Abs, airbag, handbrake: The warning lights of no reason?

[Skred]

I concede to the forum wisdom again...

Mark III, 16valver - I bought her as a non-runner and am trying to return her to the road to join the rest of the pack after being off the road for a while so, in the attempt and put her through an MOT, am trying to iron out the niggles before the test.

Okay, upon starting the car the ABS light, the airbag light, and the handbrake light all remain on. After two/three seconds the ABS light and the airbag light will dim slightly but will not go off. When the handbrake is released it too will dim slightly but not go off. So, when driving along with the handbrake off there are the three dash lights illuminated. To attempt to understand why, I popped off the ABS/Airbag panel and 2 of the 6 wires were snipped which I reconnected but for no difference.

However, when I disconnect the ABS/airbag panel they go off (as expected) but the handbrake light returns to normal i.e. off when off, on when on. Confuddled is what I am!

Obviously until I get this sorted I can't put her for the MOT so does anyone know what I am dealing with?

[dom]

You scanned it with a VAG COM?

[Skred]

So is that the next step? Scan, clear and try again?

[Wayne]

So is that the next step? Scan, clear and try again?

Yep, see what / if any codes stored.

[gover87]

Have exactly same prob on myn, got it diagnosed and it say rear left and rear right speed sensors which i presume is abs sensors??? Or am i wrong? But y does the airbag light come on to  :-€

[stew72]

This sounds very familiar. What year is the car?

The handbrake light along with the abs light can indicate a fault with the breaking system. Take it for a drive and try the brakes firmly, my guess is the abs won't work and the rear brakes will lock up way too easily.

Let us know how you get on.

[gover87]

Its a 95 and yeah it duz wot u say, 2rear sensors 54quid includin vat from gsf, 20quid each of ebay then u got p+p so nt much difference. Worth a try anyway :-)

[Skred]

Let us know how you get on Gover cos I need to scan my wagon with the Vagcom first which ebay is sending me. Then I'm gonna try to clear it and start again. May as well start from the beginning and at least I know I'm dealing with a current problem...

[gover87]

Wil do mate, tried clearin the fault code utha day but lights just come bk on. So new sensors it is

[stew72]

Its a 95 and yeah it duz wot u say, 2rear sensors 54quid includin vat from gsf, 20quid each of ebay then u got p+p so nt much difference. Worth a try anyway :-)

if the rear brakes lock up easily then get it scanned with vagcom for the faults. My car had the incorrect ecu fitted, once I found the right one (lots of hassle and expense) everything was fine. You could have the wrong or faulty ecu.

What are your ecu and pump part numbers, I've still got a record of all the options somewhere.