Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Ridgeback]

With the recent icy conditions, I've noticed that the ABS does not appear to work, just locks up the brakes.
What is the minimum speed that the ABS works at, as I remember my old Vectra did not work at low speed.
I've noticed that the ABS light does not come on and go off when ignition is turned on.
Had a diagnostic check recently for a stalling issue but did not pick up any ABS fault codes.
Any thoughts appreciated

[KillerWatt]

If the ABS lamp is not illuminating and extinguishing in the preset time, first thing I'd suspect is that the ABS is not even getting power.

Having said that, ABS is not going to prevent wheel lock on ice anyway.

[tunnie]

as mentioned ABS only really works on loose gravel and wet roads, even with the small amount of ice down my road, doing sub 10mph, i had the fronts lock, trick is on ice is to never touch the brake. Think much futher ahead, just take you foot off the gas and let it roll to a stop, if you need braking, use the cluch.

Today with it being wet everyware, take it to a carpark / empty road, and stamp on the brakes, see what happends.

[TheBoy]

If the ABS lamp is not illuminating and extinguishing in the preset time, first thing I'd suspect is that the ABS is not even getting power.

Having said that, ABS is not going to prevent wheel lock on ice anyway.

It will still try very hard, so will cut in.

[RobG]

as mentioned ABS only really works on loose gravel and wet roads, even with the small amount of ice down my road, doing sub 10mph, i had the fronts lock, trick is on ice is to never touch the brake. Think much futher ahead, just take you foot off the gas and let it roll to a stop, if you need braking, use the cluch.

Today with it being wet everyware, take it to a carpark / empty road, and stamp on the brakes, see what happends.

What if you`re a two-pedal man

[tunnie]

as mentioned ABS only really works on loose gravel and wet roads, even with the small amount of ice down my road, doing sub 10mph, i had the fronts lock, trick is on ice is to never touch the brake. Think much futher ahead, just take you foot off the gas and let it roll to a stop, if you need braking, use the cluch.

Today with it being wet everyware, take it to a carpark / empty road, and stamp on the brakes, see what happends.

What if you`re a two-pedal man

Put it in "1" from D, thats about the best you can do, or stick it in N, then 1

Otherwise your stuffed 

[RobG]

as mentioned ABS only really works on loose gravel and wet roads, even with the small amount of ice down my road, doing sub 10mph, i had the fronts lock, trick is on ice is to never touch the brake. Think much futher ahead, just take you foot off the gas and let it roll to a stop, if you need braking, use the cluch.

Today with it being wet everyware, take it to a carpark / empty road, and stamp on the brakes, see what happends.

What if you`re a two-pedal man

Put it in "1" from D, thats about the best you can do, or stick it in N, then 1

Otherwise your stuffed 

[Proz]

Is it possible the bulb has been removed to hide a fault .... it should light then go of when ignition turned on shouldnt it ?

[Entwood]

Is it possible the bulb has been removed to hide a fault .... it should light then go of when ignition turned on shouldnt it ?

I'm with this one ... my betting is if you put a bulb in it will stay on to show you have an ABS fault.

BTW .. on my MOT the "computer print out" gave the examiner specific instructions on checking the ABS light comes on then extinguishes.... if it hadn't it would have been a fail .. simple ..

[dbug]

Agreed as above ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[Ridgeback]

That was my initial thought as the car came with a few undeclared faults that have manifested themselves over time.
It had a diagnostic check recently for a stalling issue, and this wasn't detected.
Looks like a dash out job to confirm, but not until the weather improves.
If it's been like this since we bought it, a few more weeks isn't going to matter.
My 05 Golf's ABS works right down as low as 2-3 MPH.
Thanks for all your suggestions

Is it possible the bulb has been removed to hide a fault .... it should light then go of when ignition turned on shouldnt it ?

I'm with this one ... my betting is if you put a bulb in it will stay on to show you have an ABS fault.

BTW .. on my MOT the "computer print out" gave the examiner specific instructions on checking the ABS light comes on then extinguishes.... if it hadn't it would have been a fail .. simple ..

[Kevin Wood]

Speedo would not be working if ABS was completely dead. Also, the warning light is wired to illuminate unless the ECU has power and is happy, so if the fuse had failed, etc. it would still light.

I reckon bulb failed or removed to hide fault.

Kevin