ABS light

6064 Views 16 Replies 5 Participants Last post by MickyP, Oct 30, 2014

MickyP

Discussion Starter · Oct 17, 2014 (Edited)

Occasionally this comes on, and it's getting more frequent. When it comes on the brake pulses, which alarms the wife. Squirted green fuses and plug on top of battery with switch cleaner which semed to help but it still comes on. Bought a couple of front sensors and just changed the driver's one (they're really tight!) and I wondered whether the rotor should be shiny clean and what the air gap is. Reason for asking is mine is pretty rusty and I cleaned it with a wire brush but I'm guessing the rust must have increased the air gap between rotor and sensor. Suffice to say, the light still comes on!

Any views?

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

billymade

· #2 · Oct 17, 2014

I would scan the car for trouble codes; use a Vw compatible one that can read the abs computer, the vague vs450 is $50 on Amazon or go with the factory level VCDS from Ross Tech. Post up those codes; we will go from there....

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MickyP

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 17, 2014

I have a basic reader. But do you know what the sensor air gap should be?

billymade

· #4 · Oct 17, 2014 (Edited)

You need to get a Vw compatible scanner; otherwise, you are basically flying blind. For the air gap and repair info, look up your car here: free online Vw repair manuals

http://workshop-manuals.com/volkswagen/

mesabeetle

· #5 · Oct 18, 2014 (Edited)

Abs light

My daughters 2000 nb had the dreaded abs light for three years after I bought it used. After reading through various posts on fixing the faulty solder joints in the abs module, I pulled the abs module and opened it up. My abs module was slightly different from the one in most forums, but the issue was the same--namely, bad solder joints on the circuit board around two circuit board pins.

A local tv appliance store did the intricate soldering on two small pins on the circuit board for $25. Luckily for me, that solder fix turned off my abs light. The attached picture shows the cracked solder joints around the two large pins.

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MickyP

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 18, 2014

Wow, thanks. Is it hard to get the module off? Never had a car with so many problems. Got two Beetles and they're both the same: warning lights, windows pack up, speaker cables break in door loom, etc, etc. I can report, too, that not all ABS sensors (or any sensors) are of the same quality, so you tread a cautious path by not buying OE!

mesabeetle

· #7 · Oct 18, 2014

The module is not very difficult to remove although the location of the module isnt so friendly and is tucked under the windshield cowel. If your vag com reveals a a bad abs pump, then I recommend pulling the abs pump. If your code shows a bad abs wheel sensor, then your job will be much easier.

billymade

· #8 · Oct 19, 2014

Check out this thread; for troubleshooting and testing info:

http://newbeetle.org/forums/1-8-liter-turbo/87153-abs-lights.html

MickyP

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 19, 2014

Hi billymade

Thanks for this. I will investigate further - just need to regroup.

MickyP

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 22, 2014 (Edited)

Bit more info.

I have two warning lights - emissions one and EPS (not ABS). The latter resets when you turn the ignition off, then comes on 15-20 miles later on again, and with it an ABS pulse noise from front offside.

Codes are 16806, which my book says main catalyst efficiency below threshold (Bank 1). What does this mean, please? It's had a new air filter, oil, spark plugs, catalytic converter, MAF sensor and have cleaned throttle body. This mean the front lamba sensor?

Other code I can't find in my book. It was 01542

Grateful for any light that can be shed.

esse10

· #11 · Oct 22, 2014

cat efficiency

MickyP said:
Bit more info.

I have two warning lights - emissions one and EPS (not ABS). The latter resets when you turn the ignition off, then comes on 15-20 miles later on again, and with it an ABS pulse noise from front offside.

Codes are 16806, which my book says main catalyst efficiency below threshold (Bank 1). What does this mean, please? It's had a new air filter, oil, spark plugs, catalytic converter, MAF sensor and have cleaned throttle body. This mean the front lamba sensor?

Other code I can't find in my book. It was 01542

Grateful for any light that can be shed.

The last time I had a CAT efficiency issues with mine I was told by several folks to replace the Catalytic converter and the O2 sensors,,,glad I didn't do that. I finally fixed it and has not come back by running about 5 ounces of SEAFOAM through the input vacuum hose on top of the throttle valve. there is a real good utube video online on how to do that on a VW jetta but works the same for a beetle. when I did mine it threw a bunch of codes but then cleared up after driving it hard for a couple days. good luck.

Jeff2

· #12 · Oct 24, 2014

Since you said you have a "simple" scanner, you're not going to get any codes from the ABS module. You need a VW specific scanner (i.e. VAG for Volkswagen AG).

MickyP

Discussion Starter · #13 · Oct 24, 2014

I have this:

U281 VW Audi Skoda VAG CAN BUS Fault Code Reader Car Diagnostic Scanner Tool UK | eBay

And you reckon I need: Advanced Vgate Scan VS450 Diagnostics Reader UK STOCK | eBay

Is that correct?

billymade

· #14 · Oct 24, 2014 (Edited)

I would think; that scanner would give you the specific VW codes you are looking for. I use VCDS; so, I cannot tell you about your scanner but it looks to be a VW specific basic scan tool. Needless, to day; VCDS would nice to see "live data" and know if the computer sees things etc.; check out ross tech for more info:

www.rosstech.com

Jeff2

· #15 · Oct 27, 2014

That scanner you have is a VAG specific scanner and the link you gave says that it will read the ABS codes. When you said "simple" I jumped to the (wrong) conclusion that you had a generic OBD-II scanner.

MickyP

Discussion Starter · #16 · Oct 28, 2014

K, ta. Have just replaced the front lamba sensor, so will see what happens. Management light's off at mo!

Correction, garage replaced it with my special deep walled socket. I couldn't budge it!

MickyP

Discussion Starter · #17 · Oct 30, 2014

Management light's back on again! Arrrgh!

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

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