It can be a real issue, the problem seems to be that you can't actually completely bleed the ABS pump without activating it. On some cars, Mercedes for instance there is a diagnostic socket to operate the pump as it is bled. I've got round it by bleeding the brakes, taking the car out onto a gravel road, hammering the brakes so the ABS cuts in, and immmediately bleeding the brakes again. Not ideal, but it's the best I've come up with. It does work. Cracking the brake pipe unions on the ABS pump open as you pressure bleed can also help.


Don't let the system drain as you bleed seems to be the real moral of the story.