Hi everyone, when my anti-lock brakes are activated (we had a lot of snow) I get a buzzing sound that lasts a few seconds after I let off my brakes. This is in a 2003 Outback Wagon. The dealer says it is normal. I don't remember it making the sound last year in the snow. I don't think it should still make noise after I let off the brakes. Any opinions? THANKS!

rem14,

 

All of my vehicles with ABS make various harmmering/pulsing/buzzing noises when the ABS is activated, but stop immediately after lifting my foot off the brake pedal. This was true for my 97 OBW, and my 02 OBW as well. I'd get a second opinion from another Subaru dealer when possible. I don't think its a danger to you in the meantime, but it'd sure give you peace of mind. My 2 cents worth.

rem14,

 

All of my vehicles with ABS make various harmmering/pulsing/buzzing noises when the ABS is activated, but stop immediately after lifting my foot off the brake pedal. This was true for my 97 OBW, and my 02 OBW as well. I'd get a second opinion from another Subaru dealer when possible. I don't think its a danger to you in the meantime, but it'd sure give you peace of mind. My 2 cents worth.

 

the buzzing is the sound of the hydrolic celanoid(sp?) hammering your brakes off and letting them come back on over and over...

 

ive never used an abs that hasnt made a vibrating noise like that..

 

and in all my abs experiences...the buzzing usually lasted .5-1 second after i let off the pedal

I think it may be the ABS pump making the noise. There have been some posts about the ABS relay keeping the ABS pump activated, but I'm not sure if it would apply to your description.

Normal noise. I've had ABS on Toyotas (Bosch systems), Saturn (Delco system) and Subaru. They ALL make some sort of "noise" when activated. The first time it happened to me I got very scared.

NEVER LET UP ON THE BRAKE UNTIL YOU COME TO A STOP. A friend's wife let up on her peddle when the ABS activated and did considerable damage to some cars and about $3,000 of damage on her new Lincoln. My friend claimed her brakes "failed" but Ford tested the car and found nothing wrong.

My friend now buys cars and trucks with ABS and has the ABS systems disconnected. He now claims the ABS caused the wife's accident. Yeah......right !

 

~Howard

Whirring/buzzing is normal. You can sometimes hear it at start-up in the moring, as the system runs a self-diagnostic test.

 

Mine also keeps whirring for a short while after activation on ice. It also starts whirring as soon as I the touch pedal afterwards, I suppose in preparation for more "hard work". There is some sort of adaptive programming in there, and if the system decides the car is on really slippery stuff it doesn't wait around.

Thnks for all the reply's everyone. I do see the reply's are varied as to the buzzing sound staying on after I let up on the pedal though.

Mine both buzz for second afterwards. The 4EAT-equipped one shifts into 3rd for a couple seconds after activating the anti-lock (I assume to pacify wheelspin upon re-acceleration).