# ABS module failure bad brake fluid **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** hyundai, tucson\ **Created:** [May 25, 2021, 11:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-module-failure-bad-brake-fluid/177072 "2021-05-25T23:14:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tguilmartin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@tguilmartin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tguilmartin)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2021, 11:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-module-failure-bad-brake-fluid/177072/1 "2021-05-25T23:14:39Z")
So I have an 07 hyundai Tucson with about 60,000 miles on it. The other day my ABS module failed and locked up my brakes. This was a diagonal brake failure. I took it to the dealer the next day and they assessed that the ABS module had failed due to bad brake fluid. There was also a leak in the rear of the master cylinder. They quoted me an entire brake system overhaul including the ABS modules. This was not what I wanted to hear. The BIG problem is that 9 days prior to this brake failure I had brought my car in to the local mechanic to do an inspection. I was experiencing sideways pulling at high speeds. They did their inspection and were unable to replicate the issue. They said they visually checked the brake fluid stating it looked good an was at the appropriate level. They took a picture from the side of the resevoir but not of the brake fluid color. In the picture of the resevoir the fluid looks darker than it should. They gave a report stating that the car was in great shape and needed only a minor alignment adjustment. I had the work done and 9 days later my brakes locked up. What do I do? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2021, 11:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-module-failure-bad-brake-fluid/177072/2 "2021-05-25T23:19:39Z")
Pay to have the brake system repaired. Since the advent of ABS, brake fluid service on a recommended schedule is far cheaper than rebuilding the brake system. Tester ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2021, 11:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-module-failure-bad-brake-fluid/177072/3 "2021-05-25T23:22:07Z")
and find a new mechanic. ---
**Author:** ![tguilmartin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@tguilmartin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tguilmartin)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2021, 11:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-module-failure-bad-brake-fluid/177072/4 "2021-05-25T23:49:48Z")
They quoted me 4,900 to do the whole thing. That’s about what the car is worth now. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2021, 11:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-module-failure-bad-brake-fluid/177072/5 "2021-05-25T23:50:24Z")
Brake fluid is tested for the amount of water in it with a tool. A tool your mechanic did not have. A cheap tool, actually. Less than $50. A visual inspection is not enough. Sorry, but brake fluid should be changed when the moisture level hits 3%. That takes about 3 years depending on where you live. ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2021, 11:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-module-failure-bad-brake-fluid/177072/6 "2021-05-25T23:51:45Z")
but he took a pretty picture. LOL ---
**Author:** ![tguilmartin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@tguilmartin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tguilmartin)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2021, 11:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-module-failure-bad-brake-fluid/177072/7 "2021-05-25T23:56:02Z")
Yeah I contacted the customer service for the mechanic. I just want to determine whether the inspection I paid for includes testing the brake fluid or just looking at it. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 12:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-module-failure-bad-brake-fluid/177072/8 "2021-05-26T00:00:48Z")
It really won’t matter. The damage was done long ago. No mechanic can see the neglect inside your brake system. ---
**Author:** ![tguilmartin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@tguilmartin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tguilmartin)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 12:03am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-module-failure-bad-brake-fluid/177072/9 "2021-05-26T00:03:52Z")
So… they check my brake fluid. 9 days later its brown and has worked it’s way through the system. You’re saying they wouldn’t have known that when checking the brake fluid? ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 12:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-module-failure-bad-brake-fluid/177072/10 "2021-05-26T00:06:01Z")
I am saying the damage was done long before they did any checking. And any checking they did would not uncover damage done from old wet brake fluid corroding the INside of the ABS unit. When the seal come apart internally, it makes a mess, internally and colors the fluid. ---
**Author:** ![tguilmartin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@tguilmartin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tguilmartin)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 12:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-module-failure-bad-brake-fluid/177072/11 "2021-05-26T00:08:13Z")
I think I understand now. Thanks a bunch for your help. ---
