ABS & Traction Control Light, I'm stumped...

[Ritt]

Hi all,

Yes,I have searched and scanned the car. Fault is right rear sensor. it has been replaced... Lights are still on.

Car sat all winter in the garage, I did start and drive it a handful of times on nice days no issues. I just broke the car out last week and the Traction Control and ABS light turned on at start up. Do note when I went to start the car the battery did not have enough power to turn it over (my fault for leaving the trunk open for a few days) so I let it trickle charge and all is well (brand new battery last spring).

I replaced right rear speed sensor and still have the same issue, Would a faulty brake light switch cause this issue as well? I'm finding mixed reviews...

I found a few people that have had the same problem but they never updated there thread with a solution.

Thanks for the help.

[VinnysS4]

on my A4, a blown fuse caused those 2 lights to come on. On my S4, after the battery goes dead, i get a few lights that stay on for a while and eventually go off with some driving. how much have you driven the car since the lights came on?

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

When you replaced the sensor did you clear the code? Sometimes you have to clear the fault code for things to reset and the vehicle to realize there's a new functioning sensor.

Otherwise if that is the case unfortunately its probably the ABS module $$$$

Jason

[Ritt]

When you replaced the sensor did you clear the code? Sometimes you have to clear the fault code for things to reset and the vehicle to realize there's a new functioning sensor.

Otherwise if that is the case unfortunately its probably the ABS module $$$$

Jason

Hi Jason, not yet tomorrow. I actually just ordered schawben pro scanner for you all as I was tired of asking my buddy to VAG com my car. But he is coming over to scan it again.

on my A4, a blown fuse caused those 2 lights to come on. On my S4, after the battery goes dead, i get a few lights that stay on for a while and eventually go off with some driving. how much have you driven the car since the lights came on?

Thanks for the heads up. I will check some fuses. I only prob put on about 15 miles since I got it back out. Drove to my friends to use his vag com.

I will keep you all posted.

[pandapod]

ABS & Traction control lights could be pointing at a faulty brake light switch - it was for me when i purchased my car. With your car on (or off perhaps) and the lights off, step out of the car and check if the third brake light is on. If so, there's your culprit.

When i first purchased my car and drove away with no plates, my friend following me called and said my brake lights were on the whole time. I freaked out and got immediate buyers remorse, thinking i had some electrical bug. $25 brake light switch later the issue was gone and I felt much better.

[pwest15]

It's most likely an abs module fault. These modules are known to fail in certain ways on this car. Most noteably, wheel speed sensor faults. Just get your module rebuilt. it should cost around $200-300. Cheapabs or modulemasters would be places to check out

[Ritt]

It's most likely an abs module fault. These modules are known to fail in certain ways on this car. Most noteably, wheel speed sensor faults. Just get your module rebuilt. it should cost around $200-300. Cheapabs or modulemasters would be places to check out

Thanks I have a few things to try before I go this route.

ABS & Traction control lights could be pointing at a faulty brake light switch - it was for me when i purchased my car. With your car on (or off perhaps) and the lights off, step out of the car and check if the third brake light is on. If so, there's your culprit.

When i first purchased my car and drove away with no plates, my friend following me called and said my brake lights were on the whole time. I freaked out and got immediate buyers remorse, thinking i had some electrical bug. $25 brake light switch later the issue was gone and I felt much better.

I'm tearing into it tonight. I will absolutely check this too.

I will keep everyone posted.

[pwest15]

Thanks I have a few things to try before I go this route.

Oh absolutely, I'd take care of all other options before as well. But if it is the case that it's your module, this video will help you remove the module and once you have it back, reinstall it and recode it. Another tip, if you don't have full vagcom, you can unplug your battery, remove the abs module, get it rebuilt, and reinstall it without having to recode it because the battery has been disconnected through all of that

[Ritt]

Oh absolutely, I'd take care of all other options before as well. But if it is the case that it's your module, this video will help you remove the module and once you have it back, reinstall it and recode it. Another tip, if you don't have full vagcom, you can unplug your battery, remove the abs module, get it rebuilt, and reinstall it without having to recode it because the battery has been disconnected through all of that

This is really helpful. Thank you!

Luckily I still have my speedo functioning properly.

