ABS module problem

[Bushbasher]

Just came back from the local dealer after trying to get a pink slip thinking I needed a wheel sensor replaced only to discover the ABS module on the Fairlane is cactus. As it's the high end unit for ABS and traction control I can't just stick any old module in, it has to be Series II-III Fairlane or Fairmont Ghia one with traction control.

So does anyone happen to have an example of what I need that I could buy or trade for?
I've put a post in the wanted section but I'm hoping one here might get a better response. I'm pretty desperate as my rego ran out today and if I don't get it sorted within 2 weeks I'll be up for another pink slip fee,

Cheers
Bushbasher

[KR1STO]

What's Ford's price on a new module...?
I'd hate to think......It'd probably be huge..

[macman]

It's apparently a common failure and "99% of the time" is in the electronic part of the ABS unit (rather than the hydraulics or pump) and the two halves are joined by 6 hex-head screws.

The idea is you remove the electronic part (two plugs and six screws) and then you can send off the electronics for a $250 repair (to be returned with better than factory electronics).

I haven't done this myself (yet) as I have a spare ABS unit with (apparently) no faults which I'm going to use to "test" this theory.

See the below two websites:

www.autoelectronics.com.au

www.absrepair.com.au

[KR1STO]

Thanks for the links Macman...!
Rep coming your way!!!!!

[macman]

Oh and by the way, this is all well and good provided it's the electronics that have failed in the unit (rather than solenoids or the pump itself).

The electronic part can be removed and the car can still be driven (and be operational) without the electronics, as the hydraulics aren't effected. You will just have no ABS - which I assume you don't currently anyway...

[macman]

Lastly (sorry, brain over-load as I've currently been doing a LOT of research into this) the units are common across a few makes and models, some with only slight differences (probably in the electronics and pin-outs) but Bosh is a common ABS unit manufacturer and if you do some googling you will see people with Audis, Volvos, Holdens (all of the same vintage) with exactly the same issues.

Goodluck (lol).

[atomiclord]

Just wondering, if my forte ABS unit is cactus, can I replace it with a traction control model? Are there any other components to the traction control system?

There's no TC info in my Gregory's manual.

[Bushbasher]

Originally Posted by KR1STO

What's Ford's price on a new module...?
I'd hate to think......It'd probably be huge..

I was told "about" $900.


.

[Bushbasher]

Originally Posted by macman

Oh and by the way, this is all well and good provided it's the electronics that have failed in the unit (rather than solenoids or the pump itself).

The electronic part can be removed and the car can still be driven (and be operational) without the electronics, as the hydraulics aren't effected. You will just have no ABS - which I assume you don't currently anyway...

It seems to be the electronics as the brakes are still working fine but when they plugged in the diagnostic it couldn't get a read from the module and said it was possibly a bad earth or dud module. When the bloke took the plug off there was evidence of water having got into the plug although there was still power coming in from all 4 corners of the car.

Thanks for those links Macman, definitely deserves some rep I think.

Cheers
Bushbasher

[greenguzzler]

Hey Nick,
My ABS module did the same and i sent it to absrepair guys that was listed above. Works great too. The only bad thing is getting the module out. I had the local Ford dealer remove it then reinstall it for about $150 plus bleeding the brakes. Hope this helps.

[sleeper393]

yeah mine plays up too , if my abs light isn't on it shudders and grinds , as soon as the abs light come on no more noise, can put a second hand unit in but someone said that i have to get the right one as per code numbers on top of the unit , even low series models arent interchangable with low series, different codes , so im told,

[bartsau]

Originally Posted by sleeper393

yeah mine plays up too , if my abs light isn't on it shudders and grinds , as soon as the abs light come on no more noise, can put a second hand unit in but someone said that i have to get the right one as per code numbers on top of the unit , even low series models arent interchangeable with low series, different codes , so im told,

I have sold a couple on ebay, 1 with traction control and 2 without and i have never had anyone report back that they are no good or not working. The guy with the traction control rang to say thanks heaps because it was going to cost $1200 or something for a new one.

