abs light staying on..help

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XantiaDaveEire
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abs light staying on..help

Post by XantiaDaveEire »

is this an mot failure? :oops:
1998 Xantia 1.9 TD 186k
2008 C4 grand Picasso exclusive 105k #-o
Sid_the_Squid
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Post by Sid_the_Squid »

In a word Yes.
If your car has ABS fitted it must be working, just pulling the bulb won't fool them either.

Some have managed to avoid fixing an ABS issue by wiring the ABS bulb in with something like the 'engine problem' bulb, or the air bag bulb, gives the illusion the abs system is working as normal.

I personally would say get it fixed, ABS is great stuff, except in snow.
Gone to the dark side.

Past Citroens
'99 Xantia HDi Exclusive
'99 Xantia 3.0 V6 Exclusive (Green Goblin)
'02 C5 Hdi 110 LX Estate
'98 Xantia 1.8 sx auto with LPG
'00 Xantia Hdi (110) forte
'97 Xantia 1.9D sx
'93 Xantia 1.9D lx (my first) R.I.P
citroenxm
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Post by citroenxm »

Light on Fail, Bulb out, tester discreation...

In that, if the light doesn't work, it cant be tested, if it cant be tested it cant be failed on..

Paul
Sharing a pug 207 1.6 hdi Sw 16v.
M reg Xm 2.1 td auto exclusive S2 269k and rising
L reg XM V6 12v SEi auto .. Light project

A very sad...
1994 XM 2.1 d auto
XantiaDaveEire
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Post by XantiaDaveEire »

cheers paul :lol:
1998 Xantia 1.9 TD 186k
2008 C4 grand Picasso exclusive 105k #-o
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xantia_v6
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Post by xantia_v6 »

citroenxm wrote:Light on Fail, Bulb out, tester discreation...

In that, if the light doesn't work, it cant be tested, if it cant be tested it cant be failed on..

Paul
Does that work for headlights also? :wink:
citroenxm
Posts: 8061
Joined: 30 Dec 2004, 23:10
Location: Somewhere in North Wales, Anglesey
My Cars: M reg Xm S2 2.1td Auto Exclusive. 269k and rising
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L 94 XM 2.1 TD auto total resto

2008 Peugeot 207 Sw 1.6 16v hdi. 217k and rising
2010 Peugeot 207 SW 1.6 8v HDi 161k and rising
x 70

Post by citroenxm »

Hmmm catch 22 - you can clearly see a headlight out.. I guess you could argue the same for the ABS, if the ECU and block are clearly visable and the ABS rings..

As I said tester discreation...

Paul
Sharing a pug 207 1.6 hdi Sw 16v.
M reg Xm 2.1 td auto exclusive S2 269k and rising
L reg XM V6 12v SEi auto .. Light project

A very sad...
1994 XM 2.1 d auto
andmcit
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Post by andmcit »

No - the tester simply fails or aborts the test. The tester has a catalogue of
every car's ABS self test warning system that is produced - the fact that the
light doesn't ever come on doesn't mean there's no ABS or conversely that it's
there and working anyway when the tester can see with his own eyes the ABS
sensor/front driveshaft CV ring. He can expect a light self test and fail if there
isn't one or one that's a bit iffy in it's action = fail.

Sure I've heard the old if it's not there it can't be tested or failed but that
is where there are extras beyond the key aspects of the car - for example
years ago my GS didn't ever have hazards fitted - I wasn't expected to wire
the car up for them as the age it was made didn't require these yet a 2CV
of a certain vintage HAD to have a working fog lamp as the law required it.
If there isn't a spare wheel present it isn't a fail, just your sad lookout when
you get a puncture...

mirrors, so long as there's two rear view, you don't need in interior one
hanging off the windscreen - think about those big box vans etc - the
requirement is 2 etc, it goes on. There are loads of weird quirks on the
test but bottom line with ABS, a light is a fail unless as Paul says the tester
has his own ideas. One up the road told my pal's Missus he saw the light
was on but was happy that "normal Citroen brakes are the best around"
so there's nothing to worry about... :shock:

Andrew


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Last edited by andmcit on 10 Sep 2009, 11:07, edited 1 time in total.
andmcit
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Post by andmcit »

On a more constructive note, a lit ABS warning light isn't a good idea really
and very likely a poor connection to a wheel sensor or a failed sensor. Try a
search for Xantia ABS light using the search option for this forum at the top
of any page here. All should be clear and covered between s1 and s2 pin out
positions for multimeter testing on the ABS ecu etc.

Andrew


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wheeler
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Post by wheeler »

As far as the ABS light is concerned its not testers discresion, it's black & white. If the car is fitted with ABS it must have a warning light fitted, If it fails to iluminate then it is a reason for failure.

See here > http://www.ukmot.com/3-4.asp
wheeler
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Post by wheeler »

andmcit wrote:If there isn't a spare wheel present it isn't a fail, just your sad lookout when
you get a puncture...
The spare wheel/tyre is not part of the MOT test therefore it cant be failed even if it is present.
citroenxm
Posts: 8061
Joined: 30 Dec 2004, 23:10
Location: Somewhere in North Wales, Anglesey
My Cars: M reg Xm S2 2.1td Auto Exclusive. 269k and rising
L reg XM S1 V6 12v Manual SEi
L 94 XM 2.1 TD auto total resto

2008 Peugeot 207 Sw 1.6 16v hdi. 217k and rising
2010 Peugeot 207 SW 1.6 8v HDi 161k and rising
x 70

Post by citroenxm »

So, i Was wrong, but three of my MOT people havent quireied a NON light situation...

Thats why I was under the impression, its up to him to decide if he wants to pass it or not.. but the response I got was "If it cant be tested, it cant be failed... :? "

Paul
Sharing a pug 207 1.6 hdi Sw 16v.
M reg Xm 2.1 td auto exclusive S2 269k and rising
L reg XM V6 12v SEi auto .. Light project

A very sad...
1994 XM 2.1 d auto
wheeler
Posts: 6849
Joined: 21 Sep 2002, 19:07
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars:
x 718

Post by wheeler »

Just really depends how on the ball they are, after all Its eaisier to notice the light staying on that it not coming on at all.
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