ABS Warning light

[Simon Wigley]

My 1993 300te has the ABS warning light showing on the dash. I know the ABS is working as it can be felt when breaking - is there a common fault that's easily fixed, or is it something more sinister?

Thanks if you're able to assist!

 

[television]

My 1993 300te has the ABS warning light showing on the dash. I know the ABS is working as it can be felt when breaking - is there a common fault that's easily fixed, or is it something more sinister?

Thanks if you're able to assist!

Are you sure Simon that it is the ABS lamp that is on, as the lamp is so wired that it cant work if it is illuminated

 

[Hibbo]

As Malcolm said, I thought that when the lamp was on the ABS wouldn't function?

Anyway, when does it come on? Only above certain speeds or as soon as you start her up?

First thing to do is to clean the sensors, they are easily got at on the front hubs, but I think the rear one is on the diff.

I think this can also be caused by the good ol' OverVoltage Protection Relay. (do a search for OVP)

hope this helps.

 

[television]

The reason for my answer was that the lamp is wired to the high pressure pump, light on = no high pressure = no ABS

 

[Simon Wigley]

Definately the ABS warning light: it says ABS

Like I said, i know it works, you can feel it when you brake!

Just wondered if you knew of a simple way of testing it?

I only bought the car last week from someone I know, he had it serviced recently (i've seen the paperwork) & they could find no fault with it.....!

It's just a little annoying & obviously slightly worrying!

Thanks for your help T.V.

S

 

[television]

Definately the ABS warning light: it says ABS

Like I said, i know it works, you can feel it when you brake!

Just wondered if you knew of a simple way of testing it?

I only bought the car last week from someone I know, he had it serviced recently (i've seen the paperwork) & they could find no fault with it.....!

It's just a little annoying & obviously slightly worrying!

Thanks for your help T.V.

S

Simon, I am not saying this is the case, but we had a car last year where the lamps had been interchanged to mask another fault. The car will not pass the MOT with this lamp on

 

[Simon Wigley]

Thanks guys, I'll try cleaning the sensors (and will check the condition of the wiring to each) any idea where I'll find the OVP - Is there a test that can be performed on it, or do I just buy a new one (assuming it doesn't cost mega bucks?)

It comes on as soon as you start the car & stay on - never goes off!

S

 

[Hibbo]

Thanks guys, I'll try cleaning the sensors (and will check the condition of the wiring to each) any idea where I'll find the OVP - Is there a test that can be performed on it, or do I just buy a new one (assuming it doesn't cost mega bucks?)

It comes on as soon as you start the car & stay on - never goes off!

S

Have you got a blown bulb?

 

[Simon Wigley]

What sort of blown bulb - do you mean on the dashboard or generally on the car?

Now you mention it, the light to indicate I have a blown bulb (next to the ABS warning light) always comes on when i turn the lights on - but there are no bulbs that do not work (I thought there must be a loose connection somewhere): do you think there is a link between the 2 faults?

This gets more & more spooky!

Thanks

S

 

[television]

What sort of blown bulb - do you mean on the dashboard or generally on the car?

Now you mention it, the light to indicate I have a blown bulb (next to the ABS warning light) always comes on when i turn the lights on - but there are no bulbs that do not work (I thought there must be a loose connection somewhere): do you think there is a link between the 2 faults?

This gets more & more spooky!

Thanks

S

Hibbo has a better memory than me, if the bulb warning lamp goes off when the engine starts, then the 2 lamps are in the wrong holes and you have no fault with the ABS

 

[Simon Wigley]

Bulb warning light doesn't go off when you start the car, only when you turn the lights on........?

 

[television]

Bulb warning light doesn't go off when you start the car, only when you turn the lights on........?

thats odd and backwards too

 

[Blobcat]

I think Hibbo is suggesting replacing the ABS warning light in the dash with a blown bulb. Just for testing purposes that is ;-)

 

[television]

I think Hibbo is suggesting replacing the ABS warning light in the dash with a blown bulb. Just for testing purposes that is ;-)

Am I missing something here, its easier to leave a lamp out than replace it with a dud one, but I still do not get the reasoning

 

[Myros]

I'm confused, as Simon says he can feel the ABS

working when he brakes. just how hard is he pressing the breake pedal to get the ABS to kick in? Maybe the brakes themselves are rough/out of true and that's what Simon thinks he feels as the ABS working?

 

[television]

working when he brakes. just how hard is he pressing the breake pedal to get the ABS to kick in? Maybe the brakes themselves are rough/out of true and that's what Simon thinks he feels as the ABS working?

I feel the same as you, for if the real ABS lamp is on, then the High pressure pump cannot be working and no ABS

 

[hmang]

abs activation feels pretty distinctive though.

difficult to confuse with warped discs i'd say.

 

[Simon Wigley]

Thanks for all your ideas guys - I'll have the wheels off this weekend & report my findings next week!

Kindest regards

S