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Warning lights: ABS & traction control

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Ex-car bloke View Drop Down
Vanorak
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ex-car bloke Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Warning lights: ABS & traction control
    Posted: 07 Feb 12 at 14:50
I must admit my gut feel is that mice have chewed some wires but wondered if it might be something else.
 
After not using the van for a week, I started it and the above two yellow dash lights were lit and remained lit for a few miles than went off.  Same since, sometimes they're on, sometimes not.  More often not on than on, but they do light quite often, usually together though sometimes separately
 
Regularly serviced, no issues connected with either of the things that the lights might suggest.  Traction control has always worked, inasmuch as the light would flash when wheels lost grip (quite a handy feature) and I could switch it on and disable it with the dash switch although rarely did the latter.
 
Also ABS has always worked although I haven't checked since the light came on, I must admit. 
 
Any ideas from you chaps?
ECB           2006 SWB 174 window van
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Steve B View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Steve B Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Feb 12 at 15:15
Get the fault codes read as it could just be a faulty sensor.

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Delfhill View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Delfhill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Feb 12 at 21:32
Hi ECB, cold and snowy in Scotland?!
My problem with warning lights was not quite the same as yours, but the solution may be the same.
I had the ASB light and the ESP light on, is the ESP the same as your traction control light?
Anyway, to cut a very long story short, during which expensive things were replaced on warranty because the computer said they must be wrong, I eventually found the fault was dodgy electrical connectors underneath the van where all the salt and wet was getting at them. I always seemed to get the fault in winter. The connection I had trouble with was above the rear diff with the 4WD diff lock mechanism, for some reason that made the warning lights come on whenever it malfunctioned. The connector was very inaccessible,it got to a stage where I had an 18" length of 1/2 " dowel that I could poke up by the diff, wiggle the connector and all was well for another few miles. Eventually I dropped the diff, accessed the connector, cleaned it, covered it in silicone grease and for the last 13 months have never had any more trouble.
I also had a brake pad warning light come on which again was a bad connection on the rear pad sensor connector, again cleaned up and silicone greased.
So maybe it's the same problem with these delicate multipin connectors somewhere under yours. Having said that, we did have a squirrel recently bite through the fuel lines on my wife's car!
4Motion 130 window van, medium roof, camper conversion.
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Ex-car bloke View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ex-car bloke Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Feb 12 at 18:20
Hi Delfhill, yes, it's been snowy and icy up here for a while!   Hope all is well with you. 
 
Many thanks for your detailed reply - I think they're the same lights as you describe, so I'll investigate your suggested route.
 
Steve, I wonder if an indie can read fault codes?  I'm miles from a stealer these days but tend to avoid them if I can.
 
All the best,
ECB           2006 SWB 174 window van
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote energysolutions Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Feb 12 at 18:50
Originally posted by Ex-car bloke Ex-car bloke wrote:

Hi Delfhill, yes, it's been snowy and icy up here for a while!   Hope all is well with you. 
 
Many thanks for your detailed reply - I think they're the same lights as you describe, so I'll investigate your suggested route.
 
Steve, I wonder if an indie can read fault codes?  I'm miles from a stealer these days but tend to avoid them if I can.
 
All the best,
 
If they have the full version of VAG COM/VCDS they should be able to read/clear codes
 
 
!!Never Eat Yellow Snow!!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote T5 TDI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Feb 12 at 19:48
Most indies will have Vag-Com or generic scanners like Snapon etc which should no trouble reading codes.
  ABS pumps seem quite a common fault but hopefully it'll be something cheaper.  Ouch
 
Try and get the fault code number and let us know.  Good luck!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ex-car bloke Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Feb 12 at 20:29
Thanks chaps, will keep you posted.  Thumbs Up
ECB           2006 SWB 174 window van
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gregozedobe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Feb 12 at 02:53
If it is the ABS pump then do some research on reco units rather than buying a complete replacement.  

