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        General >> Problems >> ABS light glows
        
(Message started by: Whatever on Nov 6^th, 2013, 8:49pm)

Title: ABS light glows
Post by Whatever on Nov 6^th, 2013, 8:49pm

Hello all
Got a little problem with my ABS light. The light never goes out completely. When I start the car it will run through the ABS test sequence and almost, but not completly extinguish the check light.
No fault codes and the ABS works just fine. Car is an 1998 Estate with a 2.3 Auto combo.

Title: Re: ABS light glows
Post by Snoopy on Nov 7^th, 2013, 8:10am

Could easily be a bad earth somewhere. BUT check the ashtray isn't shorting out it has happened to many people and causes some weird problems.

I am sure others will be along with MORE ideas.

Title: Re: ABS light glows
Post by Nunnspoet on Nov 7^th, 2013, 9:45am

Hi Whatever. I have had this on my 2.9 12 valve Scorpio for at least 8 years. At first I chased it about but got nowhere so I had her looked at by a specialist bloke. He checked it out and told me that it was a slightly faulty diode and not to worry. So I did'nt and she is still going strong.

You can check the rate of charge with the engine running by pressing and holding the Button on the Speedo display panel.....Do you know how this works mate ??? For the mo. I'll assume that you do and leave it at that.

All the best

Mike

Title: Re: ABS light glows
Post by Whatever on Nov 7^th, 2013, 9:43pm

Thanks for the advice! I'll have a look at the ashtray and the alternator during the weekend.

Title: Re: ABS light glows
Post by Tompion on Nov 8^th, 2013, 2:18pm

I’ve not heard before of a faulty alternator causing the ABS light to glow.
As you also have a problem with your climate control (mentioned in your other thread) the ashtray is well worth checking.
A problem with the switch in the ABS multiplug is possible (it causes the light to stay on when you unplug the ABS). Which type of ABS controller do you have? If it’s the type mounted under the ABS valve block check the multiplug bolt is nipped up.

http://i.imgur.com/XMKwOMZ.jpg

Title: Re: ABS light glows
Post by Whatever on Nov 8^th, 2013, 6:32pm

I have the type where the plug is mounted under the ABS block and I'll check it in the morning unless the weather is to unpleasant...

Title: Re: ABS light glows
Post by Nunnspoet on Nov 11^th, 2013, 10:16am

:-[

Mike :-X

Title: Re: ABS light glows
Post by Tompion on Nov 11^th, 2013, 11:11am

Title: Re: ABS light glows
Post by Whatever on Nov 13^th, 2013, 10:46am

Found an interesting bodge when checking the ABS wiring. One of the leads coming from the ABS module is cut and there is a mini circuit board connected to ground and then to the cut wire that continues in to the main wiring loom. I'll post some pictures later.

The Ashtray wiring looks intact, and the ashtray in my car is unused so there has not been any of the regular "in & out" wear and tear... ;)

Title: Re: ABS light glows
Post by Tompion on Nov 13^th, 2013, 5:41pm

My guess would be it’s a device to get the warning light to function on a non working ABS system, but you say it works. What colour wire is it on? If it’s black/red it’s the wire for the warning light.
I assume when you say the “ABS works just fine” if you brake hard the wheels don’t lock and you can feel the ABS working through the brake pedal.

Title: Re: ABS light glows
Post by Whatever on Nov 13^th, 2013, 6:34pm

Removed the bodge today and reconnected the O.E wiring and now the ABS light goes out completely. My guess is that one of the previous owners fitted this device in order to pass our equivalent of the MOT. Strange thing is that the ABS system has been working flawlessly even with the bodge, (Throughly tested on gravel and ice).
If there is interest a have pictures of the mini circuit board and the connection to the wiring.
But of course no happiness is everlasting since the Air bag light came on on my way home today... That's probably just a loose connection or bad ground somewhere since the SRS light has been flickering from time to time for a couple of months, and usually it just takes a restart of the car to "repair" the light.

Title: Re: ABS light glows
Post by Tompion on Nov 13^th, 2013, 7:01pm

If you don't find a loose air bag connection you may have a problem with the instument cluster:
http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=Advice;action=display;num=1330135415

If you ever get distinct flashes rather than flickering the codes are at the bottom of this page:
http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/airbags.htm

Title: Re: ABS light glows
Post by Whatever on Nov 15^th, 2013, 6:55am

Tompion, read through the posts on the page you linked to and you mention a that blowing the horn can shear of the cable to the airbag. Might have something there. 1st time problem occurred was when I was driving with my 21/2 year old daughter in my lap, (closed circuit on idle) and she keep blowing the horn. The horn stopped working and the airbag light came on... The horn is still dead, and I have occasional flickering of the Airbag light. Sometime it comes on, and stays on after I hit a bump in the road.

Title: Re: ABS light glows
Post by Tompion on Nov 15^th, 2013, 10:45am

Hi

The plug can can go either way round but one way round it can hit a lug on the wheel and get levered off when you press the horn - not easy to see what I mean in the picture untill you take it apart.