I did a search, don't worry.

Three times now, my "ABS" (yellow) and "BRAKE" (red) warning indicator lights go on, and I really don't know what to make of it. The car beeps three times, and the "BRAKE" light pulses 4-5 times, while the "ABS" light stays lit. The first two times, the lights went right back out and I figured it was an intermittant problem and wasn't a real big deal, but this time the lights didn't go out. I pulled up to the nearest parking lot and turned off the car, restarted, and the lights were gone.

From my search, I have yeilded that it could be either the rear pads are worn, or the brake fluid is low, or possibly that the ABS Module is having trouble communicating with the main ECU.

I checked the brake fluid, just below the MAX line, but well above MIN, I can't check the brake pads because my wheel bearing makes enough grinding as it is, and the probably won't be vag-commed until I take it in for the said wheel bearing service.

Basically what I'm asking is if my car is safe to drive (I know how to drive without ABS), and what other possible problems could cause this? The owners manual wasn't much help.

Until I figure out what it is, I am limited to driving my brothers waaaaaayyyy underpowered FWD 5-cyl Volvo 850 n/a, automatic tranny to school tomorrow and cruising around on my new bike. On a side note, after driving for about 9 months exclusively stickshift other than moving cars around to park my own car, it was really wierd driving an automatic. Not to mention the severe lack of feedback from the steering wheel on FWD cars. I had to glue my left leg to the side of the car to keep from using it to braking, thinking it's the clutch, and kept pulling up to stoplights and thinking I was going to stall out if I don't do anything. I also pushed it into neutral without realizing it and sat there reving the engine when it turned green.

 

ABS Cntroller I didnt read your post but usally abs light coupled by blinking breake light abs controller is shot

 

You could drive the car problem is it can determine actual wheel speed (controler) so it would apply wrong pressure to wheels which leads to abs style braking (soft pedal that pushes back at you while pulsating) If you have access to a vag-com see if you can access the abs controler if not there you go its shot. Also check the wheel speed sensors to see if the are not broken. But 95% of the time I have found this to be the controller.

 

yep, mine are both on and it is the abs control module....they are expensive as F*CK! Anyone know where to get a good price on one?

 

i had that and my ABS ring was cracked and fried

 

WARNING LAMP FOR BRAKE SYSTEM
FAULT: Warning lamp for the brake system comes on after cold start.
CAUSE: In the ABS control unit is a poor recognition of low voltage and the acoustic and optical warning is
activated by unsatisfactory indication suppression in the instrument cluster.
SOLUTION: Fit the ABS unit with a low voltage relay.

http://www.bba-reman.com/content.asp..._and_tips_audi

 

what if your actual module went bad?

 

with the VAG.COM tool it can be checked

it would be nice if they give information of the car (age/engine/model) just the basics you know

 

Oh yeah, sorry guys. I forgot to add its a 2001.5 A4 1.8T Quattro, 5-spd.

I talked to my mechanic today, he said it is most likely the either the wheel speed sensor or the ABS control module, just as you guys said. He also recommended that the only place I drive it is to a shop to get it fixed. I'm really not looking forward to a new module, so I'm hoping its just the sensor.

I also tried unpluging the ABS control module and just driving with ABS, but then the engine wouldn't fire. [:@]

For now, its just going to sit in the garage and I'll have to try and get my brother to let me drive his Volvo.

 

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