2015-2021 VA chassis - how to disable ABS?

[n1ckn1ck]

Doing winter driving with the WRX and I usually long press the traction control to turn it off, but ABS lengthens my brake distance in snow, and I'm pretty sure there is some residual VDC (vehicle dynamics control) remaining even when TC is turned off, because the car doesn't rotate as easily as it should.

I'm also annoyed that it's very hard to tell when ABS kicks in because the noise/feel is almost undetectable to me, making threshold braking much harder to dial in. Maybe the NVH from the mounts in my car are camouflaging the feel of ABS, who knows.

I haven't attempted anything yet, but based on my research I have run down the following options:

1. Pull ABS fuse(s)
   
   This is the most direct method, but it puts the car into limp mode where power steering is at 50%, RPM is locked at 4000, CEL turns on, plus a couple of other problems.
   
   
   Team O'Neil claims they disabled all driver assists in their VB WRX by simply pulling the fuse.

   Team O'Neil claims they disabled all driver assists in their VB WRX by simply pulling the fuse.

   I assume the VB also goes into limp mode, so I don't understand how that works...
   unless you can get rid of limp mode by simply clearing the codes. That would be amazing.
   
   
   
2. Pull or disable ABS wheel sensors
   
   This causes the same problems as pulling the fuse.
   
   
   
3. Disconnect ABS control module (VDC control module & hydraulic control unit, or VDCCM&H/U)
   
   Would probably put the car into limp mode as well. There is also a chance it could mess up the brake bias. To avoid that, someone suggested disabling the ABS pump instead, if that's possible.
   
   
   
4. Disconnect yaw sensor
   
   It sucks, but the yaw sensor in the VA chassis is integrated in the ABS module. Longitudinal and lateral G sensors are also integrated.
   
   
   
5. Disconnect or delete steering angle sensor
   
   This would only stand a chance of disabling the VDC of course, but if you pull off your wheel then you can get to the steering angle sensor behind the clock spring. It works through a couple of plastic tabs that rotate with the angle of the clock spring. If disconnecting the sensor trips limp mode, you could delete the plastic tabs so the sensor wouldn't measure any inclination. Who knows what else this would do lol.
   
   
   
6. Pull mystery fuse that will kill VDC (not ABS) without tripping limp mode
   
   The interior fusebox under the traction control button may have a fuse that indirectly disables VDC somehow.
   This guy successfully turned off ABS in a 2013 Crosstrek/XV

   This guy successfully turned off ABS in a 2013 Crosstrek/XV

   and, more promisingly, user ZCD posted here about turning off VDC in a 2021 Impreza hatchback using a similar method.
   
   The fuse that ZCD pulled for his hatchback appears to be for the brake lights. The VA WRX also has this fuse.
   
   The VA WRX also has another interior line of fuses perpendicular to the interior fusebox, although I haven't found out what those are.
   
   
   
7. Physically block off or remove ABS system
   
   Wilwood makes a brake booster delete for older Subarus that also entails removing the ABS. I haven't seen anyone post about modding a VA like that though. I don't want the ABS permanently gone obviously, but it's a possibility.
   

That's what I've got to start with. Hopefully someone out there knows how to do this. Kind of surprised I can't find anyone who's accomplished it considering how popular the VA is, but most people are racing with cheap older Subarus.

Links:

1. Team O'Neil's guide to disabling ABS, TRAC, DSC, VDC etc

   Team O'Neil's guide to disabling ABS, TRAC, DSC, VDC etc

2. Disabling VDC in a 2021 Impreza hatchback
3. Disabling VDC in a 2013 Crosstrek

   Disabling VDC in a 2013 Crosstrek

4. Disabling ABS in a GR WRX

   Disabling ABS in a GR WRX

5. Team O'Neil does gymkhana in a VB WRX

   Team O'Neil does gymkhana in a VB WRX

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[TSS73]

Nick,

Did you have any luck? I’m going to be driving my VB in a RallyCross event this weekend. I tried to pull the VDC SOL fuse, dash went crazy (as expected), power steering was 100% and rev limiter kicked in around 5500. Then I tried the right wheel sensor and the dash went even more crazy with extra warnings, power steering was gone, rev limiter at 5500 again.

I would love to get the car to where they had it at Team O’Neil with no electronic assists for the race. I will keep searching. But hopefully I can find a solution other than the disable traction button.

-Thanks!

[n1ckn1ck]

Originally Posted by TSS73

Nick,

Did you have any luck? I'm going to be driving my VB in a RallyCross event this weekend. I tried to pull the VDC SOL fuse, dash went crazy (as expected), power steering was 100% and rev limiter kicked in around 5500. Then I tried the right wheel sensor and the dash went even more crazy with extra warnings, power steering was gone, rev limiter at 5500 again.

I would love to get the car to where they had it at Team O'Neil with no electronic assists for the race. I will keep searching. But hopefully I can find a solution other than the disable traction button.

-Thanks!

Whoops, meant to update this thread earlier. I "figured out" how to disable VDC completely - it's the same method user ZDC posted about in his thread. You find the fuse for the brake lights labeled "STOP" or "Stop light" on your internal fuse box and pull it, hit the brake pedal until the VDC alert comes on, then replace the fuse if you want your brake lights to work (VDC will still be off).

On the VA WRX this is internal fuse #8, 7.5A. I can't find a diagram for the VB but it's probably similar.

Still trying to figure out ABS.

[AmberLarson]

Originally Posted by TSS73

Nick,

Did you have any luck? I'm going to be driving my VB in a RallyCross event this weekend. I tried to pull the VDC SOL fuse, dash went crazy (as expected), power steering was 100% and rev limiter kicked in around 5500. Then I tried the right wheel sensor and the dash went even more crazy with extra warnings, power steering was gone, rev limiter at 5500 again.

I would love to get the car to where they had it at Team O'Neil with no electronic assists for the race. I will keep searching. But hopefully Block Blast I can find a solution other than the disable traction button.

-Thanks!

You can try using a diagnostic tool to scan for faults and see if there are any fault codes related to the power steering or VDC systems.

[Jedi03]

you cant unplug the abs module?