Cheers, Rhys

[sleeper393]

Originally Posted by bartsau

I have sold a couple on ebay, 1 with traction control and 2 without and i have never had anyone report back that they are no good or not working. The guy with the traction control rang to say thanks heaps because it was going to cost $1200 or something for a new one.

Cheers, Rhys

so i need one for a low series AU 3 , WHATS WITH THE CORRECT CODE , THAT IS ON TOP NEAR THE BAR CODE , or that doesn't matter.

[Bushbasher]

Well, I pulled the ABS module on monday morning and express posted it to Specialised Automotive Electronics as per the link supplied by Macman and lo and behold it turned back up, express posted, in my post box this morning all fixed and ready to go complete with warranty. I'll fit it in the morning and hopefully have the car rego'd and back on the road by lunchtime.

A big thanks to Antony Pazin for his outstanding service.



Cheers
Bushbasher

[Bushbasher]

Originally Posted by sleeper393

so i need one for a low series AU 3 , WHATS WITH THE CORRECT CODE , THAT IS ON TOP NEAR THE BAR CODE , or that doesn't matter.

As far as I can figure out from talking to the local Ford dealers service manager and Antony Pazin and a few other people while trying to track down a replacement module, the series 1 modules, both traction control and non traction control are different to series 2-3 units but all the SII-III non traction control units should be interchangeable.
Also it seems there's an inherent weakness/fault with the AU ABS modules but only the traction control version. The non TC units seem to be pretty robust on the whole so going with a second hand one should be a pretty safe bet.


Bushbasher

[Bushbasher]

Well, my new best friend is now Antony Pazin who is also elevated to legend status !!

Here's the story; I fitted the ABS module back in this morning after plugging it in to make sure it worked, which it did. Then when I started the car the bloody ABS light came back on,hmmmm. Ok, no worries, there must still be a wheel sensor issue like I originally thought, I'll just go to the dealer and get the code read so I know which one it it and change it then they'll sign off on the pink slip and it's all good.

Weeellllllll, service manager plugs in the laptop and the ABS is talking to the laptop now no worries but it's saying there's an internal error with the module, BUGGER!!! So, back home I'm on the phone to Antony explaining that the module is now reading ok but still has a fault.

Antony - "Oooohh, that's not good, that usually means you need a new module"

Me - ,OH CRAP!! "so I just wasted $250 for nothing"

Antony - "no mate, that's ok, if it doesn't work I won't charge you"

Me - " thanks mate. I don't suppose you have one I could buy by any chance?"

Antony - " no but I'll make a couple of calls and see if I can find one for you no problem, give me your number I'll call you back"

Me - " mate , that's great, I really appreciate that thanks"

less than 5 minutes later the phone rings ;

Antony - " I got one organised, it'll be sent over to me so I can check the serial number is right before I send it to you"

Me - "sweet, do I pay you or do I pay the other guy direct?"

Antony - " No, just pay me like you were going to. I'll open it up and do the mod to make sure it doesn't fail and send it out express today so you'll have it tomorrow"

Me - " Antony, you're a bloody legend, how much do I owe you?"

Antony - " no worries, just pay the same amount you were going to pay for the other one she'll be right"


At that point I would have kissed him if I could have.

So Thank you Mr Antony Pazin of Specialized Automotive Electronics in Parramatta for not only your outstandingly speedy turn around time in the first instance but your truly legendary service above and beyond the call of duty. I am indebted to you and can't praise and recommend you and your business highly enough, thank you, thank you, thank you.


Bushbasher

[macman]

So you sent over just the black part to Specialised Automotive Electronics?

Is he suggesting the fault is no longer with the electronics but the pump itself?

[POELWYK]

i have a abs module for sale if anyone needs one

[Bushbasher]

Macman, yes I just sent over the black part after removing it from the block where all the brake lines run into. No Antony is not suggesting the pump is dead but that the electronics module is the problem. He said the internal error code was rare and that he'd love to know what caused it so I said he could have the faulty one to play with at his leisure. It's the least I can do seeing as he basically sourced me a replacement free of charge and is modding it. He is only charging me the same $250 he was going to charge me to mod/repair my own module.


Bushbasher

[sleeper393]

Originally Posted by POELWYK

i have a abs module for sale if anyone needs one

pm sent

[sleeper393]

Originally Posted by Bushbasher

Well, my new best friend is now Antony Pazin who is also elevated to legend status !!

