Re: ABS LIGHTS OUT

["A. D. Morris" <allanm@primenet.com>]

>From: Glenn Lawton <lawtonglenn@gsmai.com>
>Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 13:42:56 -0600
>Subject: Re: ABS LIGHTS OUT
>
>Nick Deutsch wrote:
>> My ABS lights came on in the dashboard, so I no longer have ABS. How
>> many of you had similar problem? My brakes work perfectly, but
>> obviously without ABS. Is this a major expense?

Has anyone been under the car lately?  Everytime I remove a wheel 
speed sensor, I don't get them back in place *just so*.  The result 
is that the ABS computer gets confused, and shuts down.

>
>On my pearl 20V Coupe Quattro same thing happened, turned out it was a
>failed ABS sensor at the left front wheel.
>
>Simple problem, expensive part (I think I remember $280)
>
>Glenn Lawton
>

The part should be $5-$20 (allowing for Audi prices - it is worth 
$1.50).  The rest is for labor and diagnostics on the ABS.

If the sensor is bad, the light will stay off when the car is 
started, and then come on after driving the car - from 10 feet to 2 
miles...If the problem is elsewhere, it may turn the light on before 
moving the car.

If the sensor is bad, this may help:
Listen carefully after starting your car for unusual noises from one 
wheel - that will prbably be the one with the bad sensor.  The noise 
is the ABS kicking in and out, until it decides to shut down.

Try removing the sensor, and reinstalling it until it rubs the hub.  DON'T
drive it like this - you may Dammage it!!  Then back it out
slightly.  It should not rub, but be very close.  I don't know if
there is a spec for this distance, but I have not found it.

Disclaimer - I know this is not the Audi sanctioned method, but it 
worked for me - YMMV

-----------------------------------
Allan D. Morris
Phoenix, AZ
allanm@primenet.com
1988 90Q
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