ABS Light

wijcc

wijcc

wijcc

Soldato
Joined
10 Aug 2003
Posts
2,696
Location
London
A quick question, normally when you switch/turn ignition on on your car, the ABS light comes on and then goes off. I had a problem with the ABS light before, the garage I took it to, changed some sensors (ABS ring, speed sensor etc).
They also did a software update on the car now the ABS light does not come on when you start the car/ turn ignition. They said that with the new software update the abs light only comes on if there is a problem. Is this correct I thought all cars with ABS the light comes on when you switch on the car and then goes off?
The car in question is a Mini 1.6 One 2003 model


Thanks in advance.
 
I'm not sure about mini, but every car I have had with abs the light comes on and then goes out.

How will you know if the bulb has blown if it only lights up on a fault?

Easy test is to unplug an abs sensor and see if it shows a fault.

I would be suspicious of the garage....
 
Yeah, I wouldn't see why they'd disable that (given there is no issue with it coming on for a second and then off again)...

I wouldn't be too surprised if they just pulled the bulb and charged you for a fix.
 
Might be mistaken, but I thought for MOT purposes the ABS light is supposed to light up when starting the car and then extinguish in order to pass.
 
Yep, bulb should light up during ignition on and go out once the engine is running/abs is checked.

That bulb is either missing, or covered up.
 
Thanks guy as I thought. Double confirmed by phoning and speaking to the technical dept at BWM mini dealer service centre.
 
Deffo should light up when ignition is turned on as it is a MOT fail, Sounds like maybe they have gone for the easy fix of removing it.
 
Software updates on a 2003 Mini One :p That's a good one.

The stupid thing is it would have probably taken longer to take the bulb out than just fix the issue with a £15 eBay ABS sensor.

Out of interest - how much did they charge you for their ingenious fix?
 
All together it was £160 for changing the hub and speed sensor. They have "reset" the update and now say the abs controller which is on a pump needs repair which with labour is another £220. They will send off the pump and get it repaired by a specialist company.
 
So they have charged you £160 to change a hub, change an ABS speed sensor and do some mythical non existent "software update"... and now they want to charge you another £220 for an ABS controller (what even is that?) because they have misdiagnosed and unnecessarily fitted two parts.

I get that some people don't know about cars, but take the hint we've all been trying to give you - they've screwed you over. I'm surprised they didn't try and sell you some magic beans.

Does the ABS light now illuminate when you turn the ignition on?
 
£220 isn't bad if that includes removal and refitting of the abs module/pump and the recon.

That said I would be pretty ****** if I had paid £160 already for a sensor and reluctor ring. ABS systems aren't difficult to diagnose.

I would be looking for a different garage.
 
wijcc said:
All together it was £160 for changing the hub and speed sensor. They have "reset" the update and now say the abs controller which is on a pump needs repair which with labour is another £220. They will send off the pump and get it repaired by a specialist company.
Click to expand...

They don't know what's wrong with it

Ask someone else to look at the car, whilst they are doing so specifically ask them to show you where the previous garage has put a new hub on / speed sensor - it should be very obvious. Take photos
 
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