This salvage yard has a ABS controller for $150 that I'm considering. A new one plus labor is $1500 at the stealership, a rebuilt unit is $250+ so I was thinking I could just buy this used one and replace it. The "catch" is it comes with hydraulic pump also which I don't need. I figure if the part numbers match up then it could just be a simple swap right? Or would I have to recode the controller to the cars ECU in order to clear the code? Anyways this options is cheaper than the others so should I go for it?

 

why the change whats the problems??

 

The infamous faulty ABS controller. I've been ignoring it for a year but I figured I should get it over with.

Hey Avant whats the part # for a bosch 5.3 from a 98.5 2.8? I got 8E0-998-375-D, well thats what the stealership said, is that right? And is a unit with a different part # compatible?

 

check the ground wire to the ABS ECUthat's also a known problem

 

check all the contacts to the ECU use dielectric spray to clean the contacts

 

I did mine by myself in about an hour. The only hard part is reaching some of the screws on the module. There's a great instructional video on the modulemaster site.
Link
The only thing I would add is that you really need to disconnect one of the sensors on the fluid reseviour to really get it out of the way.

I have a 2000 A4 and got a unit from a 2001 S4. No reprogramming. I just disconnected the battery before I disconnected the old one and installed the new one.

 

So once you installed it the code automatically cleared, no more ABS light, and there was no need for a VAG? Was it the same part number? It seems like there are a bunch of different part numbers depending on year, but its basically the same bosch 5.3 for all 97+ models.