I installed my Teins/Tokicos over the weekend and everything went smoothly except that now I have an ABS warning light.

I can tell you that it isn't the fronts, I did them first and had to move the car before starting the rears. Drove it around the block to avoid the flood and there were no warning lights.

After doing the rears I got the ABS warning light.

I've checked and double checked all the wires, bolts and connections for the brake / wheel speed sensors for both back wheels. I was very careful of them during the install, so I'm sure nothing was damaged. I've read a couple of threads on the forum that allude to removing the sensor, replacing, then resetting the ECU. I've done that for both rears (again checking for damage) and still have the light.

I've also checked the ABS fuse, and double checked the front connections for damage.

I've read one or two posts that say that a change in ride height can trigger the ABS light. Is there any truth to that?

Any other suggestions would be great, I'd like to get this taken care of without taking it to the dealer. Thanks.

 

I doubt that changing your suspenion had anything to do with your ABS light, unless you accidentily pulled out a wire while pulling the shocks out.

 

No, I was very careful of the wires, and since the light have double checked the connections. It seems a little too coincidental that the first time I started the car after installing the rear suspension the light came on. Anyway, I have an appointment with my dealer Wednesday to look at it.

 

I think for the ABS light to turn off, you're gonna have to connect a scanner to clear it. So you might have to have the dealer clear it. I know Autozone can hook up their scanner, but I don't know if they can clear it.

 

Also, have you driven it? And if you did, does it drive ok?

 

It drives great, although I haven't tried locking up the brakes to see if the ABS is working. The little clunk noise that the front end makes when you first start the car (which is the ABS self test if I'm not mistaken) isn't happening though.

 

Hmmm... I never knew the car even did that.

 

I don't think it does that every time you start the car, I think mine does the check 2-3 times a week when I back out of my garage within the first 10 feet.

Also maybe check to see if your brake fluid levels are ok?

 

Mine doesn't seem to do it when I back up, so I usually notice when I leave work because I start drving forward. Anyway, yes, I did check the break fluid and the connection to the sensor that monitors the brake fluid level. Both OK.

 

So after work I tested the braking out in the parking lot because it was wet and empty and the ABS seems to be working. I'm hoping they just need to clear it with a scanner.

 

That's mostly likely it. I would call over to AutoZone to see if they can do it for you.

 

No such luck. Turns out one of the front sensors is broken. Not sure why it didn't show up the first time I drove it after installing the fronts, but that's what it is. It's integrated into the hub, so the whole shebang has to be replaced. $400. Ouch.

 

$400!

How do you like the Teins/Tokicos? How much lower did you go?

 

Well, the person that was helping me insisted that he had a shortcut to popping the ball joint (Tokico DIY thread) and he's the one that damaged the sensor. He's helping out with the repair costs.

I really like the setup, the S-Techs drop .7" in the rear and 1.4" in the front (pretty close to the Basics right?). Body roll, dive and squat have all been reduced quite a bit but the ride is still comfortable. And if I do attend an autocross or track day I can adjust that.

 

What was the "shortcut" and how did it damage the sensor?

 

The Basics and Flex drop a touch more but not much.

Tein Basic: 1.6 F, .8 R
Tein Flex: 1.5 F, .7 R

 

Basically he just thougt that if you pry on the suspension a bit he could get the shock/spring assembly out without popping the ball joint. Ironically I was at his place doing the install because he had a ball joint tool and I don't. The sensor was damaged when he was prying. I stopped him and insisted that we just pop the ball joint which was so easy, I don't know why he thought it would be a good idea to skip that step.