ABS Light..erm..wtf?

[trevtubby]

Heya,

Just took the RX7 for a bimble today, and noticed that the ABS light decided it wanted to stay on all the time.

Any ideas why it`s decided to do this all of a sudden? What to check for etc etc?

Thanks

Trev

[ianelvar]

Hi Trev

I hope this helps. It\'s from some obscure russian website that no longer exists.. I\'ve not tried pulling codes for anything but the ECU, but the process should be the same for the ABS using the FBS and TBS pins. Hopefully that makes some sense, but let me know if you need a hand and I\'ll talk you through it. The only stumbling point may be that I don\'t have a list of error codes for anything but the ECU, but we\'ll cross that bridge when we come to it - the information must be out there somewhere! Maybe a friendly mazda garage might be able to suppy some information.

Cheers

Ian

FEN  trouble code output (engine control computer)
MEN  switch monitor output (engine control computer)
TEN  diagnostic-mode input (engine control computer)
+B  switched battery voltage
GND  ground
FAT  trouble code output (automatic transmission control computer)
FBS  trouble code output (anti-lock brakes (ABS) control computer)
FAC  trouble code output
FWS  trouble code output
FSC  trouble code output (cruise (speed) control computer)
TAT  diagnostic-mode input (automatic transmission control computer)
TBS  diagnostic-mode input (anti-lock brakes (ABS) control computer)
TAC  diagnostic-mode input
TWS  diagnostic-mode input
TSC  diagnostic-mode input (cruise (speed) control computer)
FAB  trouble code output (air-bag diagnostic monitor computer)
IG-  igniter coil output (for connection to external tachometer)
GND  ground
TFA  diagnostic-mode input
F/P  fuel pump relay coil (ground to activate fuel pump)

[ianelvar]

These two sites might help:

http://www.auto-diagnostic-codes.com/plugins/MazdaABS/MAZDA-ABS-10-626.html

Annoyingly the first one has good info on how to pull codes, but the link to the actual codes is broken.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mx6-uk/maint/maint.htm#malfcode

The second one has codes listed, albeit for an MX-6. Can\'t imagine a jap company not having commonality between models for diag stuff. ECU codes certainly seem to be consistent between models, and the connectors are the same.

Good luck.

[FD3SNuttah]

Trev,

sometimes mine does this, and its the ignition barrel not snapping back properly, does your interior fan work when the light is on?

what you need to do is give the key a little wiggle while its running and the light comes off.

sounds off the wall but hey could be a sensor. you had any work done lately?

[trevtubby]

erm, dunno mate havnt tried the fan, as soon as the light stayed on I thought fook that and didnt drive it much. Nah no work done lately mate, just happened out of the blue.

thanks for that Ian, i`ll try and get some error codes. Although, Ive got a power FC?...would that make a difference? Or are the error codes still the same?

[alexb]

It can also be caused by a solenoid in the ABS system sticking - although it\'s usually accompanied by a slightly worrying whirring sound... It happens occassionally with my FD. To fix it go under the bonnet on the passenger side and next to the ABS pipework there\'s a black plastic box about the size of a matchbox. A sharp tap on the top usually sorts it

Cheers,
Alex

[trevtubby]

I didnt notice any whirring noises mate, although I`ll give it a tap anyways haha thanks.

[trevtubby]

erm, ok...its fixed itself lol...yay!