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The dreaded ABS module problem.....

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24K views 10 replies 4 participants last post by  Rauer  
#1 ·
Whats the latest on the whole VW goodwill gesture thing? Mines just gone (G201)
 
#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
It went on my 07 Golf 5 in April 2011 just as VW were beginning to cave in on their "out of warranty not our fault" stance and it cost me about ÂŁ150 after goodwill.

I know they introduced a FOC fix thereafter but didn't follow it through since. Not 100% what the current position is but a quick on-line search revealed posts in other groups from the middle of last year suggesting it's extended up to 250k miles and people were getting 05 cars done FOC without problem.

Only stipulation seems to be they will need to do a diagnostic and it needs to show the 01435 (G201) fault and they'll then refund the diagnostic and fix FOC. They won't accept a third party diagnostic

Suggest you contact the service people at your local dealer for confirmation. If VW aren't paying any more there's a repair part or recon unit readily available and it's only 1-2 hrs so you should be able to get an independent to do it for less than ÂŁ350
 
#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
Phoned my local stealer regarding this. They said they would have to do the diagnostic @ÂŁ90 and send the results to VW who would then decide on whether to repair the car as goodwill or not, decision on a car by car basis. I asked if there was any criteria that needed to be met as I didn't see any point in wasting 90 quid if my car doesn't meet the criteria. I said its a late 03 touran an o;n 118k with a full VW service history. Oh I'll go and ask he said. He came back and said for cars up to ten years old, after that VW don't have to goodwill anything at all!
So there you have it I have to spend 90 pounds on a diagnostic which VW have to do to prove the car is there, otherwise its a licence to print money he said! How ironic!!! and I still don't know whether VW will even help me!!!
 
#4 ·
To be fair the practice of main dealers charging a similar sum for diagnostics has been pretty universal for a long time so its not just a VW thing. I know of some independents that charge too although usually a more acceptable ÂŁ20-25. Still not bad for plugging in a computer lead and twiddling your thumbs while it carries out the work, ten minutes tops. (I have VCDS that I use regularly)

VW did take quite a while to accept this as their problem and many unlucky people got no goodwill at all and a ÂŁ1k+ bill (new pump module at that time as no repair kit made) and I still had to pay something on a 4yo car after they started to change their policy and thereafter many people paid nothing.

I know it's no consolation if your car doesn't qualify but I suppose that 10yo is quite a long time in car terms. Even then it is frustrating that they won't reveal what they are prepared to do (if anything) without charging a diagnostic. I had a written report and diagnostic from an independent they wouldn't accept and I had to pay the dealer diagnostic and that wasn't refunded in the goodwill I got

Might be worth writing directly to VW at Milton Keynes rather than rely on the dealership, my local one is a waste of space at customer service
 
#5 ·
Cheers Gerry, I've emailed VW asking for clarification, I don't mind paying for a diagnostic to pave the way for a repair but I'd rather know beforehand if there is no chance, its half the price towards the repair kit, let's see if they bother replying!
Lots of people are disallusioned with vag group due to problems and customer service, I think the only thing the group have going for them is their bulletproof residuals.
 
#9 · (Edited by Moderator)
ON the Mark 4 golf its behind and hidden by the air filter on the right side.

My ABS module was toast when i recently got the Golf. Intermittent signal faults from ABS, and other systems in car reporting communication faults with ABS. Permanent ABS light and flashing red light on dash.

I found this to be a very straightforward repair despite my initial uncertainty.

Purchases:

- Bought a working unit from a breaker on eBay off a skoda (same part number) for ÂŁ16 delivered.

- Bought a pressure bleed kit of amazon for about ÂŁ30 ( A Sealey unit with a big discount)

- Bought 5 litres of brake fluid DOT 4 for about ÂŁ16

Other tools / materials:

Jack

Axles stands

Paper towels

Flare nut spanner (I ended used an impact socket since my bleed nipples were pretty rusty). I thought it odd the 2 front bleed nipples are 10mm and the rears 11 mm.

Releasing fluid (I make up 50 / 50 acetone and ATF and apply it with a small dentistry irrigation syringe a few drops on each bleed nipple thread and leave for a few mins. I found this is the best releasing fluid by a long shot.

Method

Removed old ABS. ECU cable, 6 pipe and 3 bolts. I capped the pipes with the rubber bleed nipple caps to stop fluid loss / air ingress. Cable tied ECU cable out of the way with a plastic bag over it to stop dirt etc).

Fitted replacement ABS and ECU unit

Had a small delay here in as much as one of the solid brake pipes i bent slightly removing the old ABS pump and i had to carefully encourage the screw thread back in - thanks to my neighbour - needed the extra hands to avoid stripping the thread.

Pressure bleed system. You are supposed to get VCDS to cycle the ABS pump to bleed it. For some reason it would not on mine so old school - down a gravel track at about 30 and stamp on the pedal till stopped with ABS clattering away., Repeat a few times for good measure. pressure bled again (no bubbles this time so pressure bleeder had already done its stuff). In the end i put about 2.5 litres through the system to replace all the old fluid at the same time. The Sealey pressure bleeder makes it so easy to bleed the brakes, and pressure bleeding is the way VW recommend.

Interestingly Bently manual recommends bleeding the opposite way i was taught - starting closest in and working farther away was the method i followed per the manual.

Brakes are fine, ABS system now working fine.

I took my time. Had a delay with one of the unions on the ABS pump not lining up properly, and having to recreate a nut on the clutch bleed nipple because of rust - 10 mins with a fine file sorted that. Triple checked everything - it is after all the brakes. About 4 hours from start to clean tools and all put away.