13 replies to this topic

[Trouter]

Help please. Have used the OPCOM diagnostic tool , which reads the 'engine' messages, but does not give any response to the 'ABS' . The ABS light on the dashboard is on. Does this mean a problem with the ECU? Thanks.

[christhegasman]

Not sure but I seem to remember that there are a number of different settings to read the abs and air bags No doubt someone with more knowledge of op com will be along soon

[Whiteboy]

Check wheel sensor and then check in the bonnet area, has it got an abs delete. Have you recently changed or been in the battery area? Steve

[techieboy]

You need to select the chassis diagnostics and not engine diagnostics to read the ABS controller.

[Trouter]

I am expecting to find a fault with the ABS somewhere down the line, I was just expecting the diagnostics to tell me where to look. The abs light comes on for an hour or so , then disappears for a few days, so a bit tricky to find the problem. Because the diagnostic tool is not reading anything on the ABS setting ( yes did find it in the chassis section -thanks), I was just wondering if the fault was more centralised, rather than a specific sensor. Does anyone know if the OPCOM diagnostic tool normally has the capability to identify which specific sensor is failing. If it does, it would suggest to me that it may still be the ECU? I am assuming there are only 3 potential failure points, the ECU, sensors and connecting cables.

[techieboy]

Yes, it will tell you the sensor that has failed (or more likely the wiring to that sensor). Assuming your OBD cable has a properly wired plug on it (and I guess it has, if you've been able to speak to the ABS ECU) then it should be able to narrow down where the fault is. But, I'm pretty sure the ABS controller doesn't records faults that have since cleared, so if the light isn't currently on, there's not a "live" fault for OP-COM to report. If it's intermittent, it's 90% going to be one of the looms to the wheel sensors. If your speedo still worked when the fault was "live" then it wasn't the nearside rear wheel sensor that was a problem, as that provides the speed reading that the main ECU displays on the speedo. Take the wheels and discs off on the other corners and closely examine the wiring in the wheel arches and you'll probably find a cable that's worn through. It usually wears through within 6" - 8" of the ABS sensor itself.

[Trouter]

Some things for me to go check there ... Thank you.

[Trouter]

Ok , I can confirm that the speedo is not working, and that there is damage to the wire where it attaches on the clip that attaches to the ABS sensor assembly on the rear near side wheel. Tried to solder the wire back into the clip, but without success. So need to find a new clip, or a new wire and clip. The Lotus dealers and Vauxhall dealers do not seem to have a wire from the main loom to the wheel showing on their parts catalogue for the VX or Elise S2. Does anyone know the part number I need? Do I need to replace the whole of the rear loom?( that appears to link the 2 rear wheels and some off shoots to the rear lights) Can I just get a new clip? A Vauxhall parts guy suggested that it is the same clip as an Astra G ... Whatever that is? Help ...I seem to have nowhere to go ..! Thanks.

[Duncan VXR]

Pm on of the gang who break vx's or short term fix some small spade connectors and push on ;-) Worth getting plug and wire and joining back up correctly in the long run Iirc hub / abs is the same as te astra g so could go scrap yard and cut one off ;-) DG

[Trouter]

Thanks Duncan.

[Rosssco]

Better that its broken at that connector, as my wires snapped off at the hub, with just little wire stubs left on the hub side. So ended up needing to replace the hub, even though mechanically it was fine..

[Trouter]

Just in case you want to know what an Astra G is ...see this link. http://en.wikipedia....E2.80.932004.29 Life is just full of learning opportunities !!!

[Trouter]

Managed to fix the connector, but the ABS light stayed on. A bit more checking all the connections, and found a faulty connection into the base of the fuse box ... And the problem was solved. Thanks again to everybody for the support and advice.