ABS is being wierd

[Chrisdaman]

driving to bournemouth today, and the brake pedal felt funny, at some points it would travel at all, and i could feel a grinding behind it. and then sometimes it would be fine, then the ABS light comes on, and the brakes work fine.

ABS pump fecked?

Cheers
Chris

 

[Copper Cupra]

Sounds like the ABS sensor is playing up, could mean a new one? Had the same happen to a family members Toledo 16v, which same happen to that under braking, and ABS light coming on intermitently.

 

[Chrisdaman]

once the light is on it stays on

when used to go over bumps while braking, it would do the same, the pedal would almost lock up and not move down, and the brakes would feel like they're grinding

 

[fresh_creps]

I think i have a similar problem mate, also got the 1.8 16v gti and under heavy braking or braking whilst there are bumps on the road feels like grinding.Was worried i needed new discs or pads but checked both and they're fine....strange eh

 

[Chrisdaman]

yeh its not my pads or discs either, they were checked at the MOT

where is the ABS pump? could it be air in the lines

 

[m0rk]

it's the sensors.... clean them up asap - because sods law when you need to hit your brakes nothing will happen

 

[fresh_creps]

No idea mate,not the most mechanically minded person on here.You just got the standard brakes on yours atm then?

 

[fresh_creps]

cheers mork! any idea where the sensors are so I can give them a clean?best way to clean?cheers

 

[WeeJase]

jet washer used to work on my cordie,and as the law of sod works,it came on in the MOT bay,i could have done a basil faulty on the bloody thing.

 

[Chrisdaman]

lol

yeh where is the sensor? just so i can clean it

yeh i'm on standard Gti brakes - 4 discs

 

[AlpineWhite]

behind the discs mate. follow the only electrical wire in the wheel arch and it will lead to the sensor.

 

[Chrisdaman]

wicked

will have to do that soonish

 

[Icecavern]

If its a rear sensor then jetwash or disc removal is the only way to get them cleaned.

 

[m0rk]

will have to do that soonish

it's the sensors.... clean them up asap - because sods law when you need to hit your brakes nothing will happen

How about sooner than that?

I assume you're not knowingly driving a car with defective brakes?

 

[Icecavern]

Takes 30mins to take both rear discs off to clean those. As long as you can get the caliper bolts undone easily anyway.

 

[Chrisdaman]

How about sooner than that?

I assume you're not knowingly driving a car with defective brakes?

i'm on the push bike / train at the moment

 

[cordobabrendy]

Could also be the controller unit (in behind the gearstick etc in the console). The dealers replaced all of my wheel sensors one by one and the problem didnt stop until it was replaced. It was getting hairy in traffic rolling up behind another car at 10 mph only to find the abs cutting in randomly trying to stop you skidding, thing was it was a perfectly fine day and the brakes were only being applied sparingly to get me eased to a stop.

 

[Jib]

Mine does the same, you can feel grinding when braking over bumps. Ive always thought it was supposed to do that!!!!

 

[16vcupra_andy]

my car does the same!!
i thought it was just in need of new discs and pads

 

[Jib]

My theory behind it was this, when you go over bumps, the ECU thinks the front wheels are skidding under braking, therefore kicking in the ABS.

Good theory or incorrect?