ABS fault indicator

[bigwheel]

Started up my '05 CV8 the other day and the ABS/Traction Control not working indicator came up on the instrument read-out.
Turned off the ignition, waited, then re-start and fault still there.
Turned off the ignition, held down Mode and Set buttons, turned on ignition and no more ABS/Traction Control fault.
Since then the fault indicator returns at random, sometimes before moving, other times when on the move.
Any ideas or is it a spurious fault indicator?
Concerning part is it indicates the ABS will not function and it's plenty wet and slippy at the moment, North of the Border.

[BigNige]

No idea if this'll help but my Scorpio sometimes does this.

When it does I reverse the car for a few yards, stop the engine and re-start everything and it seems to sort it out.
Can only assume it's something to do with the way the car calibrates etc.

[EssexHSV]

bigwheel said:

Started up my '05 CV8 the other day and the ABS/Traction Control not working indicator came up on the instrument read-out.
Turned off the ignition, waited, then re-start and fault still there.
Turned off the ignition, held down Mode and Set buttons, turned on ignition and no more ABS/Traction Control fault.
Since then the fault indicator returns at random, sometimes before moving, other times when on the move.
Any ideas or is it a spurious fault indicator?
Concerning part is it indicates the ABS will not function and it's plenty wet and slippy at the moment, North of the Border.

If there is a ABS sensor fault the traction control will not work as it uses the ABS sensor's to see if the wheels are spinning.
It’s not likely to be an ABS wheel sensor faulty and once replaced the traction control will work ok.
One thing I’d try first is to disconnect the battery for about 30mins then re-connect it and see if the fault has gone.This may reset a problem in the ABS control unit and confirm there is most likly a wheel sensor fault on one of the 4 wheels.
Might be easyier to get it over to any vauxhall dealer and plug it into Tech2 to check the ABS system, this will show if its a wheel sensor and will most proberly have stored a ABS fault code.
They can do it as i plugged Vauxhalls Tech 2 into my Monaro VXR just to see if everything was ok.
Remember you will have to reset your radio code!

[Magic919]

Would be worth trying to get a DTC from the car to see what it was thinking. Just because it clears you can't assume there is no root cause.

[bigwheel]

What is a DTC?

[Stigmundfreud]

bigwheel said:

What is a DTC?

diagnostic code, you can get an ODBII reader from ebay, not sure what protocol these use (Ringram?? CAM/CAN?) or you can usually plug a light into the odb port under the steering wheen and it will flash a sequence to tell you teh code

[Bonnie and Clyde]

Stigmundfreud said:

bigwheel said:

What is a DTC?

diagnostic code, you can get an ODBII reader from ebay, not sure what protocol these use (Ringram?? CAM/CAN?) or you can usually plug a light into the odb port under the steering wheen and it will flash a sequence to tell you teh code

Pardon

[Stigmundfreud]

if ever the car flashes a warning light it saves a code to the computer. You can then quickly check the code to see the cause of the fault. Much better to do it yourself than take itto Vauxhall stealership and let them "tell" you what it is

[Well_Fans]

the efilive kit will also tell you all the stored fault codes - that kit I got from ringram was well worth the money for checking some of the more basic stuff stored by the car as well as monitoring /tuning the engine performance. give me a call tomorrow ron and we can try sort something out if you want to track it down yourself, least you've still got some warranty left eh

[MyM8V8]

Well_Fans said:

the efilive kit will also tell you all the stored fault codes - that kit I got from ringram was well worth the money for checking some of the more basic stuff stored by the car as well as monitoring /tuning the engine performance. give me a call tomorrow ron and we can try sort something out if you want to track it down yourself, least you've still got some warranty left eh

I just took delivery of a V2 flashscan from Richard, and well, I wish I hadn't now!

This bit of kit is just incredible and has blown my mind with just finding out how these modern ECM';s ( car computers) work and the scope of information and.......tuning possibilities. I bought it just because I wanted to change my speedo calibrations and have a look see. But after spending (wasting) nearly all weekend on it, I've realised that this thing is probably going to take over my life for a while.

So basically my advice is not to buy one, if you want a life, that is. Time is pressing. Must rush off now to reflash the old girl and then start on the transmission tuning. Wow - what a piece of kit?

Edited by MyM8V8 on Tuesday 5th August 19:17