Technical Abs control unit

[toddywillis]

Hi all. I’m a newbie to this forum and thanks for being here firstly and I’m guessing like most I’m trying to find some assistance on how to keep my Doblo on the road regarding parts, advice and pricing for my 2014 Doblo.

Just got the biggest shock today as my Fiat dealer garage here in Australia informed me that the reason and solution for my abs brake light on was because I need a new abs control unit. They it has to be replaced and the part needed to come out of Italy. But wait for it !!! The cost was around $8.5k for the part. OMFG are they for real or do they think I’m just an idiot??

Can anyone shed some light here please

 

[bugsymike]

Hi all. I’m a newbie to this forum and thanks for being here firstly and I’m guessing like most I’m trying to find some assistance on how to keep my Doblo on the road regarding parts, advice and pricing for my 2014 Doblo.

Just got the biggest shock today as my Fiat dealer garage here in Australia informed me that the reason and solution for my abs brake light on was because I need a new abs control unit. They it has to be replaced and the part needed to come out of Italy. But wait for it !!! The cost was around $8.5k for the part. OMFG are they for real or do they think I’m just an idiot??

Can anyone shed some light here please

Yes, they do think you are an idiot!
They are not doing a lot for boosting their sales in Australia are they?
My advice would be to either get a good independent garage to read the codes from the computer (one with Snap On Zeus or similar) or if possible get a full version of MES MultiEcuScan diagnostic software and the correct leads for your laptop etc. Then someone on Fiat Forum will be able to advise you.
Often with diagnostic software it will tell you which wheel/sensor etc. is causing the fault.
In my experience unless the ABS computer has been subject to a lot of water or shorted electrically then that part is unlikely to be a problem.
The most common fault with ABS is usually one of the wheel sensors (often around £40 here), next can be a magnetic pick up in the wheel bearing (£100? + labour to fit) that has been damaged and cannot give the correct signal to the ABS computer, next a possible break in the wiring to the ABS. Occasionally the hydraulic pistons inside the ABS unit can play up if contaminated brake fluid or been standing for a long time, then finally the ABS computer it's self, although a good electronics specialist can repair them.
Does your ABS unit look anything like these? It is situated roughly between the battery and headlight.
The first one is on a 2010 1.6 Fiat Doblo and the second one is on a 2014 Vauxhall Combo 1.3 Multijet which is a "badge engineered " Fiat Doblo although the Fiat software cannot read it just to be awkward?