 1 at the top.
Terminal 4 is the fourth from the top.

4) Turn the ignition switch ON with terminal 4 connected to ground. DO
NOT depress the brake pedal.

5) After 3 seconds the ABS warning lamp will flash out the stored
Diagnostic Trouble Code.

6) Turn the ignition switch OFF.

7) Disconnect the grounding wire from terminal 4.

8) Make repairs to the brake system as required.


ABS Diagnostic Trouble Codes are two-digit numbers. The readout consists
of a series of long flashes followed by a series of short flashes. The
long flashes have a duration of 0.6 seconds and indicate the first digit of
the DTC. The short flashes have a duration of 0.3 seconds and indicate the
second digit of the DTC. DTC 12 means "No problems detected".

See Chilton (page 9-17,18) or Haynes (pages 9-3,4).

 

Your ABS systems was confused. 2 of your tires were moving at 55 mph, the other 2 were standing still. This is a situation where the ABS has no idea how to deal with, so it panics and turns on the light. The ABS system probably thought that your 2 rear sesnors were damaged. Once your rear tires started rolling again, the ABS "sensed" the sensors again and turned off the light. Same thing happened to me at NYS inspection

DW

 

Dan, thanks for the directions, I will do a DTC just to make sure --but it probably won't be for a week or so. I'll post the results...that is if it is not "12."

thank you.

Brian

 

Dwapenyi,

thanks for the word. It is comforting to know that you have had the same problem with the inspections. Usually my dad takes the car for the inspections, so this was my first encounter with the ABS light. I was pretty scared when I saw the light on. Btw, I see that your car is 98--so possibly, you could have had it inspected more than once. And if you have, did the ABS light turn on each time after the inspection? I was just curious...but it is also nice to know the Maxima's computer is smart enough to know that the wheels were moving and the light went out.
*whewww* that was a close one.

 

I just took my 99' SE to inspection on Friday. My ABS light went on shorty after but after I turned the car off, waited 2 minutes, then turned it back on again the light went off, never to be seen again.