How to disable ABS warning light for MoT on VW Golf?

Google German Swedish French (GSF.com I think) for a Eurocarparts alternative.

Should be an easier job than taking a dash out to remove a bulb.

Do you have a VW breakers yard close to you? or try sprying some WD40 into the plug of the sensor I did that with my old Toledo.

I have greased a palm to ignore the sensor on Monday.










Did I just write that?

Its daft the ABS law since it actually increases stopping distances but hey ho...

I had this problem with the sensor on one wheel on my renault RX4. Cleaning the sensor usually knocks it off for a day or two!!

Bought a bmw bout five years ago with a new mot. Year later when i took it for its mot the guy in the garage said my car had ABS, I said not it does'nt there's no light on the dash when i turn the ignition on. He said that's cos someones taken the bulb out. In fact they had taken the whole ABS unit out from under the dash. You can't fool the garage mate. They know if your car has ABS or not from the number plate.
 
BMW wanted £540 for new one. I checked some sites on the net and found one for £150, second hand.

Is i this light?

If so then it could be:

- steering angle sensor
- abs sensor

What you can do is get the fault reset and see if it comes back, what you want is to speak to someone with VAGCOM, its software that via a laptop and cable that plugs into the dash, reads and resets ECU data. 

http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/t/142754.aspx

It shouldnt be an MOT failure, mine is on at the moment and its because I replaced the steering column and fcuked the steering angle sensor.

It just means the traction control isnt working.  You can verify this by taking the car up to about 30mph on an empty road and stamping on the brakes.  If it skids, its your abs.  If the abs is working the brake pedal should vibrate and make a noise.  Check the car brakes straight, if it doesnt, then again abs sensor. 

If its the sensor then they are £15 + VAT from  http://www.gsfcarparts.com.  Fitting them is fairly straight forward, 30mins work each side for a DIYer.

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oh and dont take the bulb out, thats stupid, i really cant beleive some ppl are suggesting it.  Fix the problem, dont mask it

Also taking the dash off is a pig plus you need specialised tools to take the steering wheel off.  I know coz I have done it.

I had a 2003 gt tdi, cost me a grand to get the abs and traction control working again after the light came on.

Dodgy abs pump and it's a common fault as are lot's of other things.

Thanks guys.
Cliff, it's not that light. It's the one that just says ABS.
The pumps on these are, indeed, apparently prone to going but several garages have run diagnostics and reckon it's the sensor only.
Car didn't skid when I tried the 70 to 0 in the wet test - ABS kept releasing so, I guess, the ABS itself is working fine.

if a sensor has gone, lets say the on the front left then the front left will remain locked when thumping on the brake and the car will not brake straight.

Like I said if its a sensor, it should be cheap enough.

If its the pump then ring up a breakers yard and get a recon unit.  Though if the ABS is working then I dont see how it can be the pump.

Has the brake fluid been changed,  it should ideally be changed every 2yrs, the old fluid gets bits in it and it could be partially blocking something up.
 

Went to pick the missus up earlier, so tried an experiment - slammed the brakes on stupid hard at about 70 in a straight line. Car stopped, pedal felt a bit lame but no skid/slide. ABS working.

Re-tried at about 30 round two opposing corners - the front left locked.

Then re-tried in a straight line and no lock-up.

I assume the sensor reading the front left is my problem?

Not sure of the brake fluid history, but I doubt it - will change it at same time as sensor.

sensor is cheap, brake fluid is cheap.

for a garage about 15mins to do renew the fluid and probably about 15-30mins to do the sensor.

brake fluid cost should be about £15 max.

so it should all be well under £100, more like £75 all in.

oh and when the pedal goes lame thats the abs working, it sorta vibrates and loses its feel ( thats the pump switching on and off very fast to pulse the brakes in order to get max braking without locking the wheels)

Yup, feels like there's a hole in the line somewhere between the master cylinder and the caliper. :-(

So, £100 all in = very happy.

Broken coil spring sorted.
Blocked washer jet sorted.
Leaking washer bottle sorted.
Bald tyres sorted.
Tracking sorted.
Oil and filter service sorted - looked like the original diesel filter and took an age to bleed.

Just the sensor and the window to go...

Don't suppose you know any quick fixes for the plastic window retaining clip that breaks?

Cheers for the input Cliff. :-)

you had a fluid leak then, thats serious, you are lucky you didnt crash as your brakes could have failed competely at any time.  Check the brake fluid level in the reservior regularly (once a month), the level should not change at all, if it does do not drive the car.

I assume a full brake fluid flush was done ?

The fuel filter, I tend to just renew it instead of just bleeding the water as its only £15, IMO its not worth it.

Every 20K I do the oil, oil filter, fuel filter.  I use the longlife oil which is about £50 for a 5L but its good stuff.  You have to be careful what oil you put in VWs, if the oil isnt rated for your particular engine then it will fcuk it.


Whats this clip ?, can you describe it in abit more detail