Vauxhall vectra ABS issue (?)

alexw1

Hi all,
I was reading a previous post from a few years back regarding an issue with a Vauxhall Vectra & the ABS system, so was wondering if anyone may be able to help please?

I have just bought a dualfuel Vectra (2000 model) & have booked it in to a local garage to check over for me, however a couple of issues have already highlighted themselves, so I'd like to be prepared to point the garage in the right direction if necessary ....

The LPG system was fitted as standard by Vauxhall, so it's not an aftermarket system & I don't think that it's that causing the issues anyway. Currently the headlights work fine, but the rear lights are intermittent (brake light is fine). The ABS & Traction control lights are coming on intermittently - sometimes from startup, sometimes during a journey. Sometimes they go back off again. There is no specific length of time they go off or stay on for & I am not sure if the rear lights are linked to them going on & off.
When they do go on, driving seems unaffected & there doesn't seem to be any additional noises that there shouldn't be.
When they go on though, the speedo drops to zero & doesn't register the speed, the odometer stops counting mileage, the trip counter doesn't count mileage & the fual tank guage likes to tell me that there's between 35 & 40 litres of petrol in the car .... after running out of petrol last week & putting a fiver's worth in, I now know this to be a lie! (only needs petrol to start-up & then runs on LPG). In addition, when it happens, the LPG button flashes to state the LPG is getting low - but again, I was only able to add £5 worh & the tank was full (40 litre capacity).

I have been advised to check the alternator & fan belt, but I'm dubious, as there's no squeeking, the temp. doesn't go up too quickly & it doesn't take excessive time to cool down. Also, when the petrol ran out, I ran the battery down trying to start it (not realising petrol was the issue) & the battery's been fine since - starts fine every morning, so I don't think the alternator is not charging. The only "new" issue since running out of petrol (not sure if it's related to the above issues, but thought it worth mentioning), is that the brake pedal is now rock solid & every time I press the brakes, it feels like I'm at the gym trying to push 200kg's!! The brakes don't appear to be engaged, the discs aren't getting hot & again, there's no scraping noise to indicate the pads are engaged - there's no difference in acceleration either. The brakes do work when I press the pedal - they just feel very stiff now!

My guess is an ABS issue - possibly the module rather than the sensors (given the brake pedal issue), but just wondered if anyone else had any thoughts?

Thankyou in advance & sorry for the long post - just wanted to give as much info. as I could.

Alex.

s_b

dont point the garage
let them ascertain the problem
at first it sounded like an issue with the abs sensor that also does the speedo etc but now you say solid brake pedal im at a loss
car certainly sounds like it needs parking up until trained men can attack it for you though

alexw1

Thanx sb.

Just to clarify - I'm not looking to tell the garage what to do, just to get a good idea of what the issue may be, so I know they're not trying to fix things that aren't broken & making sure I don't get ripped off.

Thanx.

Alex.

matthew23

Hi, did you ever get to the bottom of your brake problem? if so can you tell me what caused it please? Im getting extremely similar problems on my 2001 vectra, I have narrowed my problem down to the abs, my brake pedal intermittently goes solid, sometimes the abs light comes on, when this happens, my brakes work perfectly, so I removed fuse 35 (disabling abs sensors) and my brakes worked perfect, just lost the use of my speedo! so i now know its something to do with abs, not brakes themselves. If you or anyone else can help, I'd be most greatful.

kingstreet

matthew, do you have an OBDII code reader, or could you get access to one? A Vauxhall dealer will charge you about £60 for reading the codes from your ECU. It should be cheaper at a local garage.

I have a list of the codes here if you can get them read.

I reckon you'll find there's either a wheel speed sensor problem; a communication problem between your ECU and your ABS/TC control module, or between the module and the wheel speed sensors.

I have a Saab 9-5, a Vectra B variant. I had similar problems with the ABS, TC and Brake Warning lights coming on. After checking the codes, I ended up taking the ABS/TC module off the ABS pump and sending it to this firm, who repaired and returned it for £125 all in.

http://www.ecutesting.com/contact_us.html

It may be an idea to join VectraSport, or one of the other Vectra owners sites too.

Rolandtheroadie

Have a look at post 4 on the link below (reading fault codes) then check the fault codes on post 1 and see if it all ties in (stored fault relates to an abs problem).

http://www.vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk/index.php?threads/vauxhall-fault-codes-pedal-trick-test.202018/

kingstreet

scotsman - IIRC the pedal method can only be used on newer models. For a 2001 Vec "B" you might have to use the paperclip trick;-

http://www.vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk/index.php?threads/paperclip-test-which-pins-do-i-short.161891/

Rolandtheroadie

kingstreet wrote: »

scotsman - IIRC the pedal method can only be used on newer models. For a 2001 Vec "B" you might have to use the paperclip trick;-

http://www.vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk/index.php?threads/paperclip-test-which-pins-do-i-short.161891/

Quite possible, my 1999 vectra b was paperclip.
I'd read somewhere that vauxhalls after 2000 were different but it may just have been new models.

Tried the paperclip in a 2003 Zafira once, didnt work, when the guy took it to Vauxhall they said they had to replace a fuse somewhere to get the diagnostics plug to work.

colino

Odd that, sounds exactly like a "standard" fault with the ABS controller of BMWs. Problem with them too is that they throw out random wheel sensor faults to begin with (which are OK) before lighting the dash up like a christmas tree.
Hope your tech is good and if it is coincidentally a similar fault, BBA Reman do lots of ABS controller rebuilds.

ruthie77

Hi, it's possibly the abs sensors or the abs rings.

Had the same issues with my 96 vectra. When abs and t\c disconnected there were no issues. I replaced the front abs rings, can be bought on eBay fairly cheaply from a guy in Arbroath, reconnected the sensors and no further issues with the brakes.

If it's the sensors, best bet is trying to find one in a scrapyard that still has the sensors connected, then it's just a case of rewiring. Vauxhall will advise it requires a new rear hub bearing assembly with electrics and this will cost around £60 a side plus IIRC around £45 plus VAT for the sensor unit as it's a one piece unit that fans out the either rear wheel.

Hope this helps.

matthew23

thankyou everyone for your help, I am however aware of the pedal test to read codes, i have 2 codes that need wiping as ive corrected the problems, p0303, misfire pot3, p0100, maf sensor. As ruthie suggested, my next course of action will be to replace all sensors, and the reluctor rings, if this dont help, then i guess its the modulater and abs ecu. many thanks again all.