Thread: Rangie Classic Brake Warning Light / ABS ECU ?

Vlad I think I noticed a post that you got it from Murray. Does he have any ECUs? he will probably let you try one if he does he's that kind of guy. I'll send you a PM.

Is it easy to replace / test the ECU's. What's involved in swapping them over ?

Mr Vlad the impaler,
I am not in the upper category of Landrovers, but this might help,

Tthe red brake warning light coming on after you apply the brakes, does it happen when you hit them hard, or going downhill, if so, check the reservoir, probably low fluid, caused from a leak or from worn brake pads (not enough to squeak.)

Mine is a disco and the abs warning light been on since I hit the brakes hard to avoid hitting a large nocturnal creature( wasn't going fast, was in town at the time), heard a clunk noise at the same time( and no I didn't run it over).
The brakes are fine ( no abs though) others have indicated in other forums it is a costly repair if the sensors need replacing so have left their abs in non operational mode.
My question, can the system simply be reset with the right tool? As you did with yours.

john

A common problem on ABS equipped P38As (the late Classics use the same type of ABS) is gradual failure of the brake pressure accumulator. Failure of the accumulator is usually accompanied by flashing of the brake light, the traction control light, and the ABS light. On P38As the accumulator is the large black round steel thing on the brake pump.

When you start up in the morning (after the car has been sitting). release the handbrake immediately and time how long it takes for the brake light to go out. A failing accumulator will be indicated by the brake light tkin g up to 45 seconds to go out. Until the brake pressure is up, you'll have very poor brakes. On my P38A, the car wouldn't stop even with my foot down hard.

Can you hear the brake pump run every time you put your foot on the brake?

On classics, the accumulator is remotely mounted. Changing merely requires unscrewing it and fitting another. Do not buy from LR. Their price is likely to be exorbitant.

Ron

a blown brake light globe will cause lights on the dash to light up....




the abs sensors need to be very close to the teeth on the hub but not touching.....the thickness of a bit of cardboard from say a cornflakes box stuck to the sensor before it was inserted was the right clearance required.

another problem is the sensor wiring can break, so you need to go around and check the sensor wiring with your multimeters. hook up the meters then flex the wiring to see if there are any breaks in it.


but before you do any of that....have you checked your brake pads for wear?
they have a sensor wire in them which should warn you when they are low.

check all the pads first.....this sounds like all your brake light coming on with the brakes might be.

let us know how you go.

Yep.... check the pads. You've almost certainly hit the wear indicator.

Mark.

Originally posted by camel_landy
Yep.... check the pads. You've almost certainly hit the wear indicator.

Mark.

Hadn't thought about that. The P38A doesn't have them

Ron

Guys I think Vlad has had it to Warren and the boys at M. R (Mini & Rover) Automotive. Not sure if they had a propper look at it or just checked the error codes. These blokes are pretty good normally, lotts of people buy new trucks and take them their rather then the dealer for service even when in warrenty. They normally do whats right, been there for 30 years same owner (Warren) he is a rover man through and through drives a Defender TD5 130 dual cab that he has converted to Auto, which is now for sale because he just got a new 130 a couple of weeks ago. He races Minis, Rover SD1 etc, good bloke. If they make a mistake, and they do like everyone does from time to time, they always look after it no poblem. I've had mates stuck in Broome with problems and Dwane ( the parts guy) has had the bitts there in 2 days saying I reckon this is what you need bring back what you don't use and fix us up when you get back. Wouldn't deal with anyone else.