quote:
Originally posted by CleverButStupid
Read this first, before you let Forum Engineers give you bad advice and waste your hard earned money when it comes to
"ABS" faults. They seem to always say replace the ABS unit - wow! another $600 wasted for nothing. From these forums and
talking to mechanics about "ABS" faults, it rarely is the ABS.
I learnt the hard way - I followed the advice and replaced the ABS unit - same exact fault still there. Like arnie (this
post) mine comes on when the small? engine fan comes on. The fault codes say Low Speed fan and Theft-Deterrent (also means data fault). So can someone (maybe not a Forum Engineer) pls tell me the best place to look to fix a data fault that seems to involve one of the electronic fans?
This particular 'Forum Engineer' has not just said replace the ABS module when any fault emerges.
I've owned & run an automotive workshop for 34 years. If I 'just replaced' things without doing some initial diagnosis, I would have been out of business years ago. As part of my business I sell a lot of automotive electronic parts to the trade & as such, often end up advising them how to approach a particular fault. Many owners & technicians want a 'quick fix', they want me to diagnose (over the phone) a fault which I haven't checked out first hand, on a car I've never seen before, yet they want me to tell them how to fix it or what to replace.
My standard answer to such requests is to do some proper diagnosis first & that you don't repair a car by just 'throwing parts at it' & hoping for the best.
After decades of doing this there are some faults which you can be 99% confident of knowing the fix without seeing the car, but some sensible verbal diagnosis is still required even then. If you read the last 10 pages on this topic there are many different symptoms mentioned & no one (especially me) has suggested to replace the ABS module as a fix in every case.
The simple facts are (for VT to VY), if many indicator lights become illuminated & some other symptoms emerge (e.g. erratic gauge readings, a/cond operation, auto trans shift patterns issues) the probable cause IS the ABS module. But you must do a few checks first. If you have access to a scanner, or know somebody who has, check the fault codes. If there is no communication, then 'case closed', fit another module (around $350, not $600 BTW). If you have other issues like strange cooling fan operation or ABS or Trac lights coming on, do some further diagnosis, it is probably NOT the module & may be something cheaper &/or simpler. Another very simple check, requiring no fancy equipment at all is to unplug the ABS & then drive the car to check everything else. Sure the ABS & Trac lights will be on, but everything else should return to normal. If it doesn't your problem is NOT in the ABS module.
As I said, if you can communicate with the ABS module it is most likely OK. A cooling fan issue is more likely to be a body control module or even the engine ECU, but as I keep saying get someone who knows to diagnose the problem first & don't just do what someone on an internet forum has suggested.
Dr Terry
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The best argument against democracy is a 5 minute conversation with the average voter.