I question if the ABS is the cause. Typically if that light is on, the ABS is disabled, as far as I know. This goes back to the question of did the mechanic pull the ABS codes? That info may be helpful too.

 

On my Honda I know I have felt the ABS kick in with the ABS light on, so at least on that car the ABS light doesn't necessarily mean ABS is totally disabled. I don't know if the Caravan also has certain conditions where it will light the ABS light but not totally disable the system, but I just thought I'd throw that out there.

 

Ok heard back from the mechanic. He said that the ABS pump is bad that its putting out too much pressure and causing the issue. He said if I was going to keep the van (which I am) that he would just bypass it and it would cost me $400 just in labor but he would show me how to do it to save me a lot of money. I have found a few used pumps online so I may have him put it on or just do it myself. Does anyone happen to know where its located? I have never seen it nor have I looked for it. My wife is totally against bypassing the ABS and I tend to agree but man are those those parts expensive. Wish there was aftermarket available. Anyone have suggestions where to get one?

 

Check your local you-pull or salvage yard and see what they'll charge for the part.

Have you tried pulling the fuse yet? This may get you so you can drive while you make a decision. I guess ask the mechanic what he thinks about that, but I would probably try that and see what happens if it were me.

I'll try and get some free time later to look into the location of the pump. Did he pull codes? if so, can you share them just so we can all try and be on the same page?

Cheers

 

He said that there was no codes given although the ABS light did come on a few times. I will be going to his shop in the morning to discuss this further with him. He did say that even with the system disabled it still had to go thru the pump and that was the problem. I really have a hard time believing it. I'm wondering if the speed sensors on both sides are bad. That would cause it to shake at high speeds when breaking and therefore smoke the pads wouldn't it?

 

So what is the status of the ABS light at this time? I have a hard time believing there is no DTC stored w/ the ABS light illuminated.

I'll see if I can find the hydraulic diagrams or something that will give more info into how the brake system works. It may very well still go thru the pump, but if nothing is commanding the pump to function, it seems reasonable to reach the conclusion of the pump can't give too much pressure, does that make sense? Braking systems have a fail safe design for the most part (at least in this era of vehicle) that if all electronic input fails, the brake system will still function.

 

It came on once before I changed the caliper, pads and rotor and once after that until I turned off the van. Yes, it makes perfect sense to me. I know that the fluid goes thru that pump even if the system is functioning or not. The mechanic said that the pump was putting out too much pressure causing it to make the brakes shake like they are and smoke the pads. I can only tell it does it at 45mph or more. What's your thoughts about it being the sensors? I really am having a hard time believing what he is telling me. I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars to change the pump and module and it still do the same thing or it just have been an $85 sensor.

 

Personally, I feel like it it were the sensors you would have a persistent MIL light and a DTC to indicate such issue. I most certainly could be wrong in this but the purpose of self checks and MIL/DTC is to aid in troubleshooting such issues.

 

Makes sense to me.

 

Are you only experiencing the symptoms on the front brakes? single brake? multi?