Focus ABS and ESP Warning Light

[R3v 1]

Hi all,

Trawled google to no effect so thought I'd see if anyone else has any experience of a problem I'v got on my 2002 Focus.

I noticed an odd rumbling noise from the rear of my car over last few days. Visual check showed nothing so assumed might have been a bearing. Driving to a friends last night and whilst on the motorway the ESP Warning light and ABS warning light illuminate on the dash.

Still illuminated on drive home this morning but the car feels exactly as it always has. Pressing the ESP button has no effect on the warning light.

I'm concerned could mean another big bill after I had the rear disks pads and handbrake cable changed only about 4 weeks ago due to the handbrake binding.

Any suggestions to the problem would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Zad]

Interesting that you just had work done on the rears and then you experience rumbling sounds from the rear. I wonder if they had to get a bit "physical" to get the discs off and damaged a bearing, which is now breaking up. This might also cause the notched reluctor ring to move around, which the engine management detects as a failing signal.

[R3v 1]

I was wondering if the work done has brought this about but the work was done the start of december (Had to check receipt) and now at the back end of January so any damage caused has taken a long time to show itself.

I have driven the car again tonight and the ABS is definately not working so can assume the ESP isn't either.

I am hoping its a faulty sensor but that wouldn't explain the rumbling from the rear near side.

I'm kind of confused.

[seagrey]

Sounds like the bearing has failed from the noise you are getting.
The disc and hub assembly will possibly sit slightly out in relation to the spindle with the weight of the car on it.
As there is normally only a gnat`s cock between the wheel speed sensor fitted to the back plate and tone ring fitted to the back of the hub any movement will bring the sensor and ring together wearing one or both rapidly,bringing on the light.

[R3v 1]

I think I'm turning into a serious pain in the behind here.

Everytime I drive the car I notice something new. The rumbling noise is only audiable for the first 10 second of driving and there are no warning lights visable. After about 10 seconds the rumbling stops but the warnings light appear. I thought that maybe it was a loose wire or connection but again visual check showed no problems and don't have the space at the moment to start taking off tyres and brakes etc.

Ford want £69 for a Diagnostic check only... rather avoid that if possible.

Sorry for been a pain but the suggestions so far are giving me hope that it isn't going to be a major bill.

Thanks.

[Zad]

There is only so much you can do to diagnose over the Internet, it needs to be taken to a local independent, and for one of their more experienced mechanics to have a look at it. Not least, they will be able to sit in it and listen to the noise, and will have more ideas than we can come up with.

I know this sounds odd, but I have experienced front CV joint noise seeming to come through the rear of the car. It is worth spinning the front wheels and checking the bearings.

[R3v 1]

I agree Zed think I'll drop it into a little garage I know tomorrow and see what they come up with. Fingers crossed its just something simple and not an ABS Module or ECU Fault.

Thanks for your help everyone and if anyone is interested I'll post on here what the garage say.

[R3v 1]

Dropped the car in the garage today. They suspect the wheel bearing is knackered and is moving away from the sensor causing the ABS and ESP to fail. When the car has been stopped for a while the bearing falls into place causing the systems to work but as soon as start moving the bearing shifts.

Thanks again for the help you all gave. Put my mind at rest.

[Zad]

Blimey, sounds like I actually got one right (well, close enough). Hope it all gets sorted relatively quickly and cheaply for you

[R3v 1]

Well car back from the garage... New stub axle, new hub with bearing and new ABS sensor. Brand new parts it was going to be £580. Managed to shop round and thanks to salvage yards its only cost me £134 which I can live with.

The hell of the past 4 days using public transport (Which is useless and had no idea how expensive it is!) is over.

[Zad]

Ouch, sounds like quite a bit of damage was done to that axle! Glad you got it sorted anyway, and at a pretty decent price for the amount of stuff that needed replacing.