ABS & TC dash lights on

[crankedup]

Our Skoda Fabia is displaying the dash lights ABS and TC continuously. Brakes seem to work OK, until yesterday when the ABS kicked in when least expected and this of course extended our stopping distance. Is this likely to be a speed sensor failure or something more significant. thanks for any comment / advise.

[Sardonicus]

Sounds like typical characteristics of a failed wheel speed sensor to me get it plugged a diagnostic scanner 1st inexpensive and better than peeing into the wind

[crankedup]

Yup, thanks for response. Got it booked in now for tomorrow and I will post up results for interest of others perhaps.

[annodomini2]

How old?

As long as it's not a CAN bus car VCDS lite will diagnose VAG problems, you can get the interfaces off ebay for a few quid.

http://www.ross-tech.com/vcds-lite/download/

[adyady1066]

I'll take a stab in the dark at it being the O/S/F wheel speed signal sensor (ABS sensor). They run the same as the Polo and I've lost count of how many I've changed. Stupid spring clip retainer for the bearing that rusts and allows the sensor to pick up false signals too.

[crankedup]

Thanks for replies. I will get myself a diagnostic plug in thingii ready for next time. The car is old (2003) we have owned it for five years and never had this type of failure before. Keep thinking about changing the car for a newer model but as its only a shopping trolley not sure as to whether its worth the trouble.
Meanwhile my local trusty garage is fixing the old girl as I type (I hope!)

[crankedup]

adyady1066 said:

I'll take a stab in the dark at it being the O/S/F wheel speed signal sensor (ABS sensor). They run the same as the Polo and I've lost count of how many I've changed. Stupid spring clip retainer for the bearing that rusts and allows the sensor to pick up false signals too.

Almost spot on, transpired to be the N/S/F speed sensor gone west. New O/E replacement and 112 quid lighter in my pocket all sorted.