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[Lampynoiseboy]

Hi

My speedo doesn't work, nor does the ABS or Cruise. Had the sensors on the wheels replaced, no luck.

Word has it that it's the ABS control ECU, however it's the Bosch one, and very expensive new/ rare 2nd hand. Can anyone confirm or deny this is what I need before I spend a fortune or hours on the 'net looking?

Cheers

[Elite Pete]

Hi

My speedo doesn't work, nor does the ABS or Cruise. Had the sensors on the wheels replaced, no luck.

Word has it that it's the ABS control ECU, however it's the Bosch one, and very expensive new/ rare 2nd hand. Can anyone confirm or deny this is what I need before I spend a fortune or hours on the 'net looking?

Cheers

Yep, sound like ABS ECU. You can buy second hand which is what i've just done or you can have them refurbed.

[Jimbob]

not that rare on here....sure they will be some in the parts for sale section

If you do a wanted ad in test zone I will move it.

Best to get one from the same engine size / gearbox type as your own to avoid config issues (but reconfigerable with a diag computer afterwards if needs be)

[Elite Pete]

There's a company called BBA -reman they can refurb your ECU for about £100 + VAT and carriage. The good thing with that is you won't need to have any Tech 2 work, the down side is you will be without your car for a while.

[Lampynoiseboy]

Done, many thanks Jim

Pete: Do you have any details?

[Elite Pete]

Here's a link to the company

http://www.bba-reman.com/uk/index.aspx

Being tight I used a secondhand one but there are a few on the forum who have gone down the refurb route.

[Lampynoiseboy]

Thanks Pete, am on holiday soon so may give that a go

(really just an excuse so the missus has to drive to heathrow from essex!)

[dragonlord]

they fix em prity fast took about 3days to fix mine

there a sod getting in and if you search there plenty of posts about romoval and refiting of the ecu unit

it just basically the bonding wire in that needs fixing

if it the ecu unit it will get worse and you lose power steering as well

[Andy B]

....and you lose power steering as well

you lose some assistance 

[Lampynoiseboy]

Well thanks to the legend that is Darth Loo-knee, I think we may have a replacement. Would like to say thanks for all the advice, help & general all-round wonderfulness of all on this forum   

[Lampynoiseboy]

On the power steering thing, my speedo does work sometimes for a few mins, and depending on the speed i'm travelling when it goes again, depends on how powerful the steering is. Assuming the car has graduated power assist, i.e. less power when high speed, more when going slower, it kinda sticks to the power it's got when the speedo failed

Can be a pain, and not a little scary 

[jonny2112]

It is certainly a nuisance!!
Be aware that if the ECU is not an exact match for your own then you will need Tech2 assistance to enable the full functions. The Dark Lord will keep you right though 

[Lampynoiseboy]

I don't doubt he will. Hopefully not needed, model & engine size are a match so fingers crossed...

[Lampynoiseboy]

Out of curiosity, I'm in SE Essex (no, no baseball cap or white stilettos thank you), who's my nearest trusted genius if i do need a tech2?

And if anyone mentions the words "geoff", "bray" , "lookers" or "toomeys" I won't be responsible for my language!

[Broomies Mate]

I'm not offering this as advice, but purely how I get around the horrible heavy steering issue.

You are right.  The Speed Sensitive Power Steering offers greater assistance the slower you are traveling.  If the ABS ECU decides to throw a wobbly when you are traveling at say 50mph, then you will have limited assistance, even when parking.  It wont reset itself until it decides to work again after start-up, which (in my case) is hardly ever).

What I do to rectify this, is to put the car into gear as soon as the engine fires, and plant the throttle momentarily.  It will only work if you lose traction for enough time that the ECU throws a fit again before it's finished its own diagnostics (less than half a second of wheelspin-ish).  It will then restore the Steering to a low speed setting (Maximum Assistance).

Again, I dont offer this as advice.  The Transmission has a failsafe which wont engage gear unless it feels it's 'able' to do so, but still.  :-?