ABS Warning Light - A6

[swgf]

A6 2.4SE 1999

The ABS warning light on my dash (flashing exclamation mark and lit ABS symbol) has been apparent for a few months now and happens about 99% of the time on starting my engine. (Very occasionally the traction control symbol will light up instead of the ABS).
Thought as the weather's deteriorating that I'd better get it seen to.

Took it to the local Audi/VW specialist who connected their "tester" but could not receive any info. They said that it was the ABS ECU and it would cost upto £500 plus fitting to resolve.

Is there any other way of getting this fixed? Or at least diagnosed correctly?

(The light started flashing literally a week after my service/MOT so wonder if anything could have been dislodged or similar?)

Cheers

[buster]

A6 2.4SE 1999

The ABS warning light on my dash (flashing exclamation mark and lit ABS symbol) has been apparent for a few months now and happens about 99% of the time on starting my engine. (Very occasionally the traction control symbol will light up instead of the ABS).
Thought as the weather's deteriorating that I'd better get it seen to.

Took it to the local Audi/VW specialist who connected their "tester" but could not receive any info. They said that it was the ABS ECU and it would cost upto £500 plus fitting to resolve.

Is there any other way of getting this fixed? Or at least diagnosed correctly?

(The light started flashing literally a week after my service/MOT so wonder if anything could have been dislodged or similar?)

Cheers

Does it go out after a while or remain lit?

The ABS warning light is a big red one and beeps at you three times on start up. It will remain lit and stop your computer from working.

I had my ABS control unit rebuilt by Lynx Automotive in Notts.

Have you tested your ABS system, by hitting the brakes on gravel (Be careful! and make sure you are driving very slowly off road somewhere) or wet grass to see if if it functions properly?

[swgf]

Warning light does exactly as you said...stays on after beeping three times on start up. Big red exclamation mark. Then there's also the ABS light lit on the dash and VERY occasionally the traction control light, but never both at the same time.

Haven't tested the ABS as we haven't had any rain for months!! One of the reasons to get it checked now was to have it done before the bad weather.

Took it to a local garage as well as the local Audi people and their computer couldn't pick up a code either, altho they suggested taking each wheel off in turn and check the sensor(?).

[paul b]

Yes, sometimes the ABS sensor behind the wheels can get trapped or corroded, but if there actually is a problem with the system, messing with these won't change anything.
Paul

[buster]

Warning light does exactly as you said...stays on after beeping three times on start up. Big red exclamation mark. Then there's also the ABS light lit on the dash and VERY occasionally the traction control light, but never both at the same time.

Haven't tested the ABS as we haven't had any rain for months!! One of the reasons to get it checked now was to have it done before the bad weather.

Took it to a local garage as well as the local Audi people and their computer couldn't pick up a code either, altho they suggested taking each wheel off in turn and check the sensor(?).

With all of this electronic wizardry it's so difficult to tell these days.

If the main dealer couldn't find the fault, have you thought of going to the next main dealer in the next town?

It could just be some water in your electrics. Just a thought, but is your passenger side footwell damp? This is a common problem, and althoguh I would not think it would cause the ABS light to come on, it can cause the dealer's computer to refuse to talk to the car.

Apart from that, I am out of ideas.

I changed the ABS control unit on mine, but then I did know it had failed - the wheels locked up when on a wet slippery road.