2008, Got an ABS/DSTC warning light. How do I go about troubleshooting this?
Thanks, Carl in NJ.

 

Scan the car with a compatible scanner that can talk to all the controls units not just the emissions related systems. Then from those codes develop a rational diagnostic process.

 

Hi,
I connected an obd2 scanner but there were no error codes!
Thanks,
Carl

 

You need a scanner that will talk to all 15 or 20 modules in the car - not just the engine and trans codes related to emissions. (an obd scanner for emission only) .

 

See if you can find a friendly indy shop or a dealer that will scan/clear codes for free (I've had this done a few times). You can also see if Autozone rents (typically free in CT/NY) a full featured scanner. You likely have a true fault so I'd expect the code to reset after being cleared. Typical ABS fault codes will tell you things about the wheel speed sensors, transmission speed sensors, ABS pump, steering angle sensor, ability to communicate to other modules, whether the etc. Once you have a code, you can google for info. Also check out sites like Midwest ABS and Xemodex who rebuild the ABS controllers as they have good info on how to interpret fault codes.

Anything else going on - ie jumpy speedo etc?

 

I have a Autophix ES610 OBD2 / Volvo scanner. When the ABS warnng light came on there was no check engine light. I connected the
scanner, it went through all the modules and came up with no codes!

Best,
Carl in NJ

 

Have you had any recent work done around the wheels? I'd check connections and inspect the wheel speed sensors. Any grease etc on the back side of the wheels where the sensors are? Thinking you may have an intermittant fault that isn't there long enough to be trapped by the computer.

 

The check engine only comes on if the car thinks you are polluting - ABS problems will not turn it on. Your scan tool claims to talk to ABS control units - but the light on means there is a code stored, unless you have a strange uncommon problem with your instrument cluster. Have you verified the ABS system still works? (by trying to skid on a slippery surface)

 

Had the front suspension replaced (coil over shocks).
Would they have gotten into the area you mentioned?
The wheel sensors, where exactly are they, behind the rotors?
Do you happen to have a picture or an exploded view drawing?

Best,
Carl

 

Front shock is mounted in the blue hole - wheel sensor in the red hole.
Wheel sensor is green in the second picture, as is the sway bar link. One bolt holds the sensor in, you remove the sensor and move it out of the way to do spring/strut work on the earlier cars - not sure if it's required on the 08+ cars.

 

Thanks so much for the pictures. I'll see what I can find out.
Best,
Carl