ABS Questions

[HowardSmall]

HI All,

I have a 1999 Defender Extreme which has the WABCO D ABS fitted. As I understand it, the ABS light, at least, should illuminate for several seconds on startup to show the led is functioning but mine does not and I cannot recall it ever doing so. Of course the ABS LED could be dead but it actually flashes for an extremely short time when the ignition is turned on.

I have cleaned the contacts on the led board, the WABCO and the engine ECU with contact cleaner but nothing changed.

I have checked the ABS with my Nanocom and no errors throw up but I cannot get the Nanocom to turn any of the ABS associated leds on or off.

Any insights or advice appreciated.

I should also add that the brake light does not come on when the handbrake is on. I have recently installed a new hand brake cable so know that the wiring is connected. I have pushed the micro switch button so the switch is definitely being operated but still no light.

Thanks, Howard

[karlz]

Your 1999 Defender has ABS?

[HowardSmall]

Yes, it is an Extreme.

[karlz]

Drive out to a greasy/dirt surface. Lock the brakes and report what happens.

[jbe]

That sounds a bit odd to me. On my 2005 Defender, on start, the ABS, TC and brake dash lights (three amigos) come on. As soon as the engine is started, only the ABS light stays on until you exceed a speed of 6 or 7 kph.
If you pull the ABS/TC fuse, all three dash lights should light up and stay on. That would be the easiest way to check that your ABS dash light actually works.
Usually, the ABS is fairly good at generating errors on any sort of malfunction which should show up in Nanocom.