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        General >> Problems >> ABS and Traction Control Light on at Start up
        
(Message started by: mondeoman on Dec 11^th, 2010, 6:22pm)

Title: ABS and Traction Control Light on at Start up
Post by mondeoman on Dec 11^th, 2010, 6:22pm

Hi,

I've got a ABS + TC problem with my wife's 2.3 Facelift Ultima.

Coming home tonight when we got onto our estate I had problems with traction as the road was sheet ice!

The traction control module was flashing away etc as I got stuck.

I tried to turn it off and the light was on (not sure if I caused it to go on by pushing button). Things got a little hectic with people trying to help push me so I'm not quite sure when the ABS light came on, but both lights were on.

I turned the car off and back on again and both ABS and TC lights would not go out.

I've checked the fuses as suggested and they seem to be ok looking at them with a torch. Any advice?

I'm not able to strip the car down myself, take of wheels etc especially in the very bad weather we are having at the moment.

I know the ice on the road has been catching the underside of the car.

This is all I need after battling my insurance company over the damage to my wing!

Many Thanks,

Simon

Title: Re: ABS and Traction Control Light on at Start up
Post by gozz on Dec 11^th, 2010, 6:32pm

Perhaps you need to travel a short distance without any wheel spin to allow it to reset.

Title: Re: ABS and Traction Control Light on at Start up
Post by Matt on Dec 11^th, 2010, 6:43pm

the traction control light will come on when the system is turned off

Title: Re: ABS and Traction Control Light on at Start up
Post by scorpio_man on Dec 11^th, 2010, 7:16pm

on 12/11/10 at 18:32:47, gozz wrote:

Perhaps you need to travel a short distance without any wheel spin to allow it to reset.

+1

hth

Title: Re: ABS and Traction Control Light on at Start up
Post by mondeoman on Dec 11^th, 2010, 7:22pm

Both ABS and traction control lights stay on when I turned the ignition on i.e the self test fails?

So it suggests something is seriously wrong?

Title: Re: ABS and Traction Control Light on at Start up
Post by amigafan2003 on Dec 11^th, 2010, 7:36pm

on 12/11/10 at 19:22:30, mondeoman wrote:

Both ABS and traction control lights stay on when I turned the ignition on i.e the self test fails?

So it suggests something is seriously wrong?

Nope, nothing wrong - normal behaviour in icy conditions (or if you're being a nutter and do-nutting it in Sainbury's car park 8)).

As already suggested by Gozz and Scorpio_Man, drive it and get it up to 15-20mph and the lights will clear.

Title: Re: ABS and Traction Control Light on at Start up
Post by tonyboy on Dec 11^th, 2010, 10:03pm

My ABS and Traction control lights always come on and stay on for a couple of days during the winter, think it's cos of the dirty water on the roads, But it always clears eventually

Title: Re: ABS and Traction Control Light on at Start up
Post by gost on Dec 11^th, 2010, 10:17pm

I seem to have the opposite, abs light permanentl on except for 10 mins on a cold morning like now :o then after driving for 10 mins light comes on again, incidentl just passed mot apparentl light not a failure :o Sorr about lack of letter doesnt work on this pc ;D

Title: Re: ABS and Traction Control Light on at Start up
Post by tonyboy on Dec 11^th, 2010, 10:32pm

good job you havn't got to write a topic on the use of a YoYo.......... ;D

Title: Re: ABS and Traction Control Light on at Start up
Post by gost on Dec 12^th, 2010, 8:28am

Title: Re: ABS and Traction Control Light on at Start up
Post by PJDavis on Dec 12^th, 2010, 10:53am

on 12/11/10 at 22:17:32, gost wrote:

... incidentl just passed mot apparentl light not a failure :o Sorr about lack of letter doesnt work on this pc ;D

Where do you get your car MOT'd, I like the sound of that one............I think you'll find the ABS light needs to be out though, and the ABS working correctly.

Title: Re: ABS and Traction Control Light on at Start up
Post by gost on Dec 12^th, 2010, 12:57pm

As i understand it, brakes are tested on rolling road, as long as they pass that its ok , after all not all cars have abs, maybe4 i am wrong, what do you all think.

