18 replies to this topic

[booshtukka]

Hello,

 

For anyone following - I finally killed the airbag light saga. The final piece was to buy a second hand airbag ECU from The Batman, and that did it. No idea what was wrong with the old ECU.

 

So, I got it back from the garage, and am super happy on my drive to work. But on the way back, the ABS light came on. The car was being a bit bouncy since it got the Gaz Nickels installed too. Is it possible the cable could have been shaken loose or not put on properly at the garage?

 

To be honest, since it came back it has some other issues too that I will have to take it back to the garage for, that they have obviously done while they had it.

 

Re ABS light: Is this typically an easy fix, or a common thing to happen? If I can fix it myself that's obviously better…

 

Thanks!

 

A

[Zoobeef]

Common and usually a broke wire going to one of the hubs. If your speedo is ok then it's not the nearside rear. So 3 others to check, unless you have op-com then that will tell you. Once fixed a drive will clear it.

[booshtukka]

Thanks for the reply.

 

Speedo's working. It's safe to drive, right?

 

Is the cable likely to be broken, or just come loose? How do I check it - a continuity check or will it be blatantly visibly broken?

[Zoobeef]

Yeah you'll just have no abs while the light on bit the brakes will be fine. It normally breaks next to the hub so you should find it on a visual check.

[booshtukka]

Thank you! I'll check it tomorrow.

[Rudy]

Standard abs on the vx is shocking and I've had mine off since I had several scary moments shortly after I bought it. I'd rather have a lock up than pulsing and no brake. On track it's even more useless with it on. If it's a broken wire then fix it but see how you feel when it cuts in at an inopportune moment and maybe fit a mod to switch off?

[booshtukka]

I don't think I've had it kick in so far, weirdly. I wasn't convinced it did anything.

 

First step is to get through the MOT later this month, so I need the light off. But if all you need to do is discontinue one of the wires to turn it off, that sounds like a pretty easy mod…

[Rudy]

Some seem happy with it, others not so. Fix it and see how you go. If you experience ice mode or pulsing under heavy braking (with no braking!) then yes you can simply disconnect one of connections to the hub, or there's a thread on doing a mod with a switch under the bonnet if you want it nice and tidy. Obviously reconnect for mot

[Acidpopstar]

Test it. Only way to be sure. On a safe deserted road just slam the anchors on and see what happens. I have a switch installed like many others to turn it off. It's always off.

[Zuber]

I find mine works fine most of the time. But it does occasionally catch you out on uneven surfaces.

 

Like a few weeks back, coming upto traffic on a roundabout with yellow rumble strips. Brakes applied, strange sensation of not slowing down as I rapidly approached the vehicle in front of me... Managed to release and reapply a couple times and that did the job, but on a bad day...

Edited by Zuber, 09 January 2015 - 09:34 AM.

[siztenboots]

over time , you will get a better calibrated foot. you need less brake line pressure than you think to amply clamp the pads to the discs , plus weight transfer over the front wheels.

 

[booshtukka]

Last night the car in front of me slammed on the brakes on the motorway. I managed to stop less than a foot away. Pretty sure the ABS actually helped.

[booshtukka]

Oh, and BTW, my problem was just that the sensor was dirty

[VX Boyd]

Last night the car in front of me slammed on the brakes on the motorway. I managed to stop less than a foot away. Pretty sure the ABS actually helped.

 

You'd know if the ABS came on... it sounds like it didn't.

 

One questions to others though... when the ABS does come in, should it light up on the dash? My ABS works (well, works in that it makes things worse when it comes on) but the light on the dash doesn't turn on.

[techieboy]

No the light shouldn't come on (other than as a test at ignition on) when the ABS is doing it's job. The warning light is only their to indicate a fault.

[booshtukka]

It definitely came on.

[VX Boyd]

And you think it saved you? You have a rare breed there if you have one with working ABS!

 

Good to know Techie. Minor thread hijack - mine has developed a funny new trait, the headlights blink when they're on, seemingly more frequently when driving at speed - quite comical at the moment but might not be so funny if they decide to turn off completely whilst moving at speed

Edited by VX Boyd, 29 January 2015 - 11:55 AM.

[booshtukka]

I'm pretty sure! I wouldn't want to test it again

[scw02102]

U can hear the abs motor making a zzzzz noise when it's working