ABS light stays on - Joe's easy fix guide

-Joe · 3rd September 2013, 02:14

If the ABS light stays on the ABS will not work when you are driving. Be aware that a R75 with no ABS will skid about under heavy braking, and it's bad for the tyres. So best get it fixed.

1. 9 times out of 10 the fault is due to a sensor fault. If the speedometer has stopped working to it's the front drivers side wheel sensor or wheel bearing magnets.

2. Get a spare sensor, plug this into the front passenger side ABS blue socket in the engine bay.

3. Turn on the ignition, does the light go out? If so then the problem lies in that corner.

4. If the ABS light is still on, try the same test for the rear wheel sensors, the sockets are in the boot.

5. Once you have found the wheel sensor concerned jack up and support the car safely and remove the wheel.

6. Inspect the whole length of the ABS wire, can you see any cable damage? You may be able fix the cable without removing it. If so make a good job of it as needs to be a waterproof repair. If not...

7. Try to undo the bolt securing the sensor in place. Be careful not to sheer it or damage the bolt head. Use your best hexagonal 8mm socket. Use lots of penetrating oil and let it soak in. I had to use a 7.5mm socket on one sensor bolt. I was relieved to see that despite the corrosion to the bolt head, the thread was in better condition and the bolt was removed without trouble.

8. Try to remove the sensor, most of mine were stuck fast and wouldn't come out. Use lots of WD40. If it won't come out... don't drill it, bits of sensor and chaff will end up sticking to the wheel bearing magnets.

9. Fronts.. Remove the driveshaft to get behind the sensor and tap it out with a wooden drift.

10. Rears.. Remove rear disc brake calliper and disc and wheel bearing to get behind the sensor and tap it out with a wooden drift. Easier access on the rear sensors.

11. Front and rears, look at the side of the wheel bearings, notice any damage? Carefully clean the wheel bearing surface that's fitted with magnets facing the sensor, make sure no rust has stuck to it.

12. Clean out the sensor hole. The sensor should be a loose fit. If drilling the hole out be extra careful make sure not to damage the embedded wheel bearing magnets or let chaff stick to the magnets.

13. Reassemble using loctite and a torque wrench where possible. Plug new sensor in and the ABS problem should be fixed.

14. If the ABS sensor swap out didn't find the fault you may have two faults. A t4 session would help at this time. With all the sensors and wheel bearings checked a remaining cause could be isolated using a t4.

3rd September 2013, 02:14	#1
-Joe Avid contributor Rover 75 Classic SE 1.8T Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: wink Posts: 135 Thanks: 0 Thanked 20 Times in 15 Posts	ABS light stays on - Joe's easy fix guide If the ABS light stays on the ABS will not work when you are driving. Be aware that a R75 with no ABS will skid about under heavy braking, and it's bad for the tyres. So best get it fixed. 1. 9 times out of 10 the fault is due to a sensor fault. If the speedometer has stopped working to it's the front drivers side wheel sensor or wheel bearing magnets. 2. Get a spare sensor, plug this into the front passenger side ABS blue socket in the engine bay. 3. Turn on the ignition, does the light go out? If so then the problem lies in that corner. 4. If the ABS light is still on, try the same test for the rear wheel sensors, the sockets are in the boot. 5. Once you have found the wheel sensor concerned jack up and support the car safely and remove the wheel. 6. Inspect the whole length of the ABS wire, can you see any cable damage? You may be able fix the cable without removing it. If so make a good job of it as needs to be a waterproof repair. If not... 7. Try to undo the bolt securing the sensor in place. Be careful not to sheer it or damage the bolt head. Use your best hexagonal 8mm socket. Use lots of penetrating oil and let it soak in. I had to use a 7.5mm socket on one sensor bolt. I was relieved to see that despite the corrosion to the bolt head, the thread was in better condition and the bolt was removed without trouble. 8. Try to remove the sensor, most of mine were stuck fast and wouldn't come out. Use lots of WD40. If it won't come out... don't drill it, bits of sensor and chaff will end up sticking to the wheel bearing magnets. 9. Fronts.. Remove the driveshaft to get behind the sensor and tap it out with a wooden drift. 10. Rears.. Remove rear disc brake calliper and disc and wheel bearing to get behind the sensor and tap it out with a wooden drift. Easier access on the rear sensors. 11. Front and rears, look at the side of the wheel bearings, notice any damage? Carefully clean the wheel bearing surface that's fitted with magnets facing the sensor, make sure no rust has stuck to it. 12. Clean out the sensor hole. The sensor should be a loose fit. If drilling the hole out be extra careful make sure not to damage the embedded wheel bearing magnets or let chaff stick to the magnets. 13. Reassemble using loctite and a torque wrench where possible. Plug new sensor in and the ABS problem should be fixed. 14. If the ABS sensor swap out didn't find the fault you may have two faults. A t4 session would help at this time. With all the sensors and wheel bearings checked a remaining cause could be isolated using a t4.