1990 740 GL Sedan:

Mostly this happens when I back out of my driveway in the morning, but it has also happened doing some light braking around town going forward: The brakes go a little soft, vibrate, and make a high pitched sound, like they aregiving out, yet they hold tight. Feels like the ABS brakes to me, but why they are activating when they shouldn't I have no idea. It is kind of scary because it feels like I am going to loose my brakes. Also, my ABS light comes on occasionally but doesn't stay lit upon the next starting.

Does anybody know what this is? Where do I start?
Thanks,
Dan Sam

I'd hate to ask a stupid question but here goes: Can I just disconnect the ABS and live without it? I know I can certainly drive without it as I've never had ABS in all the 27 years I've been driving, but can the brake system work without it?

my '92 745 does the same after turning the car on. The ABS checks itself with every start and feels like rumbling when you step on the brakes and lasts a couple of seconds. This is normal.
If it is doing at other times, this is not normal and might indicate that your ABS it's going out, specially if the ABS light comes on.
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John '88 240, '92 740 Tampa Bay