SKODA FABIA 2008 1.4 TDI - ABS FAULT
Discussion
Hello there just after a bit of help where possible,
We have a SKODA FABIA 2008 1.4 TDI. Lovely car and I adore the little three cylinder engine, we also have the 2.0 version in an A4 so big fans of VAG cars and TDI engines.
The Fabia has an on-going ABS light that intermittently comes on an off and has done for over 18 months. So I have had an 18month long project trying to rectify it, it was OFF for the MOT in November, just by chance, so it passed but I really don't like leaving things to chance so want to get this sorted for future MOTs.
1. ( Of note - I could see in its paperwork a year before we bought car it had a R/N/S ABS sensor replaced). When the light first came on I took it to Skoda for a health check etc who plugged it in and they advised it needed a new R/N/S hub and ABS sensor. The quote was quite high so we paid a mobile mechanic to change this. Light was extinguished for a while but then came back on a month or so later.
2. Months later we took to different garage for an MOT and although it passed we asked them to investigate the intermitted fault, they advised the fault was coming back to the same ABS sensor through their diagnostics, they proposed that the rear brake cylinder was leaking onto hub causing fault, so we replaced both rear drum brakes, the full internals and externals which cost a bit of money. ABS light cleared for a bit then came back on.
3. We recently approached an auto electrician who completed diagnostics which advised the R/N/S hub reading was implausible, they suspected the Sensor and hub fitted by the mobile mechanic were very cheap parts used so they replaced with Bosch sensor and continental hub. When they changed the parts and put through their live diagnostic machine the readings appeared to be rectified. However, a few days later the light came back on. This is the point we are at now, highly frustrating.
Sometime we turn the car on and the light is not on, sometimes it just comes on after 5 minutes. I appreciate I haven't listed any fault codes with this post, but various difference diagnostic tools have been used which of course use their own codes systems, but ultimately they all point to the ABS R/N/S sensor being faulty.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Could it be a case of having to get a new ABS pump or getting the one inside the car removed and re-conditioned? This is quite pricey if so and the car has 119k on the clock so I'm sure we would spend the money on the car, which does seem a shame as other than this issue its great. Could an ABS pump fail on just one outlet?
Any advice or previous experience would be appreciated here, we don't want to keep throwing money at it but at the same time, surely this is something that's is rectifiable!
Yours hopefully, Sam
We have a SKODA FABIA 2008 1.4 TDI. Lovely car and I adore the little three cylinder engine, we also have the 2.0 version in an A4 so big fans of VAG cars and TDI engines.
The Fabia has an on-going ABS light that intermittently comes on an off and has done for over 18 months. So I have had an 18month long project trying to rectify it, it was OFF for the MOT in November, just by chance, so it passed but I really don't like leaving things to chance so want to get this sorted for future MOTs.
1. ( Of note - I could see in its paperwork a year before we bought car it had a R/N/S ABS sensor replaced). When the light first came on I took it to Skoda for a health check etc who plugged it in and they advised it needed a new R/N/S hub and ABS sensor. The quote was quite high so we paid a mobile mechanic to change this. Light was extinguished for a while but then came back on a month or so later.
2. Months later we took to different garage for an MOT and although it passed we asked them to investigate the intermitted fault, they advised the fault was coming back to the same ABS sensor through their diagnostics, they proposed that the rear brake cylinder was leaking onto hub causing fault, so we replaced both rear drum brakes, the full internals and externals which cost a bit of money. ABS light cleared for a bit then came back on.
3. We recently approached an auto electrician who completed diagnostics which advised the R/N/S hub reading was implausible, they suspected the Sensor and hub fitted by the mobile mechanic were very cheap parts used so they replaced with Bosch sensor and continental hub. When they changed the parts and put through their live diagnostic machine the readings appeared to be rectified. However, a few days later the light came back on. This is the point we are at now, highly frustrating.
