ABS/Driveshaft problem - help please!!!!

[Timah89 1]

i haev not been able to figure this one out at all, was convinced it was an ABS fault, but now feel that may be a seperate issue. Basicall, when in slow moving traffic my OSF brake stops working, its like the ABS is kicking in for no reason, but it only does this in traffic or when going very slow. NOw it gets weird, driving in the snow, not braking at all, just when the wheel spins it does the same noise, a horrific grinding noise, but only from the OSF wheel area. could it be a screwed CV joint?? and maybe the abs fault that i sometime get (the light comes on rarely and the sensor was only replace4d a year ago) is because oil from the CV joint is sometimes blocking the sensor?

[probert993 0]

whats the year of your car mate think i may know your prob but if im correct its not a problem

[Timah89 1]

1996 cheers mate

[Lukey. 381]

i searched the same thing when mine did it in the snow, pretty much every result returned the same answer, the abs can tell when its ice prob due to the low force to break loose and actions the brakes on the spinning wheel. Unless mk3s got electronic diff lock for this scenario, ive had newer cars that did have this make the exact same noise on ice/snow

[Timah89 1]

did yours do it whilst in the dry, in traffic, under braking? it does it when the NSF wheel is spinning too though, however the noise only comes from the OSF. really dont want to have to take it to a garage as it would seem a problem that would be hard to notice whilst in a garage as it is intermittent.

[spadam 7]

Mine akes the noise only when on ice its the brakes trying prevent wheel from spinning. Wouldnt of thought it should do it under slow moving trafiic when braking.

[Timah89 1]

this is the problem i have, it is the same grinding noise, it basically cuts the brakes off when braking under normal circumstances. is it maybe just not related at all?

[Lukey. 381]

have you checked the pad level?

[Timah89 1]

yeah the pads on both fronts are still nice and meaty

[russj249 2]

is it the abs kicking in just coming up to a junction slowly or something? can you hear the noise and feel it under your foot.

if it does it moving slowly, most common things would be a dodgy abs sensor or a crack or missing tooth on the abs ring.

the noise is just the abs pump, you'll probably hear the relay clicking fast in the footwell too.

on my 95 Vr6 it has this basic form of traction control where if it detects the wheel spinning the abs will try and help out by pumping the brake, so your 96 should have the same system.

[russj249 2]

Forgot the mention that when the abs kicks in when there's a fault in slow traffic, does it feel like you can't brake any harder no matter how hard you push pedal.

also could be an air gap problem where there's surface rust where the sensor sits so when the new one is fitted it might not sit close enough to the reluctor ring.

[Timah89 1]

yeah it is like the ABS is kicking in but has no need to at all, your answer is pretty much what i thought as i always thought it was a fault with it but didnt know where, then we had the issue with the snow which just baffled me even more to be honest! when it goes off in traffic i cant put the brake down anymore, basically have to pump it to trick it into thinking it is all ok. Whats the best way for me to fix it, is it worth me jsut taking it back to the garage that fitted the sensor and telling themn to sort it out as a year down the line it is having serious problems or are there any quick checks i can do?

[russj249 2]

best thing to do is get it on a diagnostics machine.. it should come up with an intermittent fault. it should save the code on the ecu. this will tell you what sensor it is.

after that it's up to you. i would get the car up in the air and check the abs ring to see if there's any damage or cracks.. take the sensor out and clean up with wire brush or something. then refit and try again.

if abs ring is ok, air gap is good. next thing is the sensor.

[Timah89 1]

cool, well hopefully it is just dirt then as the sensor was brand new last year. Looks like i'll be outside in the cold and snow on boxing day then trying to sort it

cheers for the help and guidance

[russj249 2]

no problem. keep us informed how you get on.

i wouldn't you your hopes up about it being surface rust on the hub though.. especially if it's an aftermarket sensor that was fitted.

[probert993 0]

the noise you can hear is the eds side of your abs working trying to stop u from slipping , in regards to problems u have in the dry i had this my abs ecu was playing up making strange things happen when ever it wanted, u most likely need the dry joints in ecu re soldering this should sort things mate but the noise is nothing to worry about ok :-)

[Timah89 1]

right , i have heard it may be the ABS ECU previously, i presume i can take it off and still run the car ok whilst i mend the soulder?

[probert993 0]

would not advise still drivin because all the pistons from pump hang down unless u can cover them properly, took my auto electrician a few hours once i removed mine so didnt need to drive it

[finny 0]

Yes, you can drive around with the ABS ecu removed. Cover up the pistons with large freezer bag and cable ties until it is refixed.

But you'll have to assess the risk..........no functional ABS as the ecu has been intentionally removed rather than fitted as standard but faulty.

I drove around for a couple of days without it fitted.