abs warning light stays on

[johnny37]

My mechanic say i need a new abs unit which is not econmic to replace taking into account the age of the car. Is this something which could be easily replaced cheap;y with a used part? It does not effect the drive in any way but is an mot requirement that if fitted it must work, Is it possible to simply remove the abs unit to comply with the wording of the law?

[ChuckFickens]

just remove the warning bulb, they don't actually test the abs in an MOT.

[johnny37]

It only comes on after a couple of hundred yards so will not show when driving it on to the ramp. If I sel the car it will immediatlely be obvious so the car is unsaleable. I;m told that removing the bulb will entail removing the whole dashboard which is not a quick job.

[ChuckFickens]

You've confused me now, you said you want to remove the ABS system totally but are now saying removing just the bulb is too big a job, I'd guarantee you that removing the warning bulb would be a whole lot quicker and easier than removing the entire ABS system

[david1702198]

i think you will find the first answer completeley wrong, the abs is tested during an mot therefore what would be the point in removing the bulb if it wasnt?? the abs lamp is checked for illumination and that it it goes out after the correct amount of time for that particular model. the operation of the actuall abs may not be tested but should the tester notice that it has it fitted and no bulb illuminates prperlyon the dash it will fail an mot

[chas2008]

are you 100% its the ABS unit, been in the trade a long time and its a rare item to be replaced, usually its the sensors that play up, much cheaper and easier to replace

[johnny37]

The first thing the technician said was the sensors but these were checked and found OK. Ive known them for years. They wouldnt spin me a line.

[dougielogan]

What make of car do you have, it could be the toothed ring that is at fault.

[david1702198]

check that neither of the front outer cv joints have split and covered the toothed ring in grease. most cv joints incorporate the toothed ring for the abs pick up, if this is the case it may well be the sensor is getting an intermittent pick up therefore illuminating the warning light. just a thought before you go spending money replacing parts that may not be faulty, 9/10 times in my experience of this is either an intermittant pick up or a faulty sensor, only ever replaced one abs pump on a Daewoo Lanos so th epumps arent a common fault

[johnny37]

David and Dougie, sorry for not replying earlier, i have been away. Thanks for the suggestions. I will pass them on to my mechanic. He has been in the trade for years and may have already looked at the toothed ring but your suggestions are welcome.

Johnny