ABS - 1995 2.0 16V

[Gareth_16V 0]

Hi All,

 

Just purchased a VAG-COM lead off a well known auction site after noticing that my ABS wasn't working, and when I plug it in I get the following error code :-

 

 

Error code 00532 - Supply Voltage B+.

 

My car is a late 16V, with the Teves 04 ABS unit, the ABS distributor is bolted to the bulkhead on the passenger side of the car. After doing a search on here, I found the control unit behind the passenger kick panel, and have inspected the wiring to it which seems OK. There are two relays and two inline fuses below the glovebox, and when the ignition is turned to ON both the relays click. However they don't stay energised for very long, and so there's no continuous voltage at the ABS distributor.

 

Has anyone else had this fault code, and how should I go about solving it?

 

Could this be caused by a broken ABS warning light? (See my other post....)

 

Thanks

 

Gareth

[Gareth_16V 0]

Hi guys,

 

I still really need someone's help with this as the fact that I can't find out what's wrong is driving me mad!! :censored:

 

I'm still getting the 00532 code from above when I switch the ignition off and back on again. I've checked that both the ABS relays behind the glovebox are good by wiring them up through a headlight bulb, as per a previous thread on this forum. I've traced the wiring from the ABS control unit to the ABS pump (both pump and valve block connectors) with a multimeter and it all seems good. As far as I can see the ABS control unit is receiving +12V with the ignition on.

 

I've checked the brake fluid level switch, the brake pedal travel switch, and the resistance on the wheel speed sensors, and it all seems good.

 

When I turn the ignition on is the ABS pump supposed to run to build up pressure? The reason I ask is that mine does not. I have read the bentley manual but it only covers VRs and G60s (is this Teves 03?), and I'm not sure if the Passat 9A manual is relevant either.

 

Only one relay of the two behind the glovebox is being energised when the ignition is switched on, and it goes on and turns off very quickly, like within 1 second. If I bridge one, (cant remember if its the 79 or the 179) the ABS pump runs, I can hear it whirring away. I haven't tried the other as it seemed to supply power to the valve block unit and I didn't want to damage it.

 

Also, The wiring to the ABS warning light has all 8 wires in the connector plug, but the light itself only uses 5 wires. Have I got the correct warning light installed?

 

Short of changing the ABS pump/valve block assy and hoping the problem is cured, does anyone have any better ideas for anything I can check for common faults? Is there a (where is the) low pressure switch? Should I replace both the relays in case I have a bad one?

 

Any help would be extremely gratefully appreciated.

 

Gareth

[Supercharged 2]

Hello mate - hopefully Yan may have some info from the factory manuals about ABS fault finding??

 

Couple of things

 

- is the battery a good one? and charging circuits ok?

 

- Ignition switch changed for the newer (black 6N) part

 

- Have you checked the ECU for water damage? Maybe try known good one

 

- Has the car ever leaked water or blown a matrix - this could take out a relay..

 

- Is there an aftermarket alarm fitted? (I have seen alarm fitters use the chunky ABS wiring on more than one occasion!)

 

If you have been thru the above then it's probably worth a trip to an ABS specialist to check out the ribbon cable on the valve block (a repairable fault)

[Gareth_16V 0]

Many thanks for the quick response;-

 

1) The battery seems pretty decent, and the alternator is definitely charging it. The engine always spins over and catches quickly from cold, so I don't think the battery is bad. Never say never though, eh?

 

2) I have had the ECU off (but not apart) and the connector seemed very clean indeed. I can't see any rust or corrosion on the ECU or on the kick panel near it. The earths look pristine too.

 

3) I haven't ever had to top up the water, and looking through what history I have for the car I can't see anything related to the matrix. The heater blows clear (no steam when first switched on) so I think it's fine.

 

4) The alarm fitted is a standard VAG/Scorpion 815 unit, with the original 2-button fob. There is an aftermarket radio fitted, but I haven't interrogated the wiring between ignition switch and radio.

 

The bit that worries me is the fact that only one relay comes on, and it goes off very quickly indeed. Other threads on this forum mention a ribbon cable under the ABS pump cover, does anyone have a wiring diagram or pin-out for this?

[Supercharged 2]

Try an ECU anyway - even if you have to buy one second hand and it's not the fault it's useful to have a spare as they are in such a bad place for water damage...

 

You will need the right car though - Teves 04 is traction control I think.

[Gareth_16V 0]

Further to the below, a strange thing happened when I took the car on a long-ish trip this weekend. I set off from my house in Essex, and drove to a friends in Manchester. About half way there, the ABS warning light went out! :shock: Thinking the bulb had given up I stopped and turned the ignition off, and then back on again. Sure enough, the ABS light came on, flickered, and then went out.

 

It then stayed off until I got to my mate's. When I came to leave his a few hours later the light came on and stayed on! :censored:

 

On the way back, the same happened. Approx halfway home the light went out and stayed out. A quick scan with VAG-COM showed no faults whatsoever. This morning when I checked it we're back to the 00532 fault code.

 

Does anyone know which component is causing this, I'm guessing its temperature dependent and jumping to conclusions that it's likely the ribbon cable in the ABS pump? :(

 

Anyone got any better ideas?

 

Gareth.

[RDH 0]

I would definately try charging the battery, once fully charged fit it to the car and see if the ABS light goes out. I was getting the "supply voltage" error message on mine, tried an ecu and replaced the relays, problem went away when I bought a new battery.

 

If I leave mine stood for a week or so now the ABS light will stay on when I first start the car, I now leave it attached to a charger if I know I am not using it for a while. Think the ABS system must have a big draw on power when it first starts, so battery/charging system needs to be in really good condition.

 

HTH

 

Rich

[StuartFZR400 0]

Yes, Passat 9a (pink) is ideal for the 16v 2.0.

You really do need the codes broken down - is it not in the wiki? Tempest used to know some of the codes, but that was mostly the older G60s and relying on the Bently Manual. Scanning your test, did you mention you tried for continuity across the actual ABS sensors? Fronts located behind the discs. Rears located under the rear seat.