[JE123]

I have a 2005 Insight manual 5 speed w/ AC with approximately 3500 miles on it. Something feels like it disengages and then makes this awful grinding clicking noise whenever I brake over a small bump in the road. I have tried various combinations of clutch and shift states and it always happens. When I brake down a steep hill, it seems to be better if I shift to neutral after the charge level kicks out and release the clutch before I begin hard braking. However, nothing seems to work if I'm just coasting at low speed on a flat road and brake over a manhole cover. It is so disconcerting to drift over the lip in my driveway at 10 mph and feel that "dit dit dit dit, dit-dit, grrrrrrr...." . Is this something to worry about, or just a strange ABS? Thank you.

 

[jbrasure]

I've had 2 Insights, and they both did this. I think the ABS brakes on the Insight are overly sensitive.

 

[Insightful Trekker]

It is so disconcerting to drift over the lip in my driveway at 10 mph and feel that "dit dit dit dit, dit-dit, grrrrrrr...." . Is this something to worry about, or just a strange ABS? Thank you.

I think jbrasure's got the answer. My 02 Insight and driveway is similar.

dit dit dit dit, dit-dit, grrrrrrr... :lol: Couldn't describe it better :!:

HTH!

 

[b1shmu63]

Methinks you are not alone. I thought it was the bad roads and hard tires, as I've not had ABS before. I do recall one rental car years ago where the ABS sounded like a broken CV joint! :shock:

I really couldn't say if your car is more sensitive than normal. Perhaps if you meet up with another Insighter. :idea:

 

[The Citrus Smoothie]

Yep, as the other have implied, that is the ABS kicking in. It is more noticeable on the Insight because i) I understand that the Insight has an early generation ABS system which isn't particularly sophisticated (& possibly lighter?) and gets worried when you brake going over a bump ii) There is less sound insulation than a conventional car so you are more likely to hear the mechanicals iii) Insight tyres are relatively slim and more likely to break traction in a straight line (but OK for going round corners due to the light weight of the Insight). HTH.

 

[JoeMultihuller]

JE123, rest easy. On my country road there's a stop sign preceded by a corrugated road surface. The first time I hit this I really freaked out at the car's response (your description is perfect). Both of my Insights behave identically and consistently on this spot of the road, with definite juddering being felt through the brake pedal. FWIW JoeS.

 

[JE123]

Thank you all so much! My mind is at ease.

 

[Infidel]

Incidentially, what's the easiest way to disable ABS entirely? Any fuse you can pull without throwing a CEL?

 

[Guillermo]

If you pull the "ABS solenoid" fuse (under the hood) only the ABS light on the dash will light up. I recommend practicing hard emergency stopping from medium and high speeds to learn how your car behaves.