ABS. I have searched but cant find an answer.

[marmitemania]

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You may have seen my first post New Van. I'm very pleased with it and now I have replaced the damaged panels and fitted some proper ford mudflaps all round shes looking very tidy. Now despite telling you I'm an ex mechanic and that I spent 10 years working on Transits mostly smileys and MK6's but Mk7's in the last few years, I do have an ABS issue with the van, the light is on all the time along with the red brake warning light,I have put my generic obd scanner on the van and apart from the missfire which I was expecting, no other codes showed, the lights very occasionally go out for a few seconds but soon come back on. Can anyone give me any pointers as the MK6's I used to look after (around 20 of them) none had abs. I do wonder if the cab has been jet washed but no other electrics play up apart from the fuel gauge being a little slow on the up take sometimes. It has not been jet washed under the bonnet so I'm hoping the abs module is ok. Thanks in advance for any help or pointers. Just to confirm it's a 2005 MK6 2.3 petrol.

[loot]

You need a code reader that can access mk6 abs systems i think
If the light is on telling you there's a fault when in neutral and not moving them it's a hard code, wiring, Sensor or module.

You need forscan or ids to diagnose it i think.

[ned]

I have an ABS light on my van, I know the fault lies with the rear n/s wheel, I know because I took the drum off and accidentally bent the abs ring on the bearing.

Have a good look at all the ABS rings on each wheel.

Also I have found if your pads are getting low the sensor puts the ABS and brake warning light on, this on my van was accompanied by a buzzing type sound upon braking.

So its simple and free to check all ABS rings and brake discs, pads and shoes.

Also check your brake fluid level, don't just look at the level on the reservoir as its a bleeding liar, take the cap off and check it that way.

[marmitemania]

Thanks for the tips chaps. I know the front pads are low but I cant spot any pad sensors going to the front. Does it have them or does it work some other way?

[ned]

I think and I could be wrong the sensor is on the inner pad (not changed them for a couple of years), I'll have a look at mine tomorrow, it could even be some kind of witchcraft N

[marmitemania]

When I used to work on Transits all day every day I did know that the pad sensor is on the inside pad. It's when I had a quick look I could not see any pad sensor wires. I will have a better look tomorrow, failing that I'm stumped.

[ake]

A generic code reader will only read engine codes, you'll need a better one such as ids to see abs codes.
Sensor, rings and wiring are the common culprits for abs faults

[marmitemania]

Thanks AKE I have checked the van out today and the discs and pads are about had it on the front but it does not have pad sensors just the little squealer tab so I can eliminate the pads as the reason. The fluid level is topped up to the mark and I disconnected the battery for 1/2 an hour or so to see if that re set it. I also cleaned up the front abs rings whilst the wheels were off, I just need to look at the backs. Will a top line Snap On scanner read the ABS. I should have known my little generic OBD reader would not give me the answer. Thanks again.

[ake]

Thanks AKE I have checked the van out today and the discs and pads are about had it on the front but it does not have pad sensors just the little squealer tab so I can eliminate the pads as the reason. The fluid level is topped up to the mark and I disconnected the battery for 1/2 an hour or so to see if that re set it. I also cleaned up the front abs rings whilst the wheels were off, I just need to look at the backs. Will a top line Snap On scanner read the ABS. I should have known my little generic OBD reader would not give me the answer. Thanks again.

Some snap on stuff will work

[marmitemania]

New twist to this saga now. I noticed that if i wiggle the ignition switch the abs and red brake warning light flicker and occasionally go out. Whats happening here? I am now wondering if it needs a new ignition switch. If anyone can help I would be much appreciative. Thanks in advance chaps.

[marmitemania]

Just been out to the van and had the shroud off the steering column if I wiggle the plug at the back that goes into a grey box which I assume is the actual ignition switch itself the lights abs and red warning lights flicker and the radio goes off. Wiggling the wiring further down makes no difference so it seems like it's an issue with either the plug or the switch. Has anyone come across this before. I also didn't mention that the van does not start sometimes, you have to turn the key on and off half a dozen times and then it will go.

[ned]

Ignition switch is a common failing point and are about 15 sovs to buy N

[marmitemania]

Right chaps. I have just been out to the van and took the ignition switch off the back of the barrel. Took it apart springs contacts and little bits everywhere . Anyway sh!t or bust so I cleaned up all the bits that were covered in dry black contact grease and somehow with a bit of luck got it all back together I refitted to the van and (drum roll please) it started and the lights went out. Result.

[smokeytransit]

Good result and thanks for letting the forum know the outcome as it may be useful to someone in the same situation
Clean van by the way.

[marmitemania]

Thanks Smokey transit. Yes it is clean I feel I almost stole for £850. It only has 97000 on the clock and no advisorys on the M.O.T about corrosion which is backed up when you look underneath its like new. It has had an easy life though I think 2 owners the first being the Sewing machine centre in London (you can still see where the graphics were on the side) and the second owner was a hotel in Royal Lymington Spa. The sills and wheel arches are as clean as the day it left the factory, it just has a bump on the side loading door (I have got a very clean one from the local scrapyard for £20) and I just need to sort a dent out near the passenger rear light. I'm very pleased with it although I dont think the LPG works as it hesitates when switched on to that, I'm not bothered though as I will just run it on Petrol.