2006 vantage no brakes ABS module -HELP

[leerandle]

So, after having my car in my garage over winter working on various jobs, rear subframe, exhaust, brake upgrade etc I went to bleed the brakes today. Although I can bleed them of the bubbles, still getting a sort brake peddle. I think its because I let the resoviour and possibly the abs module go empty.
Silly error to make, but now stuck with my car and no brakes with the abs light on the dash.
Any ideas how to fix before I discuss with one of the indie garages as I believe you need the amds software for the abs module.
All advice appreciated (except anyone who mentions driving it somewhere and trying to activate the abs module lol).

[embdenb]

Are you using a pressure bleeder or having the wife pump the brake pedal?

[leerandle]

I used a pressure bleeder, did them all yesterday and had another go this morning as well (just in case). No change whatsoever. No leaks as pressure bleeder stayed constant, plus no drips at any joints/nipples etc.

[TR-Spider]

I remember a thread (6speed I asume), where someone with a similar issue untied/loosened the line connections to the ABS module and bled backwards from the wheel side. Seemed to have worked for him at the time.

[leerandle]

I think I read that somewhere as well.

I'm going to try bleeding the master cylinder first, followed by maybe vacuum bleeding from the caliper side and failing that try the ABS module method.

At the end of the day, if all else fails I will have to arrange getting the car to someone with an AMDS tool.

[ian448]

I had the same issue having accidently letting the abs pump run dry, it literaly took around 2- 3 days to bleed the brakes and I must have flushed 3 litres of fluid through each caliper to get all the air out. Just keep persevering

[Genie Chaser]

There is a bleed screw on the master cylinder. Bleed that first then all the brakes 👍

[leerandle]

So I bled the master cylinder last night and then all the other brakes again and now have a 'firm' peddle. Safe enough for me to tax the vehicle and just do some gentle stop starts in the cul-de-sac. I'll recheck them all later and go for a more spirited drive. Also, the ABS light went off the dash, so fingers crossed its all sorted now. Just a couple of other jobs to sort and see's good to go for summer !!

[paulrog1]

Great the car brakes are getting better, you should never let the system dry out.

When i took my engine out last year I purchased some blanks to ensure things were ok.

[Go60 Jay]

That’s great news. I’m really pleased it got sorted and with just a loss of time and not a huge loss of expense.

John

[snotrag]

leerandle said:

So I bled the master cylinder last night and then all the other brakes again and now have a 'firm' peddle. Safe enough for me to tax the vehicle and just do some gentle stop starts in the cul-de-sac. I'll recheck them all later and go for a more spirited drive. Also, the ABS light went off the dash, so fingers crossed its all sorted now. Just a couple of other jobs to sort and see's good to go for summer !!

I've been in this exact predicament with a BMW - ABS module run dry, struggled to bleed it for ages uses all the proper kit.

BMW diagnostic software is able to shuttle the solenoid valves in the ABS module, however we could never get it to work (hooky software off the web in German).

What worked in the end - believe it or not - once there was 'a' pedal, (safe enough to take the car on the road, but far from correct, spongy still)...

Go out, find a quiet road - jam on the brakes as hard as possible to fire the ABS. Try and activate it on all 4 corners through careful wheel placement. Doing this on grass would also help.

I did that a few times, this then dislodged the bubbles in the ABS solenoid/shuttle valves, re-bled and I got a perfect firm pedal.

[leerandle]

Thanks for all the help and support !!

Just got handbrake adjustment (binding on one side more than the other) and then its booked in for 4 wheel alignment next week (I'll try and get the wheels pointing in the general right direction as the drive the other night proved how badly the camber/castor/toe must be at the moment)