Bosch 5.3 ABS ECU Rebuild / Recon
 

Have any members had their ABS unit rebuilt, specifically the electronic half? Who did you use?

ABS Lights are on and there's no VCDS communication, the last retrieved fault code was
01203 - Electrical Connection between ABS and Instrument Cluster
03-10 - No Signal – Intermittent

Searching tells me this is a generic Bosch part used in various VAG cars including the A4 B5 and A8 D2 and this type of failure is well know that there is even a rebuild kit from the Dealer.

However, I've found this company and the price seems ok.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A4-AB...-/400442033788

Used ABS units are slightly more expensive and may have the same problem.

Other than above there is also the DIY route which seems a bit crude by cutting into the case.

http://www.cardiagnostics.be/-now/ABS%20VW%20Passat.htm

I had an issue about a year ago, took my unit off and sent it to BBA reman - another such company in the SE who after a week or so told me that the unit was un-repairable and still charged me £40 for testing and time, so just be prepared for that possible reply when you do put yours in. Thats why I went with a second hand unit in the end but they must be a matched pair (there are many codes/pairs but dont get into thinking you can swap the ecu with another so that you dont have to take the abs unit off unless its the same code exactly) +++

If you do get it fixed I also recommend getting hold of some heat shield material and trying to mask off the ABS unit from the exhaust/engine area with it as much as possible. It is thought that the heat from the engine and exhaust is what eventually breaks down the solder joints etc in the ecu over time so you may want to better protect it once fixed (I have)

Thanks Neil for that excellent reply +++

Since both halves should match did you replace the whole unit including hydraulic block?

Potentially replacing with a used unit seems top option for now. Did you do this yourself? I'll check Elsa to see what's involved and if I should do the work myself.

Thanks again.

yes I did after discovering you cant do it the other way! well you can but the ecu part has to be exactly the same coming off as the one youve already got.

second hand units seem to go from £160-£250 from what I've seen. David sometimes has them at A8 Parts. Failing that I think we might have at least 1 second hand unit laying around this end as a spare if you cant find one elsewhere.

Cheers Neil. I'll take a look at the actual unit to read the Bosch and Audi part number. Hopefully there's a matching second hand unit out there +++

the replacement unit doesn't have to have matching numbers to yours but then you have to replace the whole unit, whereas if it is matching then you could in theory separate off the ECU and just change that bit, so dont panic too much if whats out there for sale doesn't match, just change the whole unit and bleed the brakes

I had a similar carry on with BBA reman. Never again.


I would recommend http://www.actronics.eu/en

My friend used them and said they were very helpful+++

Thanks for the recommendation +++

If buying a used replacement, it's worth noting the hydraulic side has a limited time it can be sitting removed from a car, with no hydraulic fluid in it. After a month or so isolated from the hydraulic circuit, a very fine layer of corrosion forms in the solenoid valve bores, causing them to stick. In bad weather, they could deteriorate even faster.

I would advise you buy used from a seller who either still has the unit fitted to a car, and remove it yourself. Or a trusted seller who can assure you it has just been removed. This does not apply to cars that have been sitting around for a year, with the calipers missing, and all the fluid drained.

The ones I have bought in the past have come with fluid still inside,pipes still attached just cut off, ends flattened and folded over. So I guess it depends on breaker, if they know what they are doing they will remove it such way so that it can be stored for long time.