ABS, Engine, Traction Control and Airbag Lights

[nolim8ts]

After driving my car for 10 minutes today, the warning lights for abs, engine, traction control and airbag lights lit up. After letting it rest for half the day, started it back up and after 10 minutes of driving, the same warning lights re-appeared. I know I have a power steering leak but I don't think this would be causing any issues.

I plan on bringing the car to Holden but thought I would get input from JC members.

[HARVZ-6]

search is your friend.



abs modual

[nolim8ts]

Took the car to the mechanic's today to see which error codes and been logged. After the multiple error codes had been cleared, the car was taken for drive and behold, the lights came on again. Once again the error codes were cleared and I asked the mechanic to check all the earth leads / alternator charging while under load as suggested in another thread.

Apparently the alternator was charging at 13.5 volts while under load and the alternator's earth was found to be loose. Alternator earth was re-secured and after driving the car around today, no lights have come up on the dash [holds breath]

[Raging Bull]

Best way to find out. Next time the lights come on, unplug your ABS module and check the lights again most of them will be gone like Airbag, Oil etc but trac off, trac low, abs off, will remain. If that's the case your ABS module needs changing. Get yourself a pair on swap over basis on ebay and you're good to go.

[Sash182]

Took the car to the mechanic's today to see which error codes and been logged. After the multiple error codes had been cleared, the car was taken for drive and behold, the lights came on again. Once again the error codes were cleared and I asked the mechanic to check all the earth leads / alternator charging while under load as suggested in another thread.

Apparently the alternator was charging at 13.5 volts while under load and the alternator's earth was found to be loose. Alternator earth was re-secured and after driving the car around today, no lights have come up on the dash [holds breath]

I had the same prob when i had mt vt s, the earth cable was loose when i changed over a dead alternator and driving down the road the dash lit up like a christmas tree. It never happend again after I tightened the loose nut.

[Statesmad]

nolim8ts, I was having the same problem, now fixed, (after new alternator was installed).
It may not be the problem, it could be the ABS module, but it surely doesn't hurt to check and ensuring good earth, before replacing the module?

Anyway, good luck and hope it fixes the problem.

[nolim8ts]

After driving the car for 20 minutes, the ABS and Traction controls lights came on again but only for a split second causing the car to jolt. I have since purchased a working ABS module of eBay for $100. ABS will be getting installed within the next 2 weeks. Would any mechanics have any objections to installing a second hand ABS module?

[nolim8ts]

I've decided to spend the $800 and replace the faulty ABS module with a brand new one. I just hope this is the problem and that the lights don't come on again 2 months down the track...

[mdmatt]

haha i had exactly the same problem with my vt acclaim 2 years ago, it was the ABS module and after replacing it, all good.

[acarmody]

Has anyone used the Ebay swapover sellers? I don't want to waste good money and be getting a raw deal.

[BlackVT5.7]

search is your friend.



abs modual

lol, i dont think he would find anything searching for modual. Try Module.

I've decided to spend the $800 and replace the faulty ABS module with a brand new one. I just hope this is the problem and that the lights don't come on again 2 months down the track...

Piece of piss changing the module over, biggest effort would be some of the screws which are a touch awkward to get at, but other then that its fairly straight forward.

Had the same problem with mine some time ago, ended up buying a new module on a swap basis with Automotive Service Solutions - Supplying the World's Best Brands to the Automotive Industry. for about $325.

[KenM]

If the lights come on again including the OIL light unplug the ABS if OIL stays on may be oil sender.
another test is to read the ABS codes yourself by shorting pin 5 and 12 in the connector under the dash steering colum, use a paper clip then turn on key to bring up dash lights the ABS light will flash code 1 then 2 flashes three times then a new fault code three times each finally back to 12 at the end removing the short will reset the code as the engine ecu also stores code and it can be sent to a new abs unit. Good luck.

[blownba]

ABS module has failed. It corrupts the data bus line to the dash and will make it do really strange things.
Temp gauge will go screwwy, all sorts of warning lights...... Lots of different symptoms all ABS related.

