GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: John W on 17 December 2012, 10:38
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Hello all
New here. Have recently bought a MK3 GTI 8 valve 5 door to use as my winter car. High mileage but a nice car to drive. So far, faults have been limited to the noisy reverse gear ( :rolleyes:) and non functioning rear electric windows.
Anyhow, this morning, I accidentally drove through a large puddle (lake!) with my drivers front wheel. A short while later, I noticed that the ABS warning light was on. I'm assuming the two things are related......
So I did some research, and from what I can gather (and please DO correct me if i'm wrong!) an amber ABS light is a minor fault and a red ABS light is a major one-is that right? Mine is amber.
So assuming I have a wet or dirty sensor, do I need to get anything reset or will the light just go off when the fault is sorted? Is the wet sensor likely to be the problem?
Many thanks for your advice!
John
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Hi Welcome along,
Right have you plugged it in vag-com yet?, If no do that and it will tell you which sensor is playing up and you can then go about sorting it out. by replacing the sensor or just check to see if the wiring is brittle. My sensor plug was shot, and that bought a abs fault light on...
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Give it a day or two to see if it corrects it self. As you say it's wet or got a bit of dirt on it. If it doesn't go away after couple of days, jack car up take the wheel off and clean the abs sensor.
Also disconnect the battery for 10 mins.
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Great-thanks guys. I'll try the waiting/battery disconnect first. What is Vag-com and how do I get it?
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You can also test the abs sensors using a meter via the ecu. Should be some info on here about doing that if you don't know anyone with vag com.
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Hmm...been looking at Vag.com stuff on fleabay. Is it REALLY as easy as that-buy a cable with moody software CD for £30 and plug it in ?
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Hmm...been looking at Vag.com stuff on fleabay. Is it REALLY as easy as that-buy a cable with moody software CD for £30 and plug it in ?
As far as i know, the cable on ebay will not bring up majority of the faults and it'll be waste of money, You need to buy the proper cable & get the proper software from ross-tech i believe?
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>So I did some research, and from what I can gather (and please DO correct me if i'm wrong!) an amber ABS light is a minor fault and a red ABS light is a major one-is that right? Mine is amber.
You only get an amber light on the mk3! As I understand it, a light which either (a) doesn't "self test" and go off, or (b) stays on is now an MOT fail.
I.e. if its fitted it must work.
Sounds like you've killed a sensor. Oh well. Yes unless there is an obvious issue (i.e. short circuit or plug full of water!) then you need VCDS to tell which sensor is faulty and is triggering the light.
James
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Also an illuminated amber light will mean your abs has been disabled, which will usually result in your back wheels locking up in the event of a emergency stop so be careful out there.
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http://www.amazon.co.uk/U281-OBD-2-CAN-BUS-SCANNER-SKODA/dp/B001C9V89A
all you need for a Mk3
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man is it just as good as vag?
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Man; is it just as good as vag?
Is it just me or with some extra punctuation can the meaning of this be completely changed?
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what about the cheapy stuff from hong kong for a quid on ebay and a laptop? anyone ever used that?
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does that read the ABS controller? I thought the cheap ones only did the ECU?
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does that read the ABS controller? I thought the cheap ones only did the ECU?
Does the lot and resets/clears, I have only needed vagcom once for calibration of the throttle body :smiley:
These guys aint the cheapest but sell all readers and will give you advice, I have a super duper one which does all cars from 96 to present day. I bought it for my dad but he only understands steam and coal :grin:
http://www.talktomycar.co.uk/products/codereaders/codereaders.htm
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Thanks guys. Turns out it's definitely water-related. The light went out soon afterwards and only came back on when I went through yet another lake with the nearside wheel this time! This too went out after a day. I think I need to get the vaseline out and insulate those sensor connectors! :grin:
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Is this just as good as the reader on the Amazon link? I have a spare laptop so I am not bothered about having a handheld unit...:)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OBD2-OBDII-VAG-COM-USB-Cable-Auto-Car-Diagnostic-Scanner-For-KKL-409-1-VW-AUDI-/181050426181?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item2a27724345#shId
Or is this much much better?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/U281-Universal-VAG-CAN-BUS-Fault-Code-Reader-Scanner-diagnostic-scan-tool-/290743380164?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item43b1a7e8c4
(same as the amazon link, just a few quid cheaper..:)
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Ive got the bottom one ,used it lots and lots ,great little scanner,think the cheap leads are dodgy :wink:
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Thanks for the advice..will order this scanner and use the money santa claus brought to enjoy it!
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The mk3 has a design flaw that means the ABS loom and the crank sensor and coil share a bundle of cables. In damp weather this produces interference. I've been looking for the notice online that detailed it - if i find it i'll post it here. In a nutshell - let it dry out and clear the code. You can separate the looms and tie one to the side (against strut housing) but it's a lot of effort - I never bothered.
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ABS LAMP COMES ON
MODELS AFFECTED :
Petrol engines, all - except VR6
FAULT:
ABS lamp comes on, fault code 01276.
CAUSE :
When the ABS cable loom is damp and the vehicle is operating at high engine speed leakage current of the ignition coil gets into the suppressor of the pump sensor cable.
SOLUTION:
Change the routing of the pump sensor cable. Route the ABS pump sensor cable and engine speed sensor cable away from the ignition transformer to the arch by unwrapping the engine speed sensor cable and pump sensor cable to the arch. Wrapping up the pump sensor cable without engine speed sensor.
Rerouting the engine speed sensor cable on the bulkhead. Routing the pump sensor cable and fastening it with existing cable binder to suspension strut housing.
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where are these things located??any pics?
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Just get it scanned,that will tell you exactly whats up :smiley:
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So there really isn't a way of telling which sensor is to blame without paying for diagnostics? I have had other cars that could be decoded with a test lamp! Suppose I'll have to bite the bullet and take all the wheels off......
The problem persists but is very patchy-sometimes it will go for days without lighting, sometimes it stays lit for a day and sometimes it will come on and off two or three times in a journey. Not always water related now.
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Ive got the bottom one ,used it lots and lots ,great little scanner,think the cheap leads are dodgy :wink:
So will this pinpoint which sensor is faulty?
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Yes they should as long as they can read the ABS ECU control unit. You'll get a code like:
Address 03: ABS Brakes Labels: 3A0-907-379.lbl
Control Module Part Number: 3A0 907 379 D
Component and/or Version: ABS ITTAE 20 GI V00
Software Coding: 03704
Work Shop Code: WSC 00000
VCID: 2B514ECFF379
1 Fault Found:
00287 - ABS Wheel Speed Sensor; Rear Right (G44)
35-00 - -
Thats from the VCDS cable and software.
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Ive got the bottom one ,used it lots and lots ,great little scanner,think the cheap leads are dodgy :wink:
So will this pinpoint which sensor is faulty?
Yes it will give you the dtc code like the one above 00287, you then look it up in the book that comes with it.