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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: hoofey on 29 April 2013, 17:27

Title: 96 8v golf gti abs problems!
Post by: hoofey on 29 April 2013, 17:27
Hi everyone.  Ive just joined after reading though all the threads but not getting the anwser im after. Im currently fighting with my abs ( a common fault it appears! :(  ) Any way ive changed all the wheel sensors but still the abs warning light is on all the time (as is the air bag warning light! ) the handbrake warning light (which was on all the time) has now started to go off after a couple os seconds after turning on the ignition so I think im going in the right direction. (this happened after the change of the rear sensors)

What i want to know is do i need to clear fault codes to get the abs light to go off  or will it do that anyway because ive changed the sensors (if that was the fault?) and where is the abs ecu located? Ive done all this without a vag diagnostic i went along the lines £40 to change all sensors or £70 to take it to be connected at the vw garage so its all guess work on my part im afraid.

Any help would be appreciated! thanks  :smiley:
Title: Re: 96 8v golf gti abs problems!
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 29 April 2013, 17:45
Buy your own vagcom code reader for starters fella,  you can get them for about £25 and you can wipe the ecu of any fault codes and see exactly what's going on and what actually needs fixing.
Title: Re: 96 8v golf gti abs problems!
Post by: itavaltalainen on 29 April 2013, 17:57
changing parts without first checking fault codes if any light is on in a car is always a daft idea since you don't know if it will fix the problem or is money down the drain....

Title: Re: 96 8v golf gti abs problems!
Post by: hoofey on 29 April 2013, 18:15
Cheers guys!! any recommendations for the best place to get a vagcom code reader from I think you are right and that is the best way forward for now! :)
Title: Re: 96 8v golf gti abs problems!
Post by: Screech16v on 29 April 2013, 18:18
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=u281&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=8295091809&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=628449&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16082320601599176895&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_6k847mrdby_b  :smiley:

I have the one at the top, but the second one down looks interesting at that price!
Title: Re: 96 8v golf gti abs problems!
Post by: hoofey on 29 April 2013, 18:23
Brilliant thanx I will look into getting one! :smiley:

 As an aside where abouts is the abs ecu located? Is it stuck under the master cylinder? Ive found all the fuses n relay for the abs but the ecu seems to have eluded me so far!! :(
Title: Re: 96 8v golf gti abs problems!
Post by: Screech16v on 29 April 2013, 18:26
Its under the pump block on the right below the coolant res .
Title: Re: 96 8v golf gti abs problems!
Post by: hoofey on 29 April 2013, 18:30
Brilliant thank you!!  :smiley: Im still looking at the vag com readers.. I shouldve bought one years ago!!  :sad:
Title: Re: 96 8v golf gti abs problems!
Post by: Screech16v on 29 April 2013, 18:33
Yeah for the price of them they can and will save you and your mates hundreds!   :smiley:
Title: Re: 96 8v golf gti abs problems!
Post by: itavaltalainen on 29 April 2013, 18:36
I am selling mine if you need it. Built myself one for the fun of it and not using the other one anymore.
Title: Re: 96 8v golf gti abs problems!
Post by: hoofey on 29 April 2013, 18:39
Screech my cheepskate head is saying go for the second one down... but if you are happy with the one youve got I think Im gonna plump for ther tried n tested one!! For the extra 10 bucks something recomended is worth it I think!! :)

Itaval what you selling a vagcom?
Title: Re: 96 8v golf gti abs problems!
Post by: Screech16v on 29 April 2013, 18:48
Get your cheepskate head on fella ,the 6th and 8th one down is the same as the top one lol
Title: Re: 96 8v golf gti abs problems!
Post by: itavaltalainen on 29 April 2013, 18:50
I am selling the cable, its a AutoDia K409.

http://www.autodia.de/produkte/autodia-k409/technische-daten

my vcds lite licence can't be sold ;) it's activated for my PC only
Title: Re: 96 8v golf gti abs problems!
Post by: hoofey on 29 April 2013, 18:59
Screech thanx for your help and advice mate!! (after the weekend ive had I needed some positive vibes!! :) ) Im gonna plump for your first choice and will report back later how i get on! it seems these abs probs are the norm so any reports of what probs we have and how we resolve them will be hepfull for anyone searching for the first time! ..

Itavia Im gonna play safe mate and get the sort of thing screech is using. im just after a simples help because after this weekend my brain is fried and i was close to sending her to the scrap yard in the sky!! :(


We are still onna have to use the bus as an everyday (and work veh for the wife) while i sort this!! :( No ecu on that thing!! :)
Title: Re: 96 8v golf gti abs problems!
Post by: Screech16v on 29 April 2013, 19:09
No probs mate,loads on here have that scanner ,ive used it so many times ,so handy to just leave in the glove box aswell,it should come with a book so you can look up the codes you get,its even picked up codes from newer vehicles that arnt even in the book but a quick google will put you right,good luck with the abs dude.