Like it has been said just unplug the ABS module (slide the clip out to unplug) and drive like that.
If that is not the issue I will bare my bum in Burke street mall.

[noozila]

would disconnecting my ABS module make my power steering hard? As right now, with all the lights on there is a loss or lack of power steering.

[Dangerous Dave]

YEP. From my experience anyway..

[club255]

would disconnecting my ABS module make my power steering hard? As right now, with all the lights on there is a loss or lack of power steering.

yep i had the exact smae prob on my vt calais every time the lights came on power sterring went funny.

[noozila]

Best way to find out. Next time the lights come on, unplug your ABS module and check the lights again most of them will be gone like Airbag, Oil etc but trac off, trac low, abs off, will remain. If that's the case your ABS module needs changing. Get yourself a pair on swap over basis on ebay and you're good to go.

I have just tried this method, at first I though it went away since the ABS light and OIL light was off but then after a couple of sections. All lights when on like it was before.

BTW can changing your brake pads cause this to occur? Apprently, my partner said that it only started happening about my friend and I changed the brake pads. We didnt change the rotor, just the pads.

[ACEMonkey]

Its likely if the ABS sensor or the cable itself is disconnected or damaged during the brake pad changeout it can trigger off your ABS warning light.

[noozila]

Are you referring to the cable connected to the caliper? Is there abs sensors on the brakes etc etc? Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesnt - the abs, engine, trac control that is. But more often then it doesnt.

[drift-it]

noozila im fairly sure that the statesman if thats the vehicle your referring too with the abs problems, has a electronic variable power steering system...so the abs unit failing could possibly cause these problems as it causes aircon to stop working and temp gauge to not work etc etc...then again i could be wrong...

[noozila]

thanks for the advice drift-it. the vehicle is a statesman indeed. when you say abs unit, you are referring to the abs module, correct? also, are abs modules interchangeable amongst all holden's? say if i had a calais with abs and trac control, could i put that onto the statesman or is the abs module specific?

thanks

[Schwagn]

My VT2 wagon has started to demonstrate the same symptoms. While driving ABS light Traction control, check engine come on. Sometimes accompanied by the oil light and "SERV ERROR" on the odo panel. I checked the alternator earth lead and it looks good. Hate to think it could be the ABS module again, it was replaced only 18 months ago!!
Fault only occurs every couple of days at the moment and the lights sometimes go out of their own accord.
Also, as I've been playing in the driveway, above 4500rpm the low trac light came on and the speedo needle quivers around 5-10kph! What the? is this normal? (trans in Park)

[Ramsey82]

I had problems with my ABS module, I soldered the pins in the back of it and have eliminated 2 lights on my dash, Engine light and Oil light. The ABS, and Trac Off are still on but the Trac Low is flickering for about 15 seconds then goes.
Does anyone know what this is caused by. I am not sure if the pins are soldered wrong or if the Body Control Module needs looking at.
If you know the answer please feel free to help.

[dazzad99VT]

Hi, I am having the same problem with my VT wagon: "While driving ABS light Traction control, check engine come on. Sometimes accompanied by the oil light".
I have checked the wiring and found no problems there.

Just curious if any of you guys had the same PCM fault codes I had (shorting pins 5 and 6 on the Data Link Connector (under dash). I had Fault codes 31 and 92. I looked these up and they are not related to the ABS and they are not the problem.
I understand that the ABS module could be problem as you say (Serial Data from this unit causes other unrelated faults to show, as the same Serial data line is ultimately shared through the BCM). Interesting that you say the "pins are soldered wrong" (on the ABS module). I will have a look at mine and see if this has solder problems, "Dry Solder Joints" as they are called. I have found this to be a problem on many car circuit boards. Once I cleaned off the old solder and applied new solder, all problems were fixed on most occasions with my experience. I will let you know how I go!

[topdzl]

I had this problem and had to replace the abs, paid lots of money on that!!! because I couldn't find anyone who could fix it.

Good luck bro I hope you're not having the problem I had.