Fuse Location to disable ABS by JonnyPhenomenon

4 minute read

Fuse Location to disable ABS

Compliments of JonnyPhenomenon @ www.vwvortex.com

WARNING: included in this thread is the information a person would need to disable ABS on a MK3 Golf, Jetta or Cabrio. (3 and 3.5)

NOTE: before anyone starts in saying how disabling ABS is stupid, let me stop you right there and tell you I dont want to hear it.

DISCLAIMER: Disabling the ABS on your car for any reason prevents an important safety feature from operating properly and could be potentially dangerous. It is also believed that in the ABS system controls the brake balancing system and prevents your rear wheels from having too much braking power. In English, that means that disabling the system might make your rear wheels lock up really easy.

WHY would anyone want to do this?

1: if you do any off-road racing, you will want to know how to do this. I would recommend installing a switch using wire, a couple small spade connectors and an inline 30 amp fuse. 

2: if you have problems with your ABS operating when it shouldnt, you SHOULD disable the system until you can get it properly serviced. (my two cents)

OK, SO: 

my wifes 2002 Cabrio has a malfunctioning ABS system that goes in and out. If they abs light is on her systems disabled and she can stop with threshold braking. But half the time the ABS light is out and the controller believes it is operating properly. This means it flakes out at the weirdest times.

for example: when she was creeping up to a stop sign at about 2mph the abs went nuts and she rolled out 2 feet past the stop sign. This is when I get the phone call from her telling me to fix the brakes or sleep on the couch till I do. 

Lets cut to the Chase: 

so anyway, there are two -somewhat- easy to reach green 30 amp fuses just above the relay panel under the dash. One controls the ABS hydraulic pump, and the other removes all power to the ABS computer.

Here are pics taken with some parts removed to get a better shot.

First, the fuses location:

Another shot:

And here with the ABS system disabled completely.

Pulling the top fuse disables the whole system and lights up the ABS warning light on the left of the dash, as well as the "BRAKE" warning indicator in the instrument cluster.

Pulling the second fuse only, leaves the ABS computer powered up but disables the ABS pump, so the system will not operate, and the ABS light will be on, but the BRAKE warning light will be off. (Also, the ABS relay clicks on and off like crazy when it thinks your wheels are locked up) I recommend pulling the top one so you know your brakes are disabled and you will remember to put that relay back when you are done your racing. (Or so your wife nags at you (reminds you) till you fix it.) -

So, to summarize, 

pull the top fuse. Press easy button.