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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: emy_mk3_gti on 04 September 2012, 13:08

Title: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: emy_mk3_gti on 04 September 2012, 13:08
Hi All.

Wondering if we have any whizz's here regarding brakes/abs.

My ABS light used to intermitantly go out but now stays on all the time (I am well aware that the ABS is not working).

The handbrake light on the dash is also staying on.
The handbrake itself is working fine, isn't sticking and there isn't a huge amount of travel when on.

I believe both lights on suggest an ABS fault.
Front and rear disc and pads still have alot of use left in them.
Front ABS sensors and ABS rings changed about 18months ago.
Would changing the rear ones help?

Last time my GTI was in for a service they had a matey boy from VW test it and he werent able to determine what was causing the fault (which i think is a little ludricous).

So any suggestions most welcome

Cheers

Emy
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: sharki786 on 04 September 2012, 14:10
check you brake fluid as a 1st step. Then get vaj com hooked on it for any errors. Wipe them and check again if they come up again (should tell you which abs sensor it is front or rear) if they still come up get live data from it by having it hooked up and drive (should tell you the speed of each sensor if 1 is lower then the other 1 then clean it and try again) if all fails then its the abs ecu which is common.
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: emy_mk3_gti on 04 September 2012, 14:23

Hi there.

Had a brake fluid service in January so I would hope not that.

And then hook "what" on it for errors? You mean me or take to a garage? (Sorry for being dim)
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: Screech16v on 04 September 2012, 16:38
Buy this it will help you pin point your problem and you will use it over and over  :wink:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/U281-VW-Audi-Skoda-Seat-VAG-CAN-BUS-Fault-Code-Reader-Scanner-diagnostic-tool-UK-/300771386986?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item46075f266a
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: VW BUSH on 04 September 2012, 16:55
Check the little plunger cover on the fluid reservoir is there, they crumble away and the plunger pops up giving you the light on the dash and you have just had it serviced.....Need to make sure this is right as ABS light and Handbrake light can mean a specific fault on certain cars.
As said before, get a code reader ( I have a U281 code reader so can back screech up) they are only £15ish :wink:
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: Screech16v on 04 September 2012, 17:14
From what i gather,he is saying his handbrake light is not also staying on  :laugh:
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: sharki786 on 04 September 2012, 18:17
From what i gather,he is saying his handbrake light is not also staying on  :laugh:
From what i gather,he is saying his handbrake light is not also staying on  :laugh:

hahaha i also thought the same.
Go to a garage and ask for a vaj com (diagnostic) this will connect to the on board computer which logs faults (if there is 1 & in your case there is) it will read it and tell you whats the matter with the abs.
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: brett on 04 September 2012, 18:39
i also have this problem buttttt ,hopefully goin to look at another car saturday  mmm,then it will be decision time on what to do with mine  :undecided:
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: madmanmart on 04 September 2012, 18:50
If your brake fluid is topped up and the handbrake switch is working fine the the light staying on constantly means complete failure of the brake bias system which is controlled by the ABS ECU.

Get the car scanned for fault codes.
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: emy_mk3_gti on 04 September 2012, 18:52

Lol.

Firstly, he is a she :) secondly, I did make a typo there.

Both lights are staying on

:(
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: emy_mk3_gti on 04 September 2012, 18:54
Buy this it will help you pin point your problem and you will use it over and over  :wink:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/U281-VW-Audi-Skoda-Seat-VAG-CAN-BUS-Fault-Code-Reader-Scanner-diagnostic-tool-UK-/300771386986?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item46075f266a

I have just ordered one of those "things". Never heard of one before.

I hope it is easy to suss out :)

Thanks
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: brett on 04 September 2012, 18:58
i'm pretty sure mines the abs ecu as plugged it in other day and only came up with 2 faults ,bout 2hrs later all sensors and the abs pump was showing a fault ,soi think  thats mine fubarred  lol
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: emy_mk3_gti on 04 September 2012, 19:03

Oh bad times :(

I have always had probs with the ABS light (i stick electrical tape over it for the MOTs)

Don't think I will get away with the "tape trick" on the other light though

Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: madmanmart on 04 September 2012, 19:10

Lol.

Firstly, he is a she :) secondly, I did make a typo there.

Both lights are staying on

:(

Yes i did mean both lights staying on  :wink:
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: AcidicDavey on 04 September 2012, 19:10
You won't get away with sticking tape over it any more, all dash lights need to function correctly to get through an MOT even the washer fluid light!  :laugh:
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: emy_mk3_gti on 04 September 2012, 19:17

Ahh really?! When did that change.

Bloke I take my car to always said "if we cant check it then we cant fail it".


Well I have ordered that testy thing of EBAY. Will see what it's reading when it arrives and take it from there then I guess...........
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: AcidicDavey on 04 September 2012, 19:19
Earlier this year I believe, most testers would probably over look this though I imagine if you were friendly with them  :wink:
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: Screech16v on 04 September 2012, 19:28
Apologies emy  :embarrassed:,if both lights are on then as said could point towards a duff abs controller,tbh when the ecu gives up it can throw random fault codes like mine did,the main one being the rear right even though that sensor was all ok,theres a guy on here russ goes by username Tshirt2k who did a great job on my abs ecu a while back ,give him a shout if you dont sort it as trying to find another working ecu with the correct part number is pretty hard,good luck!  :smiley:
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: AcidicDavey on 04 September 2012, 19:32
My handbrake light is constantly on but I think my ABS light has blown as it doesn't self check and it looks a bit knackered!
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: VW BUSH on 04 September 2012, 19:32
Do check the cap on the reservoir, as if you have both lights on for a fault you should not be driving the car as it is dangerous (even ABS light will void MOT in time of a crash) :wink:
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: emy_mk3_gti on 04 September 2012, 19:38

Ok, remembering I know nothing about ABS and brake fluid, where is the reservior cap located? Will check that and then plug this fault reader in to see what that is saying.

I am not using my car alot at the moment anyway.

The fact that "occasionally" and I mean occasionally, the handbrake light does go out again (just not as often), would that point the fault towards any particular direction do you think?

Thanks for everyones help, much appreciated
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: sharki786 on 04 September 2012, 19:41
im pretty sure that i have read somewere that the abs ecu connections can corrode due to moisture and there was a guide somewere to show you how to get it all working again.
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: emy_mk3_gti on 04 September 2012, 19:43

Hi Sharki786,

If you happen to find it, could you poss post a link on here.

Cheers
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: AcidicDavey on 04 September 2012, 20:16
Ok, remembering I know nothing about ABS and brake fluid, where is the reservior cap located? Will check that and then plug this fault reader in to see what that is saying.

Open Bonnet and it's by the driver's side bonnet hinge.
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: sharki786 on 05 September 2012, 18:59
best bet is google golf mk3 faulty abs ecu.
I wouldav done it but im at work and on my mobile phone.

Sorry
Title: Re: ABS Fault/ Brake lights on dash
Post by: emy_mk3_gti on 06 September 2012, 15:35

I changed the oil yesterday and straight away foudn the brake fluid reservoir, was being a dumbass the other day

All looks ok though. The handbrake light had a whole day without coming on at all (apart from when parked obvs).

Then today its on again.

The fault tester should arrive tomorrow, fingers crossed :)

Emy