**Author:** ![vipergg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/50afbb/32.png) [@vipergg](https://community.cartalk.com/u/vipergg)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 12:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-module-failure-bad-brake-fluid/177072/12 "2021-05-26T00:42:58Z")
It is pretty hard to tell just by looking at it . Brake fluid always looks dark inside the reservoir . ---
**Author:** ![tguilmartin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@tguilmartin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tguilmartin)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 12:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-module-failure-bad-brake-fluid/177072/13 "2021-05-26T00:47:19Z")
I’m not a car person. Everything I know about them was pretty much learned yesterday via hours of research. It just seems to me that when a multi point inspection claims to cover brakes, that should include the very simple, quick, and inexpensive test of the brake fluid. I mean… it seems kind of messed up if that’s not a standard in the industry. ---
**Author:** ![bcohen2010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bcohen2010](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bcohen2010)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 4:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-module-failure-bad-brake-fluid/177072/14 "2021-05-26T04:10:42Z")
> [@tguilmartin](#): > > They quoted me 4,900 to do the whole thing. That’s about what the car is worth now. What’s important isn’t how much the vehicle is worth on the open market. What’s important is how much it will cost to repair _versus the alternative_, which would be to junk it and buy something else. Obviously, you can get a different vehicle which runs for less than $5k, _however you should be able to find a different shop which will do this repair for less than half the dealer’s quote._ Alternatively, you could purchase a remanufactured ABS module for your vehicle, or have the existing one rebuilt, and then take it somewhere to have the remaining brake work done if DIY is not an option. For example, here is a website which offers the service of rebuilding ABS modules, and specifically mentions your vehicle: > **[Hyundai Tucson ABS pump](https://www.ecutesting.com/common-faults/hyundai/hyundai-tucson-abs-pumpmodule-fault/)** > > Failure of the Hyundai Tucson ABS pump and module will prevent full operation of the emergency braking system... ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 2:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-module-failure-bad-brake-fluid/177072/15 "2021-05-26T14:29:20Z")
If you do get it fixed I suggest you also get the transmission fluid changed, not flushed, and every 30-60,000 miles going forward. Trans and brake fluid are two things the car makers often don’t talk about maintaining, but should be changed periodically for long trouble free life. ---
**Author:** ![ledhed75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@ledhed75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ledhed75)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 2:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-module-failure-bad-brake-fluid/177072/16 "2021-05-26T14:38:10Z")
You also don’t have to get these repairs done at a dealer. It’d be a lot cheaper at an independent shop. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 2:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-module-failure-bad-brake-fluid/177072/17 "2021-05-26T14:59:48Z")
If anyone ever tells you never get a transmission flushed, don’t listen to them. Here’s why. [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/6/e/6eb2d4535753bd1b07a71616166b539686824e19.jpeg "Pat Goss talks about Transmission Flushes") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfrWzwic2Sg) Tester ---
**Author:** ![tguilmartin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@tguilmartin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tguilmartin)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 7:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-module-failure-bad-brake-fluid/177072/18 "2021-05-26T19:33:34Z")
Update: most commercial mechanics won’t do the ABS if I have it rebuilt. However, I can get it rebuilt and for a very reasonable price. Master cylinder is getting replaced along with the brake fluid flushed. I decided to take all your advice on the transmission fluid though it won’t be a flush due to the year of the car and the fact that the solvent used in the flush can be detrimental to the seals. Hopefully this solves my issues. ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 10:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-module-failure-bad-brake-fluid/177072/19 "2021-05-26T22:13:27Z")
> [@tguilmartin](#): > > it won’t be a flush due to the year of the car and the fact that the solvent used in the flush can be detrimental to the seals Wise move. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2021, 1:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-module-failure-bad-brake-fluid/177072/20 "2021-05-28T13:59:27Z")
Rebuilt abs unit, new MC, brake fluid flush. Sounds like a plan.