Hi,

2000 A6 Avant 140K miles, intermittently ABS & blinking brake light go on with the three beeps. Sometimes turns off after a minute and stays off for hours. Other times stays on for 30 minutes or more.

Have read the prior posts saying the module is probably beginning to fail and have checked out modulemasters rebuild service. Do not own a VAG to pull the codes (just a OBD II reader). So here's my question:

The owners manual says that if only the ABS light comes on you don't have ABS, but braking will be normal; doesn't get too excited about it. But then it says:

If both warning lights come on at the same time, the rear wheels could lock up first under hard braking. Rear wheel brake lock-up can cause loss of vehicle control and an accident. Drive slowly and avoid sudden, hard brake application.

All of the forum posts I've seen made it sound like the worst case is you don't have the benefit of ABS, but the owners manual quote above sounds a lot worse than that!

Lots of stuff going wrong this year (including no A/C due to leaking evaporator coil that I haven't fixed) so trying to keep maintenance to a minimum while I decide how much longer to keep the car.

1) Is this more urgent than just not having the benefit of ABS?

2) Am I safer leaving the ABS module in (most of the time it works), or pulling it out entirely until I sell the car or decide to get it fixed?

Thanks!

 

probably your ABS module going out. Step one should be to get a scan and see what the codes are. Your OBDII reader should be able to pull the codes. Either look them up or post them here and someone will surely tell you what they mean. Then you can proceed to the next step.

Having the ABS module rebuilt is relatively painless, not entirely cheap but better than replacing it with a new one. Plus you can still drive while the module is out.

 

I sent mine to Modulemaster.com. The repaired it and sent it back in 4 days. It cost about $160 when I had it done. They guaranteed it for 5 years/unlimited miles. The dealer wanted $850 with a 12month/12K mile warranty.

 

I won't hesitate to send it to Modulemaster for $160 ... it's considered a cheapo for Audi repair.

ABS Wizard to find problems
http://www.modulemaster.com/en/wizard/index.php

The site even comes with removal procedure. PLUS it now repair Instrumental Clusters, MAF sensors also. Prepay online PayPal turn around time 2-3 days.
Mine is Vehicle: 2002 Audi A6
ABS Module: Bosch 5.3 or 5.7
http://www.modulemaster.com/en/Audi/A6_info.php

 

Thanks. I wound up sending it to Cheap ABS (www.cheap-abs.com) and am very happy with their service. It was $110 including shipping. I sent it priority mail on a Monday afternoon and received it back that Saturday.

Now I just need to get the windshield washer reservoir to stop leaking where the pump enters it Seems crazy there is a grommet on the hole for the rear window washer pump but not for the front one (which is the one that now leaks).

Will try applying more silicon today...