F355 brake warning/abs light issues | FerrariChat
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F355 brake warning/abs light issues

Discussion in '348/355' started by RWP137, Aug 23, 2013.

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  1. RWP137

    RWP137 Formula 3

    Apr 29, 2013
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    Rick
    #1 RWP137, Aug 23, 2013
    I'm having a problem with the brake warning/abs lights randomly appearing at the same time. The shop thought it was the alternator, so we rebuilt that. The lights reappeared 2 hours after I left the shop. When I got home I put the car on a battery tender. The next day when I started the car...no dash lights. I drove it for 20 minutes and all of a sudden the lights are back on. Any ideas? Bad Battery??
     
  2. hummerboy24

    hummerboy24 Karting

    Sep 5, 2012
    68
    Winston-salem
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    Tony
    #2 hummerboy24, Aug 23, 2013
    Try checking the plug on top of the brake fluid, disconnect it and then but it back on check to see if it needs to be clean. Manual says to take this of to make sure that light is working. I would start there and make sure it does not need a good cleaning or is come off, also check to see if you brake fluid is low. Can't hurt. IMO
     
  3. RWP137

    RWP137 Formula 3

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    #3 RWP137, Aug 24, 2013
    I would have hoped the shop would have done that, but I'll definitely check into it. Thanks Tony! I still can't help but feel its an electrical issue as the lights don't appear until after Ive been driving a while.
     
  4. 355spider96

    355spider96 Karting

    Mar 28, 2007
    103
    #4 355spider96, Aug 24, 2013
    Im assuming the fluid is topped off? Are your brake master or clutch master leaking by any chance?
     
  5. RWP137

    RWP137 Formula 3

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    #5 RWP137, Aug 24, 2013
    Haven't seen any leaks. I'll check the fluid reservoir...
     
  6. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,721
    #6 Mitch Alsup, Aug 24, 2013
    I chased an ABS light for 4 years, spending plenty; looking for a problem more than 6 times.

    Then at the last major we installed the Gold Connector Kit and it has not shown back up in 1.5 years.
     
  7. RWP137

    RWP137 Formula 3

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    #7 RWP137, Aug 24, 2013
    I thought about the GCK. Not sure if I'm ready to tackle that yet. The car may even have it already...it's new to me. What's the easiest way to check for the GCK?
     
  8. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 4, 2003
    11,880
    Wayne, NJ
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    Clyde E. McMurdy
    #8 ClydeM, Aug 25, 2013
    My ABS started flashing every so often. It would pop on, warm or cold, stay on for maybe 2 min & then go off. It then started to get worse. I thought perhaps it was related to rough roads, but I couldn't nail it down.
    then the brake light started to come on, usually with the ABS.
    The other day, both were flashing wildly together.
    I've also noticed the brake lamp is on very dim sometimes.

    I've check the ABS Computer, it said RR. I cleaned the contacts. No better.
    It's been staying off for the last 2 months. I should knock on wood.
    I do have a spare sensor I'll swap out soon.
    But with the dim brake lamp & flashing like it does, I'm expecting it's a short somewhere and a rough road trips the condition.
     
  9. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jun 11, 2004
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    John Kreskovsky
    #9 johnk..., Aug 25, 2013
    Could be crap accumulated around a wheel speed sensor. Had a similar problem with my 3 series BMW. Diagnosis said bad sensor. Took the brake disk off and cleaned everything.
     
  10. RWP137

    RWP137 Formula 3

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    #10 RWP137, Aug 27, 2013
    I just checked the brake fluid reservoir and it appeared to be over filled. Is an over-fill situation enough to trigger the lights? I removed some fluid and brought the level down below the max line. Will update after a drive...
     
  11. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
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    Jun 14, 2011
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    Tim Dee
    #11 SoCal1, Aug 27, 2013
    No there is no over fill sensor

    99.9 % of the time if the ABS does not work and all fuses and relays check out OK it's the ABS ECU. The progressively getting worse you describe is textbook. For sh**s and giggles try cleaning the ECU connections or pull off the ECU, you will see 2 connections that go to the pump. Sometimes these get corroded and cause issues. Most likely its the ECU your on the right track here.

    Wait I just had a thought, there was a recall (355) on the ABS pumps itself, perhaps this may be it. See if you car has had the fix.

    :)
     
  12. RWP137

    RWP137 Formula 3

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    #12 RWP137, Aug 27, 2013
    Checked the large brake ECU connector. I didn't disconnect it because it has two black zip ties securing the rubber cover. I could wiggle it a bit. Should it be tight on there? Or is a little wiggle ok? To be clear it appeared fully plugged in, but if the connections are sensitive the problem may be this connection. It still wouldn't explain how I could start the car and have no lights, drive a bit and then they both come on.
     
  13. RWP137

    RWP137 Formula 3

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    #13 RWP137, Sep 4, 2013
    Finally drove the car...so far no lights! If I only knew what exactly I fixed...
     
  14. thibaut

    thibaut Formula Junior

    Feb 28, 2004
    530
    London, UK
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    Thibaut A.
    #14 thibaut, Apr 24, 2023
    How do you unplug the large connector on top of the abs module. Passenger side on my challenge.
    I have an abs light and code is 1.1 which trades to a wiring or ecu problem. I have cleaned all contacts are could but couldn’t get the large connector on top of abs ecu to move.
     
  15. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    Feb 20, 2015
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    Ian Riddell
    #15 Qavion, Apr 24, 2023
    Below the harness side of the connector is a "T" shaped piece of plastic. Pull this outboard.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    The connector then easily lifts up.

    You have to pull it out quite far (as shown on the diagram). Getting it back requires some jiggling of the backshell to get it in the right position.
     
    308 GTB likes this.
  16. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    #16 Qavion, Apr 24, 2023
    My connector backshell shows signs of cracking. Maybe some backyard mechanic/PO tried to force the connector off without pulling the "T" :(

    RHD car?
     

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