Technical ABS / EBD errors sorted

[wad2502]

Since I got my 08 Doblo 1.9 multi-jet 120 Dynamic I have been getting intermittent errors coming up on the display.. ABS Failure / EBD Failure.

When I looked into the errors with FIATSCAN (wonderful product) there were no errors on the ABS side of things, although it would say the ABS light was on or off as it came on when it felt like it.

These have been coming on more and more frequently.. I have noticed that they come on more with increased electrical load.. ie hardly ever during the day with the fan turned off and all the time at night with the lights on fan on and particularly when the indicators were on.

But only when the engine was running!

IT got so bad that on occasion all the relays started clicking in and out the speed display and fuel gauge dropped to 0 and back up like yo-yo's full beam was like a disco light!.

So this week I have replaced the Alternator.. at 116k miles, even though it was providing 14.9 volts when needed.

It was making so much noise nothing else in the car could communicate.. (Canbus errors)

Now all good (well nearly)

I have only seen the ABS error once and that could be due to the O/S/F ABS sensor being a push fit only as some numskull (not me this time) has snapped the bolt off in the calliper and I have not had time yet to drill it out, tap and put a new bolt in to hold the ABS sensor tight in place.

However replacing the Alternator has not sorted out my consumption issues unfortunately. (different post.)

I have posted this in case anyone else gets ASB /EBD errors.

It was nothing to do with the Brakes.. only a noisy alternator.

 

[s130]

Bloody good post.

Any noise in any communication system and associated electrical wiring is bad news. Simple, single or semi irratic noise should be easily handled by and competant protocol. TCPIP in computer communication is designed to do just that. No sure about CAN Bus.

However an alternator creating continual electrical noise, despite apparently charging OK, is an obvious problem and to be honest not soemthing I've thought about as I've had no issues.

 

[fronteratech]

Very usefull post, i have heard of canbus errors for battery on the forum

Usefull info on alternator

 

[wad2502]

Apologies and UPDATE

After having the alternator changed I did not get any error messages for several weeks then slowly they came back getting ever more frequent.

I apologise for not updating the posting at that point.


Removing the earth battery connector lead when I was not using the car for longer than over night seemed to reduce them but it was getting ever more difficult to drive particularly when driving in the rain at night with everything drawing power.

Platts in Stafford suggested it might be the earth lead. (which connects the battery to the car frame and to the gearbox).

I bit the bullet and bought one, although the old one looks like new and I can see no corrosion on it replacing it has solved all the problems (for now).

I will give you an update in two or three weeks to see if it has really finally cleared the constant faults and can-bus errors!

Here's hoping!

 

[cphawk]

hi try bigger battery ive got big bosch on mine never had a problem since batteries are rubbish what dealers put on not strong enough

 

[Yobbo]

Didn't someone else on here recently have a load of problems that got traced to a battery earth lead that had failed ? Perhaps its a general weak point with the car ?

 

[wad2502]

That was the first thing I tried. The old battery was cooked anyway. and would not hold a charge for more than a few days.

New one is as high a capacity as I can fit in the battery box.

Not sure if someone else has reported simalar problems on this site but it was Platts dealers in Stafford who sugested it, they certianly knew this is a problem area.

I can report after nearly 2000 miles with new earth lead still no nasty errors (other than the one telling me I've still forgotten to reset the service interval timer.. DOH! )