Technical Fiat Marea Weekend Brake Problems!!

[Curt Davis]

Hi, I have just purchased a 1999 (v) Registered Fiat Marea Estate which I am very pleased with.
However, when I start it the hand brake light and abs light do not go off.
The brakes seem to be working ok but am a little worried as obviously it is to do with the brakes!
Also, sometimes the lights do go out but come back on again after a few minutes.
Any ideas??
Thanks for your time.

 

[johnson550]

have you checked the brake fluid level

 

[werdna]

I also have a 2.0l 20v weekend and have had both warning lights on since I have had the car. I mentioned it to my mechanic and he said its probably a bad contact ! on the fitting. I have had occasion to use the ABS and it worked, so personally I am not bothered.

 

[jug]

those lights are showing seperate faults.

the brake warnig means the brake fluid could be low, or the sensor on the reservoir is faulty, or there is a fault in the pad wear indicator circuit (on one front pad) or there is a fualt in the handbrake switch or its circuit.

the abs warning light means the abs controller is detecting a fault. there are many possible faults but most likely are a wheel sensor fault or a wheel sensor circuit fault or an abs controller fault. a diagnosis should give you the fault code(s) you need to determine what the fault is, although a small amount of investigation can usually avoid the need for this.

 

[Notorious131]

Marea's also have EBD, Electronic Brake Distribution fitted, which I believe is a device that increases and distributes brake force evenly across all 4 wheels in the event of extreme brake pedal pressure being applied.
I think it helps increase the brake pressure or something, this may be what the lights are indicating as a fault? Not 100% on this but I do know EBD is fitted to the 20v Marea's.

 

[bulldog5046]

Marea's also have EBD, Electronic Brake Distribution fitted, which I believe is a device that increases and distributes brake force evenly across all 4 wheels in the event of extreme brake pedal pressure being applied.
I think it helps increase the brake pressure or something, this may be what the lights are indicating as a fault? Not 100% on this but I do know EBD is fitted to the 20v Marea's.

well i didnt know that!

 

[Notorious131]

Don't get too happy Bulldog, any minute now someone will come along and say it's all crap...lol...
Will check owners manual and make sure now.

p.s. How the turbo running, when you gonna do mine?

 

[jug]

apparently mareas do have EBD on the rear as part of the ABS system. i'm not sure if it uses a yaw sensor and a steering position sensor like other EBD systems. if it does, i have never seen either of these parts on a marea myself.

 

[Notorious131]

Have no idea how it works myself Jug, just remember it from the dealership that sold me my first Marea back in '97, apparently the Marea was quite advanced for its day.

 

[tkramaric]

I have the same exact problem.
From time to time I clean up sensor fitting case (rotor). I figured it out after a few changed ABS sensors. Problem is due the heavy rain and mud it gets dity and I cant find a way to isolate the rotor&sensor. I hope that this helps. Marea 1998, no AC, TD100.

 

[Edvinas]

I have the same exact problem.
From time to time I clean up sensor fitting case (rotor). I figured it out after a few changed ABS sensors. Problem is due the heavy rain and mud it gets dity and I cant find a way to isolate the rotor&sensor. I hope that this helps. Marea 1998, no AC, TD100.

hi, i have same problem... can u tell how clean ABS sensors 'step by step'? thanks!

 

[bpetersb]

Hi,

I have the same problem but luckily only intermittently and also luckily it behaved itself last week for the MOT.

According to the official FIAT manual which I have on disc there are two systems which use the ABS pump, ecu and sensors etc. The first is the ABS itself and if there is a fault there the ABS light will come on. The second is the electronic brake distribution although to make matters more interesting FIAT call it the EBA (electronic brake apportioning) in the manual.
According to the manual the EBA uses the ABS system, valves and pump to achieve the brake balance under heavy braking. If the EBA system develops a fault then both the brake warning light (which is also the handbrake and fluid level warning light) AND the ABS light will come on together.

First port of call will be a diagnostic on the ABS system, mine showed a faulty sensor on the left front wheel, I replaced the sensor and everything was fine for about two weeks then the intermittent fault popped up again. That was last Autumn and I have just been living with it since. I am assuming that I have a dry joint or bad connection somewhere on the ABS circuit to the front left and I may have another go at it now the weather is getting better.

Good luck with yours

 

[BIG ZOOK]

Hi , my fiat has just failed the mot today,due to the abs and handbrake warning lights being illuminated.The car will start ok and then both warning lights tend to come on after about 10 mins after going off and will stay on. An early abs check showed low voltage but could not give a precise reading at any part of the system.However I have since read that both the ABS light and the handbrake warning light could show a possible fault in the rear Electronic Brake Distribution system :bang:.Abs brakes still work ok and braking is all done in a straight line ,without undue movement .Could someone please shed some light on the matter as what I need to look at or replace ??.