Here's the story; I fitted the ABS module back in this morning after plugging it in to make sure it worked, which it did. Then when I started the car the bloody ABS light came back on,hmmmm. Ok, no worries, there must still be a wheel sensor issue like I originally thought, I'll just go to the dealer and get the code read so I know which one it it and change it then they'll sign off on the pink slip and it's all good.

Weeellllllll, service manager plugs in the laptop and the ABS is talking to the laptop now no worries but it's saying there's an internal error with the module, BUGGER!!! So, back home I'm on the phone to Antony explaining that the module is now reading ok but still has a fault.

Antony - "Oooohh, that's not good, that usually means you need a new module"

Me - ,OH CRAP!! "so I just wasted $250 for nothing"

Antony - "no mate, that's ok, if it doesn't work I won't charge you"

Me - " thanks mate. I don't suppose you have one I could buy by any chance?"

Antony - " no but I'll make a couple of calls and see if I can find one for you no problem, give me your number I'll call you back"

Me - " mate , that's great, I really appreciate that thanks"

less than 5 minutes later the phone rings ;

Antony - " I got one organised, it'll be sent over to me so I can check the serial number is right before I send it to you"

Me - "sweet, do I pay you or do I pay the other guy direct?"

Antony - " No, just pay me like you were going to. I'll open it up and do the mod to make sure it doesn't fail and send it out express today so you'll have it tomorrow"

Me - " Antony, you're a bloody legend, how much do I owe you?"

Antony - " no worries, just pay the same amount you were going to pay for the other one she'll be right"


At that point I would have kissed him if I could have.

So Thank you Mr Antony Pazin of Specialized Automotive Electronics in Parramatta for not only your outstandingly speedy turn around time in the first instance but your truly legendary service above and beyond the call of duty. I am indebted to you and can't praise and recommend you and your business highly enough, thank you, thank you, thank you.


Bushbasher

so you need to have the right code to suit your vehicle
Antony - " I got one organised, it'll be sent over to me so I can check the serial number is right before I send it to you"

[POELWYK]

Originally Posted by sleeper393

pm sent

No pm reseved yet

[sleeper393]

Pm Sent

[Bushbasher]

Originally Posted by sleeper393

so you need to have the right code to suit your vehicle
Antony - " I got one organised, it'll be sent over to me so I can check the serial number is right before I send it to you"

Yes and no. He was told it was from a series 2 and my 'lane is a series 2. the check is just to make sure it is in fact a series 2 unit. The series 1 unit is incompatible where series 2-3 are the same. Everyone I've spoken to from dealer service managers to wreckers to Antony himself all agree that any series 2-3 traction control version should work ok.


Bushbasher

[stangman]

Sent Antony my LTD ABS module from Brisbane on Tuesday 1030 received it back Thursday afternoon back in car 1hr later working perfect.Great service cost $250 with 12month warranty.

[greenguzzler]

Yep i got the same great service as well. He is a champ!

[grym2010]

I took my 02 AU SERIES 3 FAIRMONT for pink slip this morning and the lights for abs and traction control came on while they were doing the brake test, told me it was an instant fail.

Mechanic found a place that does exchange, will have the part this afternoon, hoping to have the abs/tcl unit installed along with the new coil pack and leads by 4-5pm.

I paid $116 for the coil pack, $75 for the new leads, $400 for the exchange abs/tcl unit and another $140 for the abs wheel sensor (if the abs /tcl unit does not solve the lights on dash)

My mech hooked up his computer to my fairmont only to find the abs/tcl unit was non-existent according to my computer. So he tells me he is "pretty sure" that we have to replace that as "the issue", FORD told me 3-4 weeks ago it was only the drivers front abs wheel sensor that was giving a fault!

[aussieman11]

Originally Posted by sleeper393

yeah mine plays up too , if my abs light isn't on it shudders and grinds , as soon as the abs light come on no more noise, can put a second hand unit in but someone said that i have to get the right one as per code numbers on top of the unit , even low series models arent interchangable with low series, different codes , so im told,

thanks heaps just changed abs module looks like it is now working