Calais abs message and bulb fail.

[aj1987]

Howdy all,

I have a VZ Calais.
When I start the car (while its turning over), I get 3 beeps and Faulty ABS on dash. But goes out once the car has started. The system check says OK.

Also, pulled up to work this morning and get the error, "Rear brake bulb fail".....
Checked lights, all good... Started car again, no error for lights but still got abs error then went out like normal.
Better not be a lemon, I've only done about 500kms since I bought it not even a month ago.

Any ideas or help would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
Aaron

[Benboy]

Take it to a workshop and have them use their Tech 2 reader to find and identify the error code. If you bought the vehicle from a secondhand yard, shouldn't it have a warranty ?

[aj1987]

Yeah has the std 3 month stat warranty and i bought a 3 yr extended manufacturer warranty also. So hopefully I'll be covered regardless.
But wan't it sorted asap. I'll book it in at Holden. Cheers.

[-scyth-]

Im also thinking battery as well...

[Torquative]

yup ... the battery on the Adventra actually set off an SRS warning when it finally went (after 5 years) and we had to get that reset!
These cars seem very picky when it comes to battery voltage and do some funny things when its too low (or too high ...)

[aj1987]

Hmmm, never thought of that. I'll throw a known good battery in it first and see what happens. If no go, then I'll have the Holden guys diag it.
If that's the case, I'll get them to diag it, then take it back to my dealer (not holden) and get it in for warranty. They send it to Holden anyway, but has to go there first as the Stat warranty lies with the dealer i believe?

Thanks!

[doms1]

Ours did it and stopped once a new battery went in

[aj1987]

Ahh ok, thanks Amy, confirmed. I'll buy a new batt on the weekend and try that first. I'd take it to the dealer and get it done under warranty, but they'll put something dodgy in there. So, do it myself and I'll report back.

Is it worth putting a bigger (more cca's) battery in do you think? or just get the same as stock?

[StealthCalais]

I have the same problem from time to time - very rarely though maybe once a month if not less. I just put the brake fault down to a dry connection, though I'm still stumped about the ABS.

Let me know if a new battery fixes the issue - I'm interested to see if it works!

[Trent L]

I was getting a "Rear brake bulb fail" message. Turned out to be a slightly dusty loose fitting number plate light globe. Pulled it out. Wiped it off & blew the dust out of the socket. All good.

[aj1987]

hmmm, ok, might go over all of the connections with WD40 on the weekend and make sure they're all good.
At this rate, looks like I'll just spend the weekend going over and servicing every little thing on the car. MAybe a little TLC is all it needs.

cheers

Stealth - Do you get the abs problem as well?

[HoldenOnn]

Im going with Battery issue also. Once a decent new battery installed, Im thinking it should be all good.

With regards to "rear bulb failure", as previously said, could be to do with dusty connections, or unless you have gone to LED's in any lights eg number plate lights, this can cause error message.

Also, with regard to ABS Fault, this can not only be caused by a low or old battery, but also people who have HID's installed. Upon initial startup, HID's require a fair amount of power and they can make a decent battery look ordinary for just a minute and allow quick beeps of ABS or Brake or ESP fault. Normally only happens when starting car from a cold start and turning HID's on straight away. Because a cold start is when battery is being pushed hard compared to a warm start eg after car has been driven just recently.

[StealthCalais]

AJ - I do get the ABS issue, as I said -very rarely though maybe once a month. HoldenOnn makes a good point with HID's it appears reasonable with the increased load on the battery.