ABS sensors (replacement)

EF MAX

Member
What are the costs of replacement units and are they a DIY job or does one have to go back to Audi for this to be carried out..

My left hand sensors has gone (or at least I think it has) and needs replacing.. Is this a long job to do or not.

TIA
 
Hi

I had a driver side ABS Sensor go on mine. The ABS light used to come on as soon as I drove off with 3 loud beeps as a warning. Also the traction control light came on. I got it fixed by Audi and they charged £103, bit steep I know but they gave me a Audi A6 2.0T for 2 days while they carried out the work so I didnt mind too much. The only reason it took 2 days was because they wanted further time to inspect the issue. Otherwise i reckon it only took them a couple of hours at most.

Yatz
 
Are you sure it is the sensor on the wheel? The symptons yatz describes were identical to mine and it turned out to be the ABS relay which is under the dash.
 
My wires got damaged when I had the brakes pads down a while back.. Audi checked things out at the time as I was getting a loss of power.. they said the wiring harness needed replacement and also the sensor.. The wiring harness damage was my fault but they wanted in excess of £400 for the harness and replacement.. Well I had the wire redone (repair) and the power issue disappeared but the ABS lights still comes on but only after the car starts moving above 10mph.. so I figured it was the sensor..

I do find Audi (Reading) pi$$ me off with a wide range of issues.. especially when costs are concerned..

I know the ABS is working as I can feel it working in wet conditions and hard driving/braking.. so I am still confused..
 
If your ABS light comes on I doubt whether the ABS is operative - it all has to work otherwise it is disengaged for safety reasons. You cannot have ABS working on 3 wheels and not the 4th.
 
Hi EF MAX
It may not be a brake issue as the ABS light will also come on if there is a problem with the steering angle sensor (a black box behind the steering wheel). It would be worth having a VagCom scan before changing wheel sensors

Cheers Spike
 
Hi ef max

If you have a vagcom scan then this will tell you witch sensor is or is't working you will be able to take your car to a VW dealer for this as they may be cheaper than audi or a A2oc member that has vagcom.

Then get the part from audi and change it your self.

Before you change the sensor!!

Sometimes it may need cleaning as it is a magnet and gets brake dust build up this can stop them from working clean with break cleaning fluid and rag.

cheers

Robin
 
ABS / TC / Brake failure lights

Are you sure it is the sensor on the wheel? The symptons yatz describes were identical to mine and it turned out to be the ABS relay which is under the dash.

The wife and I own 2 A2's. Hers is an 02 TDi. She is experiencing the following problem. Starting the car during the middle of the day, i.e. not from cold, bur previously run that morning, the car shows ABS / TC / brake failure lights simultaneously, but only after it has travelled about a 1/2 mile. The car also seems to be struggling for power when it happens.

Turning the engine off, leaving for 60s, then back on again extinguishes the lights, and everything is OK. This has been happening on an off for 3-4 months. Some times it happens several days in a row, other times it goes for weeks before happening.

Had it down to the dealer (Reading Audi) and they found no problems. However, now I have a clicking relay somewhere in the car, (ash tray area I think). This seems to randomly click on and off, and wasn't doing it before it went to the garage. Don't know if this is related to the orginal fault or if they've caused another problem.

Brake pads have plenty of material left on them. They were replaced about 18 months ago. My A2, Y reg TDi, has never suffered this problem. Anyone got any pointers? Not sure this is the steering sensor problem, as others have described. If it carries on like this for much longer, and Audi can't find the fault we're going to have to flog the car.

mrtivo.
 
I think you might have 2 problems here, the first being the poor starting and lack of power, the second, the relay/warning lights problem.

The former sounds like it could be a partially blocked fuel filter and the second could be the ABS sensor, but I think it is more likely to be the steering angle sender.

The best bet is a diagnostic scan, WHILE THE LIGHTS ARE STILL ON, or if this is not possible, during the same session as when they were on, i.e. don't turn off the ignition, but find a dealer and haul them out onto the forecourt asap - I had to do this on my first A2 (a 51-plate TDi SE) before they would acknowledge an oil pressure problem.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Hi mrtivo
When all three warning lights are on together it usually indicates a problem with the electronic brake pressure distribution system. This is pure speculation but if the lights come on immediately after the brakes have been applied, it may be a faulty brake switch. These are are known to give problems and the occurence may be related to cabin temperature - although I have no explaination why switching the ignition off and on gives a temporary cure. Fuelling is trimmed when the brakes are applied so if the switch sticks the car would loose power.
Hopefully Skipton will correct the theory if its a load of tosh.

Cheers Spike

Forgot to add that the clicking noise could be from a faulty indicator relay unit which is located behind the radio. It's a fairly common problem so don't blame the dealer.
 
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No Spike, as per usual, your theory is sound and it neatly explains both sets of symptoms with one cause.

Brake pedal switches are quite common culprits on the A2 as well, so it may well be the cause (and is certainly cheaper than a new steering angle sensor!).

Cheers,

Mike
 
Gents,

Thanks for your responses. The dealer did talk about the brake switch being duff, but I have to check with them to see if they fixed it or not. Given my past experience, I doubt it. I'm hoping not, as the problem happened 3 times again this week, and the car is back with the dealer today.:(

As for the clicking relay, it just stopped doing it. As you say, the sound was coming from around the radio area. Using a mobile phone to film the fault, it was clear to see / hear when the sound got louder, as I moved it round the car.

mrtivo
 
Front ABS

Just a wee note to the wise. My traction control light and my ABS warning light both decided to come on at the same time shortly before my front pads needed changing. changed the pads no change to the lights and the 3 beeps. Contacted the local stealer who advised me to bring it in and run it through the diagnostics at a mere £78 +vat this was the only way to identify the problem apparently .After the offending sensor was replaced at a cost of £40 per sensor plus fitting (£80 per hour I believe)They also advised that the ABS light was on a latch and would need reset at a further cost of £40 nice price so far. I managed to track down 2 new front sensors £66 total changed both together doddle of a job .Remove caliper, remove shield ,pry out sensor disconnect and renew and viola ABS light out traction control light out no more probs for £66. Dealer price £158 plus 2 hours ( min )labour at £160 plus vat near on £400 .Just thought I would share this with you guys see ya Davy
 
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