I've also just purchased a Verde with ABS pump issues and found the existing threads in the Milano forum very helpful. Check through these for guidance.
In my case, the PO had replaced the accumulator but that did not fix his problem. So, I knew I had to replace the pump and have done so with the GM unit from ac-direct.com (now ~$375). This did not fix my lack of rear brakes so I am now replacing the master cylinder with a known good used unit. One step at a time approach. You should also inspect your rear rotors, are they getting any contact at all?
Keep us posted on your progress.

 

I looked through many old posts and found them very helpful as well. I am getting a used electropump and accumulator from a friend on the BB and will replace it. The previous posts defiantly describe everything to diagnose and fix the ABS system bu I couldn't find an answer to properties of a failed pump. Do the Power/Ground terminals of a bad pump become shorted. Also any guess why I would only get 5 volts.

 

I'll look to others to answer the electrical problems as I did not have them just a worn pump. I hope your replacements work and you don't face the same dilemma I had after replacement with a worn master cylinder.

 

If you're feeling brave, apply 12V to the pump and see what happens. The low voltage could be an almost blown main fuse (located right next to the pump under a black plastic cover) or poor contacts on the relays (above the clutch pedal and a pain to reach). Often a motor will fail open because the winding burns or the brushes fail to make contact, but it is possible to fail closed, especially if things have been heated up for a while.

The accumulator is on top of the pump and won't have any impact on what you are seeing because it is just a pressure vessel. Once you get your pump running you might find that you need to replace the accumulator to prevent the pump from running EVERY time you hit the brakes (should take 5 or more pedal pushes before the pump runs).

 

Is there a fuse on the 87?

Hi,
I found in a previous thread someone said that there was no fuse for electropump on the fender for 87 models. someone else replied that there was, but no one else stated who was right. Can anyone else verify if it's there? I searched and could not find one.
I replaced the electropump and accumulator with the buick conversion. After I had the old pump out I tested it and it still worked but i guess its best to have replaced it anyway. So My problem still remains that I need to figure out why I am getting only 5V.
I figured I could do a cheap work around by having the 5V kick on a relay that gives 12 to the electropump but I worry that this could just be putting a small bandaid on a bigger problem. What are some thoughts on this?
thanks,
Bob

 

That bandaid sounds "scary" - to me Yeah, find the root cause and fix it properly.

Roxanne is an 87 and has the fender fuse for the ABS pump. There HAS to be a fuse - i cannot imagine Alfa having it un-fused Well, on a 2nd thought, maybe I can

Do you have the manual (incl the ABS section)?

Jes

 

Bob, the wiring diagram states that there is a fuse in the circuit. That pump draws a lot of current so please insert a fuse if one is missing! Sounds like sometime in the car's past (along with some other '87s too) the fuse was deleted because they blew up with some regularity but no one put the effort to track down the root cause.

 

I put in a autoresting breaker as my first pump poping fuses over and over. (it had chunks of plastic inside and would jam time to time)
I would swear the the fuse was in the fuse box. I had a box of fuses I keept puting in untill I put in the autoreseting breaker. but that was a long time ago. and I have never had a problem with a poped fuse after that. and if I did it will auto fix as soon as the overload is removed.

 

Fusible Link

I think it is actually a fusible link, not technically a fuse, on the fender. On my old Milano the ABS pump stopped working completely and I thought there was power to the pump. So car was towed and diagnosed and turned out the fusible link had blown. It seems that maybe some power gets through the link after it is burned out, but not enough to run the pump? In any event, I would definitely check the link before assuming the pump is bad. Total pump failure, i.e. no pump noise as you describe, sounds more like an electrical problem than pump failure.

 

Still can't find a fuse

Hi,
I still can't find a fuse in the engine bay and everything looks original Alfa. As you can see in the first photo, The connection to the electropump goes into a sleeve, right above the coil. The sleeve then goes all the way into the cabin. I did find a fuse on the fuse box that looks similar, shown in the second pic, anyone know what this does?
I measured the voltage on the relay and two of the terminals were ground, one was 12V, and the other was around 8V.

 

Bob, the fuse you are looking for is hidden ... underneath the coil on the driver's side fender well. It sits inside a small black plastic fuse holder.

Edit: Found some pictures I posted before on the subject. They are here:

http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?p=196780&highlight=abs+fuse#post196780

 

I think the second picture shows a "fuse" (link?) that is for the rear defroster??. the one for the ABS is under a 1" or so square piece of plastic, basically under the coil

 

I figured the fuse was unrelated but I was hoping that there might have been a chance. When i took those pictures today I went with the purpose of finding that fuse and i'm almost positive it's not there. I followed the wire from the electropump into the sleeve that it runs into the engine bay and there was no black box or anything. I specifically looked around the coil because I had read it was there. I will take very thorough pictures when i go down next time. I appreciate all the help and detailed descriptions.