ABS light intermittently on

[Dino D]

So the front drivers side ABS sensor has been replaced after it was damaged.
The hub was also changed as the light would not go out.
Turns out the sensor was not properly ‘plugged’ in and this was the cause of the light being on.

Now it’s been off for a while but recently if I hit a bump it comes on again and goes off sometimes after a while of being parked (not always) and back on again.
So seems like it’s loose somewhere. I’ve had the wheel off and checked the connection thatbs housed on the body of the car in the wheel arch (under the plastic flap).
Seems ok.
Looking at where it sits on the hub side it has a Tort/Allen bolt holding it in place. Could the issue be on this side and what sort of movement could it be as it seems bolted in place?

I’ll try and get the wheel off again this weekend and poke about but any pointers would be helpful as not too clued up this stuff.

 

[t-tony]

As far I can say Dino the type of fastener or if it is tight enough or not has no effect on the ABS sensor, so I would concentrate on the Electrical connection inboard. Also check for any excessive play in the wheel bearing (not likely I know).

Tony.

 

[Lazzzydog]

Are you sure that you are checking the correct faulty sensor? The symptoms you describe can sometimes be down to dirt accumulating on the end of a sensor and the usual suggestion is to take each one out to clean them. All well and good if you can get them out without resorting to brute force and terminal damage. Is there anybody near you with diagnostics who can read the code for you?

 

[t-tony]

You might be surprised at the amount of crap and corrosion these sensors can "see" through without failing. Usually if there is a fault with the pick up ring (reluctor) when you apply the brake you will feel a pulse from the brake pedal.

Tony.

 

[Dino D]

Are you sure that you are checking the correct faulty sensor? The symptoms you describe can sometimes be down to dirt accumulating on the end of a sensor and the usual suggestion is to take each one out to clean them. All well and good if you can get them out without resorting to brute force and terminal damage. Is there anybody near you with diagnostics who can read the code for you?

Pretty certain it’s the one that’s been changed playing up but good point, will see if my reader gives me anything as it could be another one to one what I suspect.

 

[Dino D]

As far I can say Dino the type of fastener or if it is tight enough or not has no effect on the ABS sensor, so I would concentrate on the Electrical connection inboard. Also check for any excessive play in the wheel bearing (not likely I know).

Tony.

New wheel bearing on the side (Merle part) so hopefully not that.
How do you check for play - bear hug the wheel and rock it?

Will get the connector apart and use some electrical cleaner.

When the light was on (after the hub and been changed) I went to another garage a bit further away as he had a reader that could give Moreno information.
He said if it was an issue with the hub being damaged the light would off when running and stationery but trigger when you move as them it will sense Ann issue with the hub.
So he stuck his hand and fiddled with the sensor and said itvwant plugged in properly?
I’m not sure which end he meant but it looked like he wasn’t manoeuvring the sensor on the hub sides
Might need to pop back to him as he knows older cars well but as usual time to go and drop it Ian the issue..

 

[Antm72]

My reader constantly gave an error for front left sensor it turned out to be the abs module not the sensor as it still errored after a new one was fitted.
light only stayed off after the module was replaced.

 

[t-tony]

New wheel bearing on the side (Merle part) so hopefully not that.
How do you check for play - bear hug the wheel and rock it?

Will get the connector apart and use some electrical cleaner.

When the light was on (after the hub and been changed) I went to another garage a bit further away as he had a reader that could give Moreno information.
He said if it was an issue with the hub being damaged the light would off when running and stationery but trigger when you move as them it will sense Ann issue with the hub.
So he stuck his hand and fiddled with the sensor and said itvwant plugged in properly?
I’m not sure which end he meant but it looked like he wasn’t manoeuvring the sensor on the hub sides
Might need to pop back to him as he knows older cars well but as usual time to go and drop it Ian the issue..

Wheel bearing play best checked by gripping the tyre top and bottom and use a rocking motion Dino. If you feel any play get someone to apply the foot brake hard and see if the play disappears.
Yes, contact cleaner a good idea.

Tony.