ABS Fault Codes Using Torque App

[Automattick]

Hello all,

Over the last few weeks I have been doing some maintenance on my VXR8.

I've fixed the rear indicator as 80% of the bulbs were blown or very dim, only to find someone had been there previously and damaged the casing and then instead of replacing the bulbs they bypassed the blown ones by bridging the circuits for the bulbs to make them bright. I have one word to describe whoever did that but I probably shouldn't repeat it on here.

Replaced my Starter motor as I was having intermittent clicking when trying to start every few weeks. And while I did the starter motor I replaced the crank sensor as I had a code previously, again it was an intermittent problem and I think may well have been caused by the battery but I had previously bought the parts so did them anyway.

Anyway, onto the main point.

I have recently developed (2 weeks) an abs fault which appears as:
- traction control off
- ABS Fault
On the system check when the ignition is turned on.

My bluetooth code reader using torque app has given me the following codes:

C1234 - Chassis
C1209 - Chassis
B2AAA - Body

After searching I have found a few threads e.g. http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=150...

Which stated that it was the front right wheel speed sensor, I went ahead and checked the loom and continuity exists. Just incase, I've checked the rear loom visually for any breaks and checked all plugs.

Me and my brother in law have been in contact with Monkfish quite a few times who have been a great help and checked the codes I supplied and eventually we decided I needed a new front hub. I havn't contacted them any further as I don't want to over do itas I know they are busy.

So new front hub fitted on Saturday and the code was still there and has been all week. I was hoping that because the code has been there for a little while it may be a historic code and need so many ignition cycles (50) to clear. I can not clear it with my torque app.

Now today I called into the petrol station and filled up, started the car up to leave and thought...."great, the abs light has gone off" and then the traction control said it was active about 15-20 seconds after starting.

Drove about 50 meters and the traction control turned off then abs fault came up and I'm back to square one.

PS:
Anyone heard of or used a - LAUNCH CREADER VIII DTC Code Reader Auto Diagnostic ABS SRS Engine Scanner OBDII.
If you put that in google you shuld find them on ebay and a few sites, apparently they can do srs and abs codes and information including graph data etc... but I don't know if it would be anygood for our cars.

Am I stuck with requiring a tech 2?


Any help would be appreciated, I just hope its not the ABS module otherwise the car can go to the scrap yard .

[Automattick]

Hi all,
Thanks for the replies and offer but i think that may be a tad far but maybe when i have no alternative.

I've tried today to see if the torque app could provide live data for the wheel speed sensors but all four just dont show up as green and provide no data so im assuming that it cant read them.

Today i disconnected each sensor individually to see what codes came up.

Disconnected front drivers, same code stays, reconnected it.

Disconnected rear drivers, and two new codes appeared plus a contact dealer warning. Codes were C1235 and C1210, reconnected.

Disconnected passenger rear and no nee codes appeared. Nothing, which i thought was strange.

Disconnected front passengers and again no new codes at all.

Ps. A few weeks ago i tested the abs and one of the drivers side wheels did lock which again points me at the drivers front.

Any idea apart from tech 2 any code readers that can get me more info and clear permenant codes once the issue is fixed.

Thanks in advance,
Chris

[Automattick]

Hi again,

Well I can no further with this until I get the real code because I am assuming that what i'm getting thrpugh torque is wrong. Although I now have a permenant throttle body sensor P code which i can not clear but that's been intermittent since I bought the car. In my two years of ownership, it appeared like 3 times so I did not get a replacement TB.

I'm wondering if that could some how be causing my dodgy abs but I doubt it.

Anyway,
I'm either going to have to go to a garage with tech 2 or cough up for either a clone or a different code reader but judging by comments other readers may not be anygood either.

I did have a look at hp tuners but apparently that can not read abs?

So I still like the look of the Launch CRP129 CReader Professional.
I'm not sure if I can link it on here but if you go to the launch UK website and drill down to the spreadsheet of cars it supports, the VXR8 is listed and states it does the following:

Vauxhall_VXR8
MODULE.........SYSTEM.....SYS Info.....Read Code...Clear Code....Data stream
Transmission....AT..................y.................y...............y...............y
Chassis.........EBCM...............y.................y...............y...............y
Body............SDM..................y.................y...............y...............y

I'd get this if I new it would work as I can use it for all other cars which would be a bonus over a manufacterer specific tool.

PS: not sure what ebcm is hoping electronic brake control module lol

Cheers,
Chris

Edited by Automattick on Tuesday 20th October 21:59

Edited by Automattick on Tuesday 20th October 22:06

[Automattick]

Great,

Thanks Steve,
I will let you know what I find out, if I get any new scan tools or what the garages find out.

I think Cardiff or Newport has a VX dealer who work with VXR8's so I'll try and sort something out.

[Automattick]

Hi all,

Just to let you know, i emailed launch uk about what the device can do with our cars and this is there reply:

"The CRP129 will only read/erase fault codes from Engine, ABS, Transmission & SRS.

This tool will diagnose your ABS system, however Chassis & Body modules are not supported on this item."

What do you think?
I have asked them if it doesn't work can i return but that may be a long shot.

Cheers,
Chris

[Automattick]

Thanks Steve, thats what im hoping to do with the launch but looking at their site i think they are in plymouth.

So anyone local with an ABS problem would be an ideal test

[Automattick]

Hi all,

Thanks bearman68, i'll send you a pm now.

Thanks,
Chris

[Automattick]

Hey all,

Just thought I'd update this issue as I'd hate it if someone else has a similar problem and this threat never provided a possible solution.

Well my local friendly garage had one of the higher launch models which he gave me to read my car and straight away came up with the correct codes and pointed me at the right sensor (rear Passenger).

So after all the hassle and a new front hub I've learned my lesson and won't be trusting any of the cheaper code readers for anything other than generic codes.

To be sure, I tested the sensor using a multimeter again after looking at a video off someone testing a commodore wheel speed sensor using the resistance/continuity setting.
Straight away had the same result as the video where a working sensor prevented flow and dodgy sensor showed constant flow.
So a new sensor from MF and the next day, once I got the new one in turned the key for a sysytem check and the light went off straight away... yay.

So in reflection and ironically, be carefull what you read on forums regarding codes and others experience as it can lead you in the wrong direction.

Hope this turns out to be useful and I'd like to thank everyone for their input and the great offer I had from Bearman too .
Thanks.