Okay, so I've finally got my auto to manual swap done from a 96 to 97 OBW, and Ive only got a few little issues to deal with. One that is stumping me is why the ABS light is on. I'm going to assume its because it usually is expecting info from the auto trans for the ABS, but I no longer have any of that stuff in there. So now I'm just wondering how do I get the ABS light off? I've read that the 96 uses a computer under the dash, while the computer for the ABS in the 97 is part of the abs module in the engine bay. Is there a difference between the 2 systems between AUTO and manual? Anyone ever have this problem before?

John,

 

Replied to your email. Here's info on how to pull the codes from the ABS computer.

 

http://main.experiencetherave.com/subaru_manual_scans/FSM_Scans/abs-2E-diagnostics.gif

http://main.experiencetherave.com/subaru_manual_scans/FSM_Scans/abs_diagnostics.pdf

ah I need more help with this. Are this diagrams even right for my generation outback? And is there like a list of codes and it'll tell me what the problem is? I'm wondering if the fact there is no longer a tcu is messing it up?

 

Edit.. oops i didnt see the code list on the last page. but im still wondering if the way to read it is the same for a 97 legacy.

Edited November 17, 200916 yr by Gsir08

Okay, so to test my theory... I put the Automatic Tranmission control unit back in the car, and the ABS light went away.... So what do I do now... can I leave the TCU in there? OR will that mess with the computer since it is now manual?

Remove the bulb from the dash and disconnect the ABS unit.

 

Brakes go to the normal non-ABS function

But I want the ABS to work...

yes - swap your ABS control unit. on your 97 legacy it should be either to the right of the glove box behind the dash area or under the passengers side seat. they are auto/manual specific. i just pulled one from a 97 Legacy GT like a couple days ago and it was behind the dash to the right of the glove box.

Can I swap the ABS control unit? In my Haynes manual that I have, it sayss the pre 97 they used a seperate control unit, but the 97 has it build into the ABS module in the engine bay.

 

Oh and when I had the TCU plugged in, the idle was kind of high and not right, so I unplugged the center plug on the TCU, and the idle went abck to normal and the ABS light stayed off, since the other 2 plugs on the TCU are in. Is it bad to have the TCU in there?

Did you do anything with the MT/AT identifier pin on the ECU? If you take care of this, idle should be good, and the ECU should recognize that the car now is a MT.

yes i grounded the pin, and it does think it is a MT. But when I plug the TCU in, the idle gets raised... How can i Make the abs light go off without the tcu in there?

does anybody know if there would be a problem with leaving the TCU in?

I have heard of people leaving the TCU in there. If it's working fine with the TCU in there, I'd just leave it.

Just because the ABS light goes off with the TCU in there doesn't mean the ABS actually works ... Have you tested it?

yes... ive tested it. and why wouldnt it work if the light goes off.

I'm still wondering how I would get the light to go off without putting the TCU in.

I'm still wondering how I would get the light to go off without putting the TCU in.

pretty sure I already mentioned how to fix this:

swap your ABS control unit. on your 97 legacy it should be either to the right of the glove box behind the dash area or under the passengers side seat. they are auto/manual specific.

 

you now have a manual transmission with an auto trans ABS controller. if you want the ABS to work i'd consider getting the right controller...an emergency situation is not when you want to find out what the wrong controller does for your car.

Did you get the ABS working correctly? If so please let us know what you did. Thanks, Larry