[INDY-S5]

It's most likely an abs module fault. These modules are known to fail in certain ways on this car. Most noteably, wheel speed sensor faults. Just get your module rebuilt. it should cost around $200-300. Cheapabs or modulemasters would be places to check out

OP, I also experienced this same issue and for me it turned out to be a bad ABS Module which I removed and shipped to Matt at Cheap ABS. For about $150 (repair and return shipping) he was able to determine mine was bad and he repaired it for me. Once I reinstalled it and cleared the codes everything has been fine for the past 4 months. Like some have said these modules fail internally in the same spot almost 98% of the time and Matt's repair addresses the issue and also adds a redundant backup as an extra layer.

If you have the B^ then your module is a Bosch 5.7 and runs $139 plus you pay to ship it to Cheap ABS and then it is a flat fee (US only) of $11 to return it to you. Total it cost me about $175 becuause I sent it out next day air for $25 (my choice) could have saved $15 a sent it 2 or 3 day.

Don't waste your money on the wheel sensors, they are rarely the problem even though VAG scanning indicates they are. Scanning showed mine as bad also and I replaced it and still had the same issue. I pulled the module and had it fixed and even put the original wheel sensor back in and poof, all was good to go.

If you have just basic skills you can pull the module and replace yourself. It truly is just 6 torx head screws that hold it onto the pump and then an electrical connector. Took me roughly 20 minutes to remove (due to the bottom two) being in a tight spot and harder to access and remove. The top 4 literally took less than 2 minutes to have out.

Good luck, but if I were betting, I would say your module is the issue as it is with many of these cars.

[INDY-S5]

This is really helpful. Thank you!

Luckily I still have my speedo functioning properly.

If you have Cheap ABS repair your module for you, you won't need to reprogram it, you simply reinstall the module back in your car (as long as you are putting back in the same one you took out!) If you buy a new one and do not use the one currently in your car you will need to reprogram it then.

Just to help clarify your options.

[Ritt]

OP, I also experienced this same issue and for me it turned out to be a bad ABS Module which I removed and shipped to Matt at Cheap ABS. For about $150 (repair and return shipping) he was able to determine mine was bad and he repaired it for me. Once I reinstalled it and cleared the codes everything has been fine for the past 4 months. Like some have said these modules fail internally in the same spot almost 98% of the time and Matt's repair addresses the issue and also adds a redundant backup as an extra layer.

If you have the B^ then your module is a Bosch 5.7 and runs $139 plus you pay to ship it to Cheap ABS and then it is a flat fee (US only) of $11 to return it to you. Total it cost me about $175 becuause I sent it out next day air for $25 (my choice) could have saved $15 a sent it 2 or 3 day.

Don't waste your money on the wheel sensors, they are rarely the problem even though VAG scanning indicates they are. Scanning showed mine as bad also and I replaced it and still had the same issue. I pulled the module and had it fixed and even put the original wheel sensor back in and poof, all was good to go.

If you have just basic skills you can pull the module and replace yourself. It truly is just 6 torx head screws that hold it onto the pump and then an electrical connector. Took me roughly 20 minutes to remove (due to the bottom two) being in a tight spot and harder to access and remove. The top 4 literally took less than 2 minutes to have out.

Good luck, but if I were betting, I would say your module is the issue as it is with many of these cars.

Thanks for help, I will report back with my findings tonight. I have a new brake switch, so I will slap that in. Also going to check some wiring as I have pulled the rear seat out and side bolster and check where it goes into the floor. I want to check everything before sending out the ABS module. But I agree I'm thinking the module took a dump.

[Ritt]

Quick update all.

I torn into the car last night and was looking at the wire harness that goes into the floor and I noticed I have one broken wire and a few of the other wires have had some of the wire coating rub off them. I'm going to clean up the wires tonight, clear codes and see what happens. Not sure how it broke or the wires were rubbing. Only thing I can think is if some dirt/sand/small rocks got under the carpet and played havoc at some point.

[MarilynB6]

I had the same issue. Took the car to my mechanic to have the ABS module replaced. He told me my module wasn't shot, just going and that the clock-spring was part of the issue.

[Ritt]

I had the same issue. Took the car to my mechanic to have the ABS module replaced. He told me my module wasn't shot, just going and that the clock-spring was part of the issue.

Its all fixed, it was a few broken and frayed wires on the floor.

Thank you