Title: Re: ABS and Traction Control Light on at Start up
Post by gost on Dec 12^th, 2010, 1:03pm

As you can see I have my Y"s back ;D so bring on the YoYo topic ;D

Title: Re: ABS and Traction Control Light on at Start up
Post by amigafan2003 on Dec 12^th, 2010, 3:43pm

on 12/12/10 at 12:57:12, gost wrote:

As i understand it, brakes are tested on rolling road, as long as they pass that its ok , after all not all cars have abs, maybe4 i am wrong, what do you all think.

You're wrong ;D

If there is a problem signalled by the ABS light, then that is an MOT failure. The Testing station would have no discretion at all.

The ABS system will have a special sequence of warning lights when the ignition is switched on to indicate that the system is functioning correctly. That is tested for the MOT. The ABS as such is not tested. So if, as a result of your ABS failure the warning lights show an incorrect indication (i.e not indicating a self test - as in you've removed the bulb!), then that will result in an MOT failure.

Title: Re: ABS and Traction Control Light on at Start up
Post by gost on Dec 12^th, 2010, 3:59pm

3rd time its passed withs light showing

Title: Re: ABS and Traction Control Light on at Start up
Post by gost on Dec 12^th, 2010, 4:17pm

I just googled it, it seems to say that if abs is dissconnected then it will pass, so does that mean 5that because abs light is on, it means abs is dissconecte4d :o Im lost now ???

Title: Re: ABS and Traction Control Light on at Start up
Post by TiberiuS on Dec 12^th, 2010, 7:34pm

ABS lamp on all the time or not lighting at all when ignition is switched on should be an MOT failure, taking out the lamp is a common bodge if there's a fault somewhere in the system and a surprising amount of garages don't pick up on it (even my local Ford dealer missed it on two occasions when I had mine MOT'd :-/).

The ABS should do a self test when you switch on the ignition (basic test, internal check, check sensors for shorts/open circuits etc), then it does a functional test once you get above a certain speed, somewhere above 10mph.

Once that lamp is lit, the ABS is locked out - it won't affect the brakes otherwise but slamming on the brakes on a wet or icy road in a 1500kg car without ABS to avoid the vehicle which just pulled out in front of you is an experience which might make you want to get it fixed ;).

My 2.3 didn't have TC but once I did get the ABS gremlin, it started one day while driving over a rough patch of road (lamp flickered at first and over a couple of weeks stayed lit more and more). In my case it was the connection to one of the front wheel sensors - if yours doesn't clear, it might be worth starting there.

Bruce.

Title: Re: ABS and Traction Control Light on at Start up
Post by gost on Dec 12^th, 2010, 8:57pm

You are right Bruce, tompion did a codee check at last kent meet and it swhowed as nearside front sensor, just havnt got round to looking for the fault yet, hope its just a dodgy connection

Title: Re: ABS and Traction Control Light on at Start up
Post by amigafan2003 on Dec 13^th, 2010, 10:17am

Quote:

3rd time its passed withs light showing

I'd be taking it somewhere else from now on.

God knows what else they've missed - you could be driving a potential death trap. Imagine them missing a loose sterring arm for example.

Title: Re: ABS and Traction Control Light on at Start up
Post by Highlander on Dec 13^th, 2010, 10:25am

on 12/11/10 at 22:17:32, gost wrote:

The testing station is CORRECT.

The MOT checks for ABS light on start up, it HAS to come on and go off (which your does Bruce) = Pass

If it doesnt come on at all (bulb removed/blown) that is a fail

If it stays on that is a fail

The ABS light coming on after driving off is NOT part of the test (if it takes 10 minutes of driving before it comes on they wont even be aware of it)

Simon, sounds like you may have dirt on the rear sensors/rings or damp in the connection (under the rear seat) although it may be a sensor or wheel bearing

Title: Re: ABS and Traction Control Light on at Start up
Post by mondeoman on Dec 17^th, 2010, 7:34am

It's amazing how one thread changes direction and other issues surface!

Anyway you may be glad to know that you were right and the lights went off when driven for a brief while. I just thought the lights would automatically switch off as soon as the ABS/Traction Control was not being required at the time.

You live and learn!

Cheers,

Simon