Brake bleeding sequence confusion - little help please!

**ceilidhalfie** · 14-07-2013,06:30 AM

Have not used VCDS LITE. With full VCDS You only see the version data at the top of the screen DURING the scan of the module - so you only get a few seconds to identify. I suspect it will be the same with LITE - detail only during the module scan.

**ametlib** · 14-07-2013,09:42 AM

Hi, the 5,3 ABS unit looks different than the 5,7 unit. Try google up pictures and you,ll see the different. If you have the 5,3 you must bleed it through the LF caliper using VCDS to run the pump.
It,s a bit more to it if you have 5,3, the good news is that the electronics in the 5,3 usually don,t go bad, on the 5,7 however...

**ceilidhalfie** · 14-07-2013,11:21 AM

Originally Posted by mrnice

Thanks!, if someone savvy has done it and it worked that's good enough for me, there was fluid loss but the res didn't run out, at least this'll be my brake fluid changed I guess!

You need 1ltr of new fluid:

Reservoir: 200ml (easiest way is to bleed first 400ml of LF - making sure reservoir does not completely empty)
Each of 4 callipers: 200ml.

**mrnice** · 14-07-2013,12:54 PM

Thanks folks, ran scan again but see nothing referring to ESP type even during scan,
this us the unit here-

MIT has what looks like a single electric motor/pump in the base

**ceilidhalfie** · 14-07-2013,02:24 PM

I THINK you have a 5.3 ESP. See link CHEAP ABS Module Repair for Audi although very difficult to differentiate between the two examples given. You have a 2001 1.9 Avant. It seems Audi introduced the 5.7 in 2002. I had a look at my 5.7 ESP in my 2002 Allroad and it does look different to yours. Hope this is of some help.

**mrnice** · 14-07-2013,04:08 PM

Originally Posted by ceilidhalfie

I THINK you have a 5.3 ESP. See link CHEAP ABS Module Repair for Audi although very difficult to differentiate between the two examples given. You have a 2001 1.9 Avant. It seems Audi introduced the 5.7 in 2002. I had a look at my 5.7 ESP in my 2002 Allroad and it does look different to yours. Hope this is of some help.

Had a look and I can't see the part number on the module as its on the bottom but the part number of the pump itself matches that for the 5.7 for 2002-2004 A4 on the chart on your link. Curious, I guess that means its 5.7 then. Which I gather doesn't need vcds bleeding. I did read on vcds website that the abs bleeding is only needed when the abs unit has been completely run dry in any case.

Also I used a litre of fluid during bleeding the brakes and did them all twice as I was still getting a few tiny bubbles when the fluid reached min mark on the eezibleed bottle.
on driving the car pedal/brakes feel fine.

thanks for all the help, very much appreciated!

**mrnice** · 14-07-2013,04:14 PM

Ps, although my a6 is a 2001 51 plate, most other 2001's I've seen around are pre-facelift and mine isn't, so there could be a chance it has other features generally introduced in 2002?,
cheers

**mrnice** · 15-07-2013,01:23 PM

So I checked the abs module part number with a mirror and confirmed it's 5.7 ESP against the table in the link kindly posted by ceilidhalfie.
The part numbers for both pump and module seem to relate to 2002 and on models.
So case closed, thanks everyone for the help!

**General_Git** · 24-02-2015,07:54 PM

Perhaps an newbie question but I can't see the answer from the above posts.

If I'm looking to just replace the fluid, do I need VCDS to activate the ABS pump? It seems I do for bleeding, which I take to mean there is air in the system, i.e. changing major components. However, I just want to replace the old fluid.

Also, if any kind forum member could point me in the direction of the clutch bleed nipple, I'd be really grateful. I assume I'll do the clutch first...

Many thanks...

G_G

**mrnice** · 25-02-2015,12:25 PM

Hi there, you need to find out which abs module your car has. If it's 5.3 ESP you need to use vcds, if it's 5.7, just bleed as normal.
See above post, I had to use a mirror on a stick (from Aldi) to read the part number on the bottom of the ABS unit.
Use the table in the link by Ceilidhalfie a few posts above to help determine which you have.
I was lucky in the mine was 5.7 and therefore didn't need vcds for the procedure.
All the above info pertains to 1.9tdi, if your's is a v6, double check details!

the clutch bleed nipple is situated on the top left of the trans bellhousing on a 1.9, i assume it'd be the same on a 2.5. If, like on the 1.9, it is a plastic bleed screw, be really careful loosening it with a good tight-fitting spanner, it can easily be rounded off.

good luck!