[matthewa]

Hi all

On the way to work today I got the ABS light flicker on the dash - no big deal thought I, maybe a wheel sensor playing up... until I smelt burning (electrical insulation smell) and got smoke in the cabin, seemed to be from the console area, not the vents.

I stopped the car and checked the fuses under the bonnet - all ok, and no sign of smoke but I can tell the ABS pump is now not working by pumping the brake pedal - no buzzing noise from the pump. The ABS light is now on constantly, but there's been no more smoke.

So does this sound like the pump has burned out? Would that explain the smoke? (where is the pump?)
What else should I be looking for?

Cheers
Matt

 

[Paul Harrison]

Can not help with the problem, only location of parts.

My 93 CDE 2.0 LPT has the mark IV abs. Comprises brake/clutch fluid reservoir, below is master cylinder fastened to the servo and to the left (looking from the car front) is the rectangular valve block and black cylindrical pump fastened to a plate bolted to the bottom of the master cylinder. The abs ECU is located behind the battery. No accumulator with this system.

On this system the pump only runs for less than a second when the car first goes above about 20mph to prove the pump is ok to the ECU or if the abs operates. On other systems I think it runs to pressure up the accumulator. When bleeding the brakes it can be run manually by linking a wire with a switch in place of its relay - this could be done to see if the pump is ok.

 

[matthewa]

Update: having checked lunchtime and after a chat with my local Saab specialist, it seems it probably isn't the pump as the brake pedal doesn't go hard, even after pumping (engine running). So now I am confused, what could have caused the smoke? The ABS light is still permanently lit and it's booked in to be looked at Monday, but it would be nice to have a bit of an idea as to what the problem is, clues anyone?

Matt

 

[StephenA]

Matt

I'd be interested to hear what it is... because my ABS is the same (apart from the smoke), and its also a 1996 9000 CSE

Steve

 

[matthewa]

Typical, the ABS light went out after I started the engine and never once came on during the trip to the garage.

The car was put on the "tester box" so I now know it's an ABS Mk4 and the fault code was "Intermittent main relay circuit". The chap said he'd never seen that fault before - anyone else heard of this one? At least the ABS light came back on so hopefully it wont be too much of a PITA to find and fix

As an aside, the loan car was a CD V6 auto with electric everything, nice First time I've driven one and I was surprised at how much more engine noise there was in the cabin when it's under load compared to my 2.3FPT but the V6 burble is rather pleasant and it certainly wasn't too intrusive. Overall a nice motor car, but I still think I prefer my manual CSE.

Matt

 

[matthewa]

Final outcome...

Nothing to do with the ABS at all, the smoke was from wires which had chafed through and were directly under the instrument console. Only discovered after the fault became more persistent and kept blowing fuse 13. Now it's all fixed I'm one happy bunny again