A while back there was a batch with a faulty sensor,  VW were insisting in replacing the whole unit at great expense, then some smart cookies managed to figure out how to replace the faulty sensor (with a  better quality one that would last) for much less cost.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote T5 TDI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Feb 12 at 08:35
Failed ABS sensors/loom breaks can also cause the ABS and ASR lights to come on.  A decent indie should be able to look at the wheel speeds individually recorded live on the road if there are no fault codes.
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Ex-car bloke View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ex-car bloke Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Feb 12 at 11:18
Thanks again guys, plenty to go on there!
ECB           2006 SWB 174 window van
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Onefut Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Feb 12 at 10:36
did you sus it out mate?
God whispers in our soul & speaks to our heart. When we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick.
It's our choice: Listen to the whisper or wait for the brick!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gason Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Feb 12 at 22:36
it could be as stated a faulty sensor or even  a loose connection. I would get a code reader on it and see what comes up , I have another motor which is a jag full of electronics and I have occasionally got  strange codes coming up on the dash , I have even had the car lose power twice on the motorway which was a bit of a freak out, I have had it looked at by 2 specialists now  with no joy and it has never happened in over 9 months. Intermittent faults are he worse to find
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote VW master-tech Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Feb 12 at 23:45
Hi just thought i would throw this into the mix a very common fault with the rear abs sensors is much the same as the famous comfort wiring< my advice get the fault code read if electrical fault is down to one of the rear sensors either get the readings (wheel speed) read find the wheel giving you the fault< on unplugging the sensor a simple voltage check and you should have 12v at the plug if not, remove wheel and wheel arch liner<unclip the loom to where it goes into the body, remove the same side rear lamp with the aid of a beautiful assistant wiggling the loom look through the lamp wiring hole in the body, identify the abs loom and slowly pull the loom through the lamp wiring hole (do not and i repeat do not pull all the way out as it is an absolute fecker to get back through the panels) pull the tape off the loom and you will find a crimped joint (all those that have had no central locking will be familiar with the crimping!) chances are that it has coroded through and snapped or is giving a high resistance.One more thing check under the passenger bench seat as the wiring comes into the storage area there and i have seen on many occasions how you boys love to try and get more stuff under there than in the back and the wiring has got damaged. Hope this helps and you get it sorted.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gregozedobe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Feb 12 at 01:41
^^^ good info, worth knowing that VW use the infamous "crimped electrical join" in other places as well as under the driver's seat (and with similar unsatisfactory results).

One day I must get around to creating an "Index of T5 problems" thread that points to all these sorts of threads with the little gems of information like this.  Sometimes google doesn't find them when I know they are there (usually because I'm using a different word that means the same).
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote T5 TDI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Feb 12 at 20:16
Good thread.  Mastertech is always a good read  Thumbs Up   Any news on yours yet EXB?  If it does turn out to be the pump I found out a few things about coding a new one a while back if you end up buying your own.  They are not all the same.  Embarrassed 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote T5 TDI Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Feb 12 at 20:19
Sorry ECB.  Comes from watching 'Danger UXB' in the seventies!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ex-car bloke Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Mar 12 at 22:30
Originally posted by T5 TDI T5 TDI wrote:

  Any news on yours yet ECB?   
 
Thanks to all you fine chaps, I can take it to the indie on Thursday armed with a hard copy of all your hints and tips.  He's a good guy who doesn't get his ego dented by some collective T5 forum advice now and then!
ECB           2006 SWB 174 window van
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gason Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Mar 12 at 22:13
I have a mate who has been a mechanic for years and  he reckons loads of faults are just bad connections. He suggests pulling all joints and reconnecting does the job sometimes.   
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Maggy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Apr 12 at 20:21
Thank you very much, this tip was VERY helpful!
Just fixed my ABS and Traction control light problem.
I had to cut of a fair bit (about 3-4 inches) of corroded cable and replace it. Soldered in a new bit of cable an put some shrink wrap around the soldering points as I now have 2 joins instead of just one.
Wrapped the whole cable "stem" I had de wrapped with vulcanising butyl tape so it should now be kind of waterproof.
I my opinion it is better to fix the fault instead of buying a new cable coz the new VW original cable would have the same design fault.
Thanks again! 
/Maggy, The (Male) Swede

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Alonline Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Apr 12 at 21:12
VW electrics may not be perfect but are a 1000 times better than a pug car I owned once.
 
Check the sensors behind the discs down at the road, water or corrrison can cause crazy readings upsetting the Brain!
 
I have fixed this sort of thing on a mates scoby, disconnect, blast with switch cleaner, dry with hot air gun not melting connector, blast with GT7 (better verison of WD40) reconnect and then spray with a silcone sealent for ignition systems. Never a problem again for the scoby.
 
He had been charged for new sensors twice before for the same fault!
 
 
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