50 replies to this topic

[Ouchie]

I added an ABS cut-off switch quite a while ago but did not take any photos. Then last September I fitted a switch under the front bonnet of Style's VX and remembered to take some photos. After finally clearing up my cameras SD cards I found the photos again.

Usual disclaimer - if you attempt this mod you do so at your own risk, make sure the keys are not in the ignition. Pictures from a VX220 that is right-hand drive. Speedster/LHD will be different.
I will not go into too much detail here as there are better guides available that also detail how to install the switch inside the cabin area for easier access. Use the fabulous search function to find the guides


Locate the ABS control module above the front right wheel arch and unplug the wiring bundle. Pull the securing part of the plug to release it. It looks like an oversized scart lead/socket.




Separate the wrapping around the wiring loom and locate the 2 ABS feeds (they should be *yellow/white and *pink/white wrapped around each other) *=going from memory and the photo is not clear enough to tell for certain.




Cut one of the ABS wires (yellow in this case) and connect your switch. Bullet connectors were used here for speed. This switch is from Maplin and includes the On/Off plate.




Once connected, plug the ABS back in and test everything works.
1. ABS switch in ON position, turn ignition on, ABS should be fine - no lights on dash, turn ignition off
2. ABS switch in OFF position, turn ignition on, ABS should be disabled - ABS light on dash, turn ignition off

I moved the towing eye including the rubber grommet to the other side - there should be a hole already. I could have run longer wires to the switch and put the switch elsewhere but the the switch fits neatly into the hole left by the towing eye and the wires are kept short. However, access to the rear of the switch is tight with the brake servo in the way.



Tidy everything up and wrap the wires again. I used plenty of tape and cable ties to keep everything secure.

Edited by Ouchie, 03 April 2010 - 09:45 PM.

[chris_uk]

same as what i did and i havent turned it on in over a year.

[Nev]

As a footnote, it's important to cut into the YELLOW wire specifically, if you cut into another one the ABS will switch off but so will your speedo !

[The Batman]

similar to mine

[Ouchie]

I tried one of those key activated switches but managed to break the key when I was testing it. The keys can be very weak.

[The Batman]

i have 4 keys so hopefully they wont all break when it comes to getting an MOT

[dw1]

I declared my abs off switch on my insurance, it didn't appear to make any real difference to the premium. I doubt it ups the risk significantly for the insurers. I'd change your pads to mintex first, see if that makes a difference and then try the abs off.

[elwill]

I declared my abs off switch on my insurance, it didn't appear to make any real difference to the premium. I doubt it ups the risk significantly for the insurers.

I'd change your pads to mintex first, see if that makes a difference and then try the abs off.

If your insurance is anything like mine, they seem to just have generic options, so ABS switch comes under "Brake upgrade", and I think they assume people aren't in the habit of downgrading their brakes, so the increase in premium is negligible.

The change in premium for declaring brake changes for me was £0.

Of course that was from a woman who thought that "track day" was a modification to the car.

[Ormes]

I fitted an ABS switch about a year ago and I've not turned it off yet Got a bit of hard peddle after some spirited driving the other day, wonder if turning my switch will help?

[Vin5]

Hi,

I know that this is an old thread, but looking at the next week when I'll try my vx on a track,

I'm a little bit scared by all the problems occurs with the ABS unit..

There's someone that used the vx without abs for a track day?? any experiences? comments?

 

I'll fit new motec wheels in combination with 205-40r17 and 235-40r17 R888 tyres, and probably the ABS will not work together!

[alexb]

The majority of people doing trackdays have the ABS switched off. I'm a trackday newbie and only dared to switch it off after talking to some people telling me what a difference it makes. It does, at least for me. And it's a huge difference. No ABS on track for me anymore, braking is much better without it. If you're worried, just try it. Find a nice open and quiet industrial area or another place where you can try some hard braking. And make sure there's nobody behind you . First try with ABS on and brake progressively so that the weight shift to the front assists the grip you have. Do the same with ABS off. You'll be scared to do the trackday with ABS on instead of off

[furtive]

Before I bought my car I looked at a Rabata red one that had been around the block (and this forum) a few times. That had a key to switch the ABS switch on and off, but no matter what position the key was in, the ABS light would not go out (one of the reasons I didn't buy it)

 

Do TADTS if you fit this switch?

[gaffer1986]

I added an ABS cut-off switch quite a while ago but did not take any photos. Then last September I fitted a switch under the front bonnet of Style's VX and remembered to take some photos. After finally clearing up my cameras SD cards I found the photos again.

[color=#FFA500;]Usual disclaimer - if you attempt this mod you do so at your own risk, make sure the keys are not in the ignition. Pictures from a VX220 that is right-hand drive. Speedster/LHD will be different.[/color]
I will not go into too much detail here as there are better guides available that also detail how to install the switch inside the cabin area for easier access. Use the fabulous search function to find the guides


Locate the ABS control module above the front right wheel arch and unplug the wiring bundle. Pull the securing part of the plug to release it. It looks like an oversized scart lead/socket.




Separate the wrapping around the wiring loom and locate the 2 ABS feeds (they should be *yellow/white and *pink/white wrapped around each other) *=going from memory and the photo is not clear enough to tell for certain.




Cut one of the ABS wires (yellow in this case) and connect your switch. Bullet connectors were used here for speed. This switch is from Maplin and includes the On/Off plate.




Once connected, plug the ABS back in and test everything works.
1. ABS switch in ON position, turn ignition on, ABS should be fine - no lights on dash, turn ignition off
2. ABS switch in OFF position, turn ignition on, ABS should be disabled - ABS light on dash, turn ignition off

I moved the towing eye including the rubber grommet to the other side - there should be a hole already. I could have run longer wires to the switch and put the switch elsewhere but the the switch fits neatly into the hole left by the towing eye and the wires are kept short. However, access to the rear of the switch is tight with the brake servo in the way.



Tidy everything up and wrap the wires again. I used plenty of tape and cable ties to keep everything secure.

 

 

Do you need to use a switch? Could you just disconnect and reconnect the bullet connectors at will?

[chris_uk]

That is an option.

[gaffer1986]

 I was just thinking I could snip it and leave it but... MOT

[gaffer1986]

Isn't ironic that something that'll make a car stop in less distance will also make it fail the MOT. I think VOSA should make the VX220 an exception for the MOT light.

[gaffer1986]

Would removing the abs fuse work?

[gaffer1986]

You can see the fuse in this link: http://www.vx220.org..._151_139861.jpg

[gaffer1986]

2015-09-20_12-06-00 by Richard Fanders, on Flickr

Edited by gaffer1986, 19 September 2015 - 11:12 PM.

[thejoaoserra]

If you remove the fuse 22 you'll also lose speedo