W124 250 diesel ABS

EireJames

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I was thinking my old E class had no ABS as for one thing it doesn't seem to when driving it and secondly the ABS light on the dash doesn't illuminate when car is started or ever for that matter, but I spotted a big ABS thing under the bonnet a few days ago. Now I still wasn't bothered as the car stops fine and neither my Prelude or its predecessor (Rover 400 diesel) had ABS so I am well used to not having it. But apparently for the car test the ABS light must behave as per manufacturers spec, my owners manual claims it should light up when key is in position 2 and then go out. The book also states that the brakes will function perfectly if the ABS is dodgy but that the ABS will not work. Also there is no mention of an ABS fuse anywhere in the fusebox. Any thoughts folks ??
 

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EireJames

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Thanks for that, ye are a rather helpful bunch over here it has to be said. Is the bulb difficult to get at ??
 

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The bulb is in the cluster and this can be pushed out from the rear to replace it. the chances are that it has been removed to cover up for the fault


Helpful bunch, had not thought about that :rolleyes::D
 
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EireJames

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That's what I was thinking, the brakes seem fine but the NCT folk here are supposed to check the operation of the ABS light if ABS is fitted. Now by that nature of the test I imagine they may not do it to all vehicles as they more than likely forget / couldn't be bothered to.
 

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The cluster is held in by four rubber pads you just need to pull it out evenly, you can do this with the steering wheel in place, when it comes out so far you need to get your fingers behind it to unscrew the speedo cable when you have done that, cluster will come out enough for you to pull the wiring plugs out note where they go, on the 124 you can not push the cluster out from behind . Hope this helps
 
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EireJames

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Splendid, it sounds do able :)
Thanks again gentlemen, it is very much appreciated.
 

television

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Splendid, it sounds do able :)
Thanks again gentlemen, it is very much appreciated.

Every thing on this car is do able, so much back upon this site to help :D:D
 
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EireJames

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Just back from the test centre, failed on a few small things

Battery not secure (same as on myPrelude, I have no luck with these batteries)
Handbrake (reckon I can fix that myself after reading the thread about replacing the disks and pads on W124s on here , only the drivers side is weak)
Headlight aim (both too high, I presumed they were fine as they are both at the same level)
Seatbelt in the back (was under the armrest and the lazy bastad wouldn't move the armrest down to pull it out)

none of the above bothers me and are either free or cheap to fix, in fact the lights is the only one I will have to pay for...

but.......... he failed it on the ABS light, have to sort now, I do hope it is not expensive.

Happy enough though overall, nothing too serious, he also said that she was sound underneath.
 

simon_wall69

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An old Scorpio of mine went through several tests with the ABS removed; don't know if you can do that in Ireland. Hopefully, yours is just the light but I could imagine an unscrupulous seller removing the bulb to hide the fact the ABS is broken.
 
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EireJames

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Hopefully, yours is just the light but I could imagine an unscrupulous seller removing the bulb to hide the fact the ABS is broken.

Defo not just the light, if you stand on the middle pedal the wheels lock up, I reckon the bulb was defo removed. Fingers crossed it's a sensor or loose earth / connection. I do hope it's not the pump.

Still, she flew the test really aside from the few niggles and the ABS.
 

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If the lamp does not light when you turn the key, then there is no bulb in it. the MOT guys test them on the time out, on a MB about 4 to 6 sec
 

brianbrian

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The hand brake does not work from your rear pads, you have a set of shoes inside the rear break drum, adjustment of rear hand brake, you have to take the rear wheel of and poke a screw driver into one of the holes, there is a rachet you need to turn one way for taking brakes up,other way for easing them of, quite easy once you get the hang of it. Hope this helps
 
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EireJames

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Yep, that was detailed in the thread, very uselfull it was too, I reckon the drivers side is much improved after adjusting that. Headlights also aimed down a bit, will more than likely get them set anyway. Dad is getting me a battery bracket tomorrow in a local factors. I have the ABS bulb replaced so it is always on now, the plan is to get a dmm over the weekend and try to find where the problem is.
 

brianbrian

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Follow the abs cable down from where it clips onto the front suspension leg both sides, undo it and clean it, you also have one abs cable that goes to the back axle. Hope this helps let us no how you get on.
 

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Have you checked the OVP relay yet
 
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EireJames

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Nope :Oops:
After adjusting the handbrake on Thursday evening I went looking for it, couldn't even find it to be honest :Oops: Gave up and went for a run as I'm trying to get the weight down. Yesterday was drizzly so I put some pioneer speakers in the back and today is lashing down so I put in a decent head unit (€250 down to €125 so decent ish).

I hope it is the fuse on the relay though, if not I will be following Brian's advice.
 

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