Sometime we turn the car on and the light is not on, sometimes it just comes on after 5 minutes. I appreciate I haven't listed any fault codes with this post, but various difference diagnostic tools have been used which of course use their own codes systems, but ultimately they all point to the ABS R/N/S sensor being faulty.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Could it be a case of having to get a new ABS pump or getting the one inside the car removed and re-conditioned? This is quite pricey if so and the car has 119k on the clock so I'm sure we would spend the money on the car, which does seem a shame as other than this issue its great. Could an ABS pump fail on just one outlet?
Any advice or previous experience would be appreciated here, we don't want to keep throwing money at it but at the same time, surely this is something that's is rectifiable!
Yours hopefully, Sam
Get your spanners out, or buy some.
The sensors are generally quite cheap and easy to change but if they are old can require some violence to remove. But don't worry, they are plastic so it isn't difficult to get violent with them.
What can also happen is the sensor head and the reluctor rings get caked in brake dust. A simple clean with a brake cleaner aerosol maybe all that is needed once the drum is off.
The most difficult part of the job will be getting the hub nut undone and the drum off.
The sensors are generally quite cheap and easy to change but if they are old can require some violence to remove. But don't worry, they are plastic so it isn't difficult to get violent with them.
What can also happen is the sensor head and the reluctor rings get caked in brake dust. A simple clean with a brake cleaner aerosol maybe all that is needed once the drum is off.
The most difficult part of the job will be getting the hub nut undone and the drum off.
colin_p said:
Get your spanners out, or buy some.
The sensors are generally quite cheap and easy to change but if they are old can require some violence to remove. But don't worry, they are plastic so it isn't difficult to get violent with them.
What can also happen is the sensor head and the reluctor rings get caked in brake dust. A simple clean with a brake cleaner aerosol maybe all that is needed once the drum is off.
The most difficult part of the job will be getting the hub nut undone and the drum off.
Thanks for your message Colin, the sensor and hub were changed a few days ago and therefore both parts are all lovely and clean and shiny already! The sensors are generally quite cheap and easy to change but if they are old can require some violence to remove. But don't worry, they are plastic so it isn't difficult to get violent with them.
What can also happen is the sensor head and the reluctor rings get caked in brake dust. A simple clean with a brake cleaner aerosol maybe all that is needed once the drum is off.
The most difficult part of the job will be getting the hub nut undone and the drum off.
Didn't read or notice that bit!
Sounds like it needs some proper diagnostics carried out, a bit more than simply reading fault codes.
Rotational wheel speed vs the other wheels etc. Do you have the fault code(s) from the previous diagnostics?
If you are close to Maidenhead I could help.
Sounds like it needs some proper diagnostics carried out, a bit more than simply reading fault codes.
Rotational wheel speed vs the other wheels etc. Do you have the fault code(s) from the previous diagnostics?
If you are close to Maidenhead I could help.
Has anyone checked the cable from that sensor right the way though to the plug, you could have a chafe on the cable earthing out on the body or chassis. It seems that as you have changed the sensor a few times and that warning keeps appearing could well be the cable or the plug where it plugs into the ABS system, or even check the plug/socket internals, mack sure there is no corrosion on the small pins inside the plug/socket. Might be worth a look.
colin_p said:
Didn't read or notice that bit!
Sounds like it needs some proper diagnostics carried out, a bit more than simply reading fault codes.
Rotational wheel speed vs the other wheels etc. Do you have the fault code(s) from the previous diagnostics?
If you are close to Maidenhead I could help.
Thanks mate I understand they did some live rotational wheel stuff and after they changed the sensors wheel activity looked good. That kind in Leeds unfortunately!Sounds like it needs some proper diagnostics carried out, a bit more than simply reading fault codes.
Rotational wheel speed vs the other wheels etc. Do you have the fault code(s) from the previous diagnostics?
If you are close to Maidenhead I could help.
phumy said:
Has anyone checked the cable from that sensor right the way though to the plug, you could have a chafe on the cable earthing out on the body or chassis. It seems that as you have changed the sensor a few times and that warning keeps appearing could well be the cable or the plug where it plugs into the ABS system, or even check the plug/socket internals, mack sure there is no corrosion on the small pins inside the plug/socket. Might be worth a look.
Not yet this is a good point I shall I get it up on ramps tonight and have a good look!Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff