A3 ABS/ESP Problem - One for Tame Technician?

[jeremyc]

Colleague has a 2006 Audi A3 1.9 TDI SE.

ESP light has just come on.

Main stealer says that ABS unit needs replacing, but that ABS is still working fine and there are no problems with the car.

What might cause the ESP light to come on like this? Is it a known problem, and if so what is the solution?

Needless to say the car has been removed from the stealer to determine whether there is a simpler and more cost effective fix.

Any and all advice greatly received.

[cuprabob]

This is a known problem and it used to require the ABS Pump to be replaced at a cost of over £1k but it's so common that VAG have developed a repair kit for around £400. The problem is a sensor located in the ABS Pump.

If the car has a full service history VAG have been known to offer goodwill against the repair.

If you do a google search om Golf MKV ESP light staying on you'll see how big an issue it is.

I should add it's a problem on all cars sharing the same platform, A3, Leon MK2, Octavia, Golf MKV. The same ABS pump is also used on BMWs and some Citroens.

IIRC the fault code is G201 sensor

Edited by cuprabob on Tuesday 6th September 20:00

Edited by cuprabob on Wednesday 7th September 08:09

[jeremyc]

cuprabob said:

The problem is a sensor located in the ABS Pump.

Thanks for the reply. Does the fault cause a problem with the ABS or ESP operation, or does it simply cause the warning light to come on?

[Dift]

You need to find someone with VagCom to make an accurate diagnosis. A few things can cause your symptoms like above suggestions or steering angle sensors.

I've seen a few of the steering angle sensors in my time... Always just illuminates the ESP light... Abs as you say still works.

Edited by Dift on Tuesday 6th September 22:08

[Tame Technician]

jeremyc said:

Colleague has a 2006 Audi A3 1.9 TDI SE.

ESP light has just come on.

Main stealer says that ABS unit needs replacing, but that ABS is still working fine and there are no problems with the car.

What might cause the ESP light to come on like this? Is it a known problem, and if so what is the solution?

Needless to say the car has been removed from the stealer to determine whether there is a simpler and more cost effective fix.

Any and all advice greatly received.

You need to know what the fault code was that was causing the light to come on. The one that is most likely is the one bob suggests. But there are many other things that can cause the warning light.

Assuming it is fault 01495 faulty brake fluid pressure sensor (G201) you will have limited ABS function Traction control should work ABS will work but ESP wont.

As bob points out main dealer service history and less than 100,000 miles should give you a decent percentage of goodwill from Audi. But failing there are many companies now that can repair the module (replacing the sensor within it)

[Mojocvh]

Sounds vaguely similar to the V70 problem except they couldn't split the controller, same ££ too.

[the-photographer]

Here is another ESP thread, with info about goodwill.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[cuprabob]

Mojocvh said:

Sounds vaguely similar to the V70 problem except they couldn't split the controller, same ££ too.

Many manufacturers use the same ABS pump (ATE MK60) and thus have the same issue, however, for seem reason there has been more publicity around VAG. Probably due to poor service and taking too long to admit to an issue

[Stoofa]

I had exactly the same thing happen on my Octy vRS a week before I was collecting my new one.
Initial scan showed ABS Pump failure - £750 for the part alone, then VAT and a couple of hours labour.

The fix kit has just recently increased in price and is now around £225 plus an hours labour.

Your dealer may not be forthcoming about the fixing kit.
Part number I believe is: 1K0 698 517 B

[clum]

Not sure if it is of any help to future searchers for an answer, but my A3 had fuses on top of the battery and the abs one, (RHS), was very slightly dented and blackened by power transfer, this was enough to stop the abs working and put the light on. Seemingly expensive mot fail turned into a five minute fix.

If your lucky: Simply clean the fuse and hey presto. very happy with such a cheap and easy fix!

[Rich_W]

clum said:

Not sure if it is of any help to future searchers for an answer, but my A3 had fuses on top of the battery and the abs one, (RHS), was very slightly dented and blackened by power transfer, this was enough to stop the abs working and put the light on. Seemingly expensive mot fail turned into a five minute fix.

If your lucky: Simply clean the fuse and hey presto. very happy with such a cheap and easy fix!

Different model A3. The earlier ones suffered from this. (tend to eventually burn out and kill the fuse holder) The later cars with the ABS/ESP fault is as stated the control unit bolted to the bottom of the pump.

[Nick1point9]

clum said:

Not sure if it is of any help to future searchers for an answer, but my A3 had fuses on top of the battery and the abs one, (RHS), was very slightly dented and blackened by power transfer, this was enough to stop the abs working and put the light on. Seemingly expensive mot fail turned into a five minute fix.

If your lucky: Simply clean the fuse and hey presto. very happy with such a cheap and easy fix!

I take it you have an 8L A3 (mk 4 golf platform)?

[SmithyAG]

My dash lit up a few months ago saying ABS Fault, contact workshop for inspection. Along with ESP light on and handbrake light flashing (A3 8P).

I cleaned reseated all the fuses and it hasn't happened since!