ABS override switch

[srlbotanical]

This write up was buried in another post so I decided to clean it up and post it as a tech article. Spring is right around the corner which means that I will be back in the sand soon. The sand is where this switch really comes in handy.

And before anyone starts in with safety and all that crap, I personally like ABS when I am on the road. That's why its a switch!

Anyway here is my original write-up from 8-18-06...

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OK, This is how I did it. You will need the following parts:

• an appropriate toggle switch
• fuse taps
• an in-line automotive fuse holder
• spade connectors
• shrink tubing

1) find your ABS fuse (#18 in my 97 K1500)and pull it to test if your ABS shuts off and no other functions are compromised. My ABS light came on and the ABS was no longer active. I also drilled a small hole to run the wires through to the dash.


2) wire the fuse taps to tie in to each side of the space where you pulled the fuse. I had to carefully grind the fuse tap so it was a little thinner in order to get it to insert into the fuse panel. This is the fuse tap attached to the in-line fuse holder. I used a spade connector and then used shrink tubing to get a good tight fitting.


3) Connect the two fuse taps and wires to the empty ABS fuse slot and run them to the dash location where you want the toggle switch. I used a small piece of shrink tub to neatly hold the wires together.


4) Determine where you want your switch. Drill the appropriate size hole and mount the switch. (make sure the space behind the mount is clear of wires, etc.!)


This is what the switch looks like after being mounted.


5) feed the wires through to the switch, hook up your wires to the switch and put your dash back together.


6) the finished project!


The switch seems to work really well. Like a said before when the switch is off, My ABS light comes on and I can lock up all four wheels and slide to a stop on gravel. I am heading up to Silver lake with my family for a three day weekend at the end of August,
(next weekend!)I am looking forward to finally being able to turn OFF ABS when I am in the sand!

Steve

[GCncsuHD]

cool write up, need to do this to my 01 soon

[srlbotanical]

Update:

I have had this switch installed for about 8 months now and it has worked flawlessly. I have been up to silver lake three times since installation and drove all winter being able to play around with the switch and test it.

I don't know about the wiring on any other years, but on my 97 K1500 the 10amp abs fuse also shuts off the cruise control and it keeps my transmission torque converter from locking up. This is all actually pretty nice when I am off road. But, it just goes to show that you need to pull the fuse and play around with your vehicle for a little bit so you know exactly how this mod is going to affect you.

Steve

[JoeliusZ28]

this is a really good idea. I just pulled the fuse on my truck because I couldnt stand the ABS. I swear the fuse i pulled was much larger than just a 10 amp though and probably came from under the hood. My cruise and torque converter lockup still work fine, but the ABS light is on and i can actually stop now. (ABS no longer works) I like ABS too but IMO its garbage on these trucks. it kicks the pedal back prematurely and seems to start functioning way too late. On dry pavement my truck doesnt have the stopping power to lock the tires anyway, however the ABS would engage. (in other words it hurts more than it helps in my opinion).

[Chevy1500z71]

i know this is old but why does mine unlock the converter when i turn the abs off? or maybe im droping overdrive, but it feels like its just opening up the converter, whats the deal there?

[srlbotanical]

Mine does the same thing. I am not sure why. When the ABS switch is off, I don't get TC lock-up. Its not dropping over drive, just unlocking the torque converter...

[Jim]

entered

[haulinit]

98 is the first year for the fully electronic tranny thats why it still locks up. The fuse is under the hood and its a 60 maxi fuse.

[srlbotanical]

Originally Posted by haulinit

98 is the first year for the fully electronic tranny thats why it still locks up. The fuse is under the hood and its a 60 maxi fuse.

I'm not talking about the torque converter locking up, it's unlocking when the ABS is turned off. And, I'm not using the 60 amp maxi-fuse I am using the 10 amp in cab fuse.

[akjay907]

what u mean by locking up? not sure if this is right, but isnt the torque convertor like a clutch for an AT?

[NorTex4x4]

so i guess we're havin some probs with the mods?

[Chevy1500z71]

Originally Posted by akjay907

what u mean by locking up? not sure if this is right, but isnt the torque convertor like a clutch for an AT?

yes, by "not locking up" we mean its not engaging, its unlocked, meaning its slipping. normally it takes off about 200-300rpms when it locks. before the trans is warm it never locks, nor does it lock before about 40mph so its not a big deal to have it unlocked but i wouldn't drive around with it unlocked all the time. i just flip the abs off in an emergency when i need some more brakes, all the abs does for my truck is take away stopping power becasue it thinks the brakes actually have the nuts to lock up my 35s on dry pavement lol.

[notslow]

Hey guys, thought I would add something to this. I installed a switch on my 99 OBS tahoe with shift on the fly buttons. Well, it works great for 2 to 4 high and back, but the computer can't do a 4 low shift without seeing 5 miles an hour or less. The problem is that the computer seems to get this signal from the abs computer. If I try to shift to 4 four low it blinks for a few seconds then the lights all go off or all stay on. Then the four wheel drive won't shift at all.

If I switch the abs on then shift to 4 low it works fine. I just make sure I have the abs on when shifting in or out of 4 low now.

Just thought some of you might want to know in case you run into this and think your transfer case is going south. That's what I thought at first.

[dirtrunner21]

Im doing this tommorow. I hate abs when it doesnt let me stop in the dirt. Should have done this looong ago.. Great write up.

[dirtrunner21]

Works awsome. Should have done it long ago.

[created2destroy]

Thanks for the write up. I did this last night in my 01, seems to work great.

[DURAGAS 8.1]

getting done today on a 01 and a 95

[chevyman98]

subscribed good article