A4B7 ABS Problem

[raymond07]

Greetings,

My A4B7 (Asia/Singapore model, right hand drive) ESP/ABS is acting up recently. There can be a few possible scenarios after observing it for about 1 month already,
- totally fine for a stretch of 1 to 4 days
- ESP flash intermittently regardless whether i am stationary or moving (stop after a while) but no error or CEL
- ESP stays on but no ABS error or CEL
- ESP flash intermittently and bring up ABS error then CEL
- ESP and ABS light up immediate after car start follow by CEL
- ESP and ABS error clears up overnight when i start car in the morning

I did a couple of diagnostics before and the fault code generated when the lights are up are as follows,
- 01435 pressure sensor no response
- 00003 control unit defective

Based on the various mechanics I consulted, it is likely that my ABS module is faulty as the ESP and ABS sit in the same unit. When I check online, this is quite a common fault and many people experiencing it, and a common fault is due to loose wires within the control unit and many fix it just by a 10min soldering job.

So I have a few options now,
1) Live with the "christmas tree" lighting
2) Remove my ABS, ship to a UK firm for repair (www.ecutesting.com), recommended by my mechanic
3) Purchase a used unit (US$600 to US$800 inclusive of labour) from scrap yard to replace
4) Purchase a new unit (US$3.2k from local dealer, US$2k from stocklist) to replace
5) DIY fix on the ABS unit, if cannot fix, adopt any of option 1 to 4 again

Anyway, in my personal opinion, ABS is just a good-to-have component in daily driving as we don't have snow or ice in our part of the world where it is most useful. So I am totally fine with driving without it if I can turn the CEL off, which understand is not impossible.

Long story short, anyone here can share their experience on,
- Your experience with fixing your current/previous ABS problem?

- Anyone has a faulty unit sitting at home (Part No. 8E0 614 517 AK) which I can purchase to DIY?

- Any other feasible fix?

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Unhook your positive and negative battery cables. With them unhooked from the battery, touch them together for 30 seconds. This is called a static discharge and it will reset all your electronics and clear your codes. Most of the time this clears up any bugs. If it doesn't help, you can unplug your control unit, but it will still light up your dash unfortunately.

I hope this helps!

Jason

[raymond07]

By doing so, I suppose I will also clear all my radio presets too?

Unhook your positive and negative battery cables. With them unhooked from the battery, touch them together for 30 seconds. This is called a static discharge and it will reset all your electronics and clear your codes. Most of the time this clears up any bugs. If it doesn't help, you can unplug your control unit, but it will still light up your dash unfortunately.

I hope this helps!

Jason

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

By doing so, I suppose I will also clear all my radio presets too?

Correct.

Jason

[raymond07]

Any other solutions please?

[raymond07]

Correct.

Jason

Jason, I was looking thru ur site and found few types of abs sensor (e.g. http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_A4-.../ABS/ES440909/) for sale, in your opinion, what would be the best way to check whether it is a faulty sensor or faulty abs control unit?

[raymond07]

Finally found a mechanic that can accurately and confidently point it that it is the braking pressure sensor (G201) inside the ABS pump that is failing that cause the problem.
Two quick question,

Q1) Can I replace my ABS with another ABS of the same part number but different postfix character? e.g. current part is "8E0 614 517 AK", can I use "8E0 614 517 BG" to replace?

Q2) I think I read somewhere that changing of some electronic parts would requires reprogramming, anyone know if changing the ABS requires such task? And who can do it?

Thanks.

[raymond07]

Anyone can help with my question please?

[mariosa4]

don't even think on trying a different number, you will just loose your money..
here is a link on ebay.de, a cheap one that i've found , if you look there you will find many alternatives

http://www.ebay.de/itm/VW-Audi-A4-8E...7aebee1&_uhb=1

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Jason, I was looking thru ur site and found few types of abs sensor (e.g. http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_A4-.../ABS/ES440909/) for sale, in your opinion, what would be the best way to check whether it is a faulty sensor or faulty abs control unit?

