P38 ABS Fault/ Traction Failure Warning

[nervous]

Hi All,

my 2002 p38 has started bleating on about having an ABS fault and traction failure, but seems to be driving fine. Is this likely a sensor fault, something fairly common, just more character manifesting itself or actually something I should be worrying about?

I'd appreciate any help you could offer. Thanks in advance,
N.

[BLUETHUNDER]

It could be a sensor. But more than likely the ABS pump.

[nervous]

Any way of checking?

[BLUETHUNDER]

The pump normally 'cycles' every 40-50 seconds. if it dont then its probably had it. You could check the pump relay as well. a plug in would tell you all you need to know.

[nervous]

ok, thanks BT, I'll look into it.

[ADH325]

I have EXACTLY the same problem - just popped up this morning.

Turn on the ignition - can hear the pump running so not convinced its that, first thing to pop up is 'ABS Fault', followed shortly by 'Traction Failure'. My money is on a wheel sensor (hopefully). Ive heard that the sensors are also prone to dropping out of their housings.

Please let us know if you get to the bottom of it, I will do likewise.

[BLUETHUNDER]

Another thing to check. Is the battery ok. A low battery can throw up ABS/Traction failure.

[nervous]

ADH325 said:

I have EXACTLY the same problem - just popped up this morning.

Turn on the ignition - can hear the pump running so not convinced its that, first thing to pop up is 'ABS Fault', followed shortly by 'Traction Failure'. My money is on a wheel sensor (hopefully). Ive heard that the sensors are also prone to dropping out of their housings.

Please let us know if you get to the bottom of it, I will do likewise.

I did a search on another forum (the LR forum here is super-slow sometimes) and found everything I wanted. I'm afraid I'm working remotely today so cant access exactly what I found but do a search and if you don't find it drop me a line and Ill pass it on to you when I get home. I can tell you that it wasn't what BT suggested, thank God

[nervous]

actually just looked back, it was sort of what BT said- and apparently is most often is the sensor which is of course prone to cold, damp and the ingress of mud, and is therefore placed where it's most likely to get cold, damp and covered in mud.

[ADH325]

Good - well hopefully thats our problem, let me know how you get on. Im going to start by going round them all and seeing if they are all seated like they should be - failing that it'll have to be a trip to the diagnostics.

The sensors arent bloomin cheap either - seem to be between £100 to £150.

Is it the 4.6 you have?

[nervous]

no, its a 4.0 but they're most likely the same, and if not they're still most likely expensive. my current thinking is that if they can't be cleaned and replaced, and assuming there's is nothing else wrong and no harm in doing so, I may just live with the noise. I'm loathe to waste any more money on it, TBH.

[ADH325]

I know what you mean. Mine hardly does any mileage - it's probably done about 3k in the last 3 years and i've had to spend £100's on it. Front air suspension bellows need doing next, after a few days the front passenger side sags to the bumpstop

You might need to sort it before your next MOT mind you.

[nervous]

ADH325 said:

You might need to sort it before your next MOT mind you.

luckily, my MOT guy isn't that kind of picky, but I know what you mean.

[DrDeAtH]

sensor(1997-2002) is £99.99 from www.britishparts.co.uk

you may need the sensor bush which is a further £4.16

the 1995-1996 sensor is £148 !!!

[nervous]

DrDeAtH said:

sensor(1997-2002) is £99.99 from www.britishparts.co.uk

you may need the sensor bush which is a further £4.16

the 1995-1996 sensor is £148 !!!

Thanks Dr D

[ADH325]

I had to go to 2 garages before I got one that could read the diagnostics on my car (i really dont want to line Landrovers pockets with £100 for the privelige). They plugged it into their machine and the fault is apparently 'ABS Wiring Fault'. I was hoping it was going to be a simple sensor issue - alas it's never as simple at that with a P38!