ABS light

[Prudie]

Just wondering if any of you clever lot can help. My daughter's Daihatsu Sirion has just failed its MOT because the ABS warning light won't go out.. 3 different garages and the Daihatsu dealer can't solve the problem although they've confirmed the sensors are OK and the ABS does actually work. All keep saying the ABS ECU (??) won't talk to their diagnostic thing. Meanwhile a car with only 40 000 miles is rendered useless because of one light on the dashboard, any suggestions? PS I'm female and just repeating what I've been told!

[Nkakamasembe]

The fact that the garage diagnostics can not "talk" to the cars ABS ECU,makes the confirmation that the sensors are ok suspect.
Lets say that for sure the sensors are fine before you start to blame the ABS ECU phyisically inspect each wheel ABS segment rings for damage or cracks.
Were the garages able to clear the ABS fault code/s and the light stayed on without the car moving on restart?
Demand from the dealer that the fault code be read and find out if any technical service bulletin exists for this kind of fault.

[Prudie]

My understanding is the ABS ECU wouldn't respond to the diagnostic so there was no code although the main car ECU would. Daihatsu suggested it was probably the ECU itself but that they are £700 new and there isn't one in the country anyway.

[Nkakamasembe]

Its common experience for diagnostic equipment failing to communcate with vehicle ABS ecu.This does not make the ABS unit faulty! its usually a case of delayed software updating on the part of equipment owners as it may be time consuming to update their diagnostic equipment.
Have you tried a Subaru dealer? the subaru justy shares the same platform as the Sirion.

[Nkakamasembe]

Let me also add .find out how many ABS ECU have been sold? if none than its unlikely yours is defective ,how ever if they have sold plenty you have good reason to speak to the dealer principal and demand an explanation.

[Nkakamasembe]

Daihatsu offer 5 year warranty.

[Prudie]

Many thanks for all your helpful answers. Sadly although it's low mileage it's R reg so out of warranty. I might try Subaru, The car is back with me in Dorset now but my daughter had to drive it from Plymouth where she's a student to the Daihatsu dealer in Exeter and I don't feel they were very helpful

[AlBags]

I'd check the web for a 2nd hand ABS ECU
In the interim, I would "fix" the light.
After explaining the dealer checks and confirmation of what is actually working, ask a car auto electrician to "fix" it. It's pretty easy.

[alavahalf]

Would ...''Fix it''... translate to....remove the bulb ?

[AlBags]

Nope

[Prudie]

Not as simple as that cos the light has to go on with the ignition but go out within so many seconds like all the other warning lights. I think it's more like wiring it up differently!

[AlBags]

Because if the testing station are really doing their job ... hint .. It would have to light with the ignition, and go out as soon as engine started .. and the "alternator starts to charge"

[AlBags]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk...tem&item=300400361589

[Skids]

I once bought a car that was sold without ABS. I later found that an ABS module was fitted and on further investigation I found that the ABS fault warning lamp had been removed. Turns out that they took the bulb out because they couldn't be bothered to replace one wheel sensor. Passed an MOT though.