If you have your car scanned with VAG-COM there would be a code that pops up. Other than that I can't really think of any other way to determine if its the sensor or the control unit.

And I see that you had it diagnosed. As for a different part number I'm pretty sure the ending letters mean it's a whole different part- correct me if I am wrong. Our site doesn't even pull up anything with the first part number. Is that the one that's on your car?

[raymond07]

First thing first, I am told by an experienced car mechanic using the VAG-COM software to diagnose my car that 99% sure it is the brake pressure sensor (G201) inside the ABS pump that is faulty, causing my ABS control unit to fail. I have to replace the entire ABS control unit + pump to fix this problem.

====

Onto the second part, which is regarding the part number. I am getting a lot of different answers,

1) Some people (e.g. mariosa4) tells me that the part number must be exact fit "8E0 614 517 AK" in order to work.

2) Stockist or car workshop telling me that AK is no longer available, the latest version for my car is "8E0 614 517 BG"

3) A kind friend using a ETKA software to check version telling me that my ABS has gone thru 2 revision (in line with point 2 above)
"first was your original AK , it went to AM , then by 1st june 2006, was finally revised to BG version.
So u can look for the follow 3 model :
8E0 614 517 AK or
8E0 614 517 AM or
8E0 614 517 BG (which is the latest one)"

So can I safely assume that I can look for a working AK, AM and BG unit model to replace mine?

[raymond07]

There is 2 part number on my ABS unit,

1) Audi Part No: 8E0 614 517 AK
2) Bosch Part No: 0 265 234 336

The replacement unit need to match both or only one the part number?

[JPT]

Nothing to contribute... Just wanted to say I miss Singapore.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

First thing first, I am told by an experienced car mechanic using the VAG-COM software to diagnose my car that 99% sure it is the brake pressure sensor (G201) inside the ABS pump that is faulty, causing my ABS control unit to fail. I have to replace the entire ABS control unit + pump to fix this problem.

====

Onto the second part, which is regarding the part number. I am getting a lot of different answers,

1) Some people (e.g. mariosa4) tells me that the part number must be exact fit "8E0 614 517 AK" in order to work.

2) Stockist or car workshop telling me that AK is no longer available, the latest version for my car is "8E0 614 517 BG"

3) A kind friend using a ETKA software to check version telling me that my ABS has gone thru 2 revision (in line with point 2 above)
"first was your original AK , it went to AM , then by 1st june 2006, was finally revised to BG version.
So u can look for the follow 3 model :
8E0 614 517 AK or
8E0 614 517 AM or
8E0 614 517 BG (which is the latest one)"

So can I safely assume that I can look for a working AK, AM and BG unit model to replace mine?

Makes sense. What's your VIN number I can pull up the part that came exactly on the vehicle and see if it mentions a super session of a new part number if there is an update.

Jason

[raymond07]

I will try to get my VIN number tomorrow, but anyway these two are the number that is clearly engraved over my current ABS unit and I am pretty sure it is the original unit.
1) Audi Part No: 8E0 614 517 AK
2) Bosch Part No: 0 265 234 336

Jason: I cannot find this part number on ecstuning.com, do you carry stock for this?

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

We only have a parts database for US and European cars. I'm not exactly sure which market your car would come from I'll need the VIN to find anymore information.

Jason

[mariosa4]

pretty sure you have the original part

http://www.ebay.de/itm/ABS-ESP-Hydra...#ht_846wt_1271

by the way this week i bought an abs unit from ebay.de at really low cost

[raymond07]

pretty sure you have the original part

http://www.ebay.de/itm/ABS-ESP-Hydra...#ht_846wt_1271

by the way this week i bought an abs unit from ebay.de at really low cost

Have you installed it yet?
Does it need any reprogramming work? Or is it an plug-and-play piece of work?

[mariosa4]

not yet but it needs reprogramming , that is sure. It's not a big deal ,you could do it yourself with a vagcom cable if you know how to do it.
if you don't take it to your mechanic to fix it
note that if you buy from ebay choose a qualified seller like the one i sent you on the link