ABS Light on W124

[sowlerthjh]

Hello All,

I have recently purchased a 1990 300D with 174k miles. It has been going well and has only needed new front springs, and a new rear brake pin.

However, after about two minutes of driving, the ABS light now comes on, and stays on permanently.
1. Does this mean that the ABS light system has failed, or could it be a faulty bulb?
2. Is this a common problem and how can it be fixed? How much will it cost?
3. Would the replacement of the rear brake pin have caused the problem?

Any help would be much appreciated

Regards

sowlerthjh

 

[Mikesmerc]

I have the same problem, the ABS does not work when this light is on, could be a fault with one of the sensors. Its difficult to find out which one is causing it if any. Im sure someone will sort it out for you
Regards
Mike

 

[jberks]

Hi,
Yes it probably means that the ABS has failed in some way. Easy test though, wait for the light to come on, go somewhere quiet and stand on the brakes. If it skids, there's your answer. I suspect (though Im not an expert) that it's likely to be a wheel speed sensor playing up. As they are telling the computer that the wheels are running at excessively different speeds, the comp doesn't know whats going on and switches itself off (hence the 2 mins of driving first). Its an MOT failure so you'll have to get it sorted. I don't know if diagnosing the sensors is a DIY job, or requires specialised kit (experts ?). Also, there may be a cause for the failure e.g. Ford Granadas used to kill ABS sensors when the wheel bearings wore beyond a certain point (cost me 3 sensors to find that out!), even though the bearings were still ok from their own point of view.
The only other thing I can think of is that the newer shape E with BAS, ESP,ABS etc have a recurrent fault with the brake light switch that causes all the acronyms to switch off and light up the dash like a christmas tree. Cheap fix if it is, but I don't know if this affects 1990 E's .

 

[sowlerthjh]

Thanks for the help.

I tried braking hard, and the wheels did lock.

I took the car to an AA/Halfords garage, and they cleaned the sensors. Then they disconnected the battery and left the car for half an hour to "reset the system".

The light no longer comes on (touch wood!)

 

[mesium]

ABS Light

I had the same problem with my 300D. Check all of your bulbs. Once I replaced a burned out taillight bulb, the ABS light went out? I'm not sure if the ABS was ever disabled or not as I never tested it while the light was out, but it works fine now.