Speedo dropped to 0 while driving! (ABS woes?)

[Jcb.]

Hi all

 

Firstly, it's been a long time since I've been on here - hello all!

 

I recently got a dog and as such, acquired a cheap and high mileage car suitable for wet, muddy hound ferrying in the form of a 2007 1.9TDi PD100 6Y Fabia Estate.

 

For the most part, it seems to be OK, if not a bit wallowy and rattly which I cannot begrudge due to it's 160k mile odometer reading. However, when driving along a stretch of clear dual carriageway today, I noticed the following:

 

1. While doing above ~60mph and accelerating, the ASR light flashes and the power you'd expect to feel isn't there (i.e. ASR is likely falsely detecting wheel slip and cutting power - this can be proven as when doing the same thing after disabling ASR via the dash button, the car pulls like normal).
2. If you continue to try and accelerate up to higher speeds with 90-100% throttle inputs, then eventually a warning beep is heard and the dash lights up with several errors (below) and the speedo just drops completely to 0. Rev counter, fuel gauge, temp gauge and tell tale lights all continue to function as normal.
   • Handbrake (!) light
   • ASR light
   • Engine management light
3. I then noticed that at slower speeds (i.e. around 10mph) and under gentle braking, such that you might do while moving in traffic, the ABS will sometimes kick in for no discernible reason.

 

I've plugged a very rudimentary OBD tool and got a P0600 code which seems to be a generic "ECU lost contact with an ancillary controller" error.

 

Having been out of touch with these cars for so long, are these symptoms commonly found in older/higher mileage cars? As up to around 60mph the car drives exactly as it should, is there something along the lines of an ABS controller issue here? Or perhaps simple ABS/wheel speed sensors? Would a higher tech scan toll be able to help diagnose this further?

 

Thank for the pointers.

[KenONeill]

8 minutes ago, Jcb. said:

perhaps simple ABS/wheel speed sensors?

I think so, and would recommend checking with VCDS or OBD11.

[Breezy_Pete]

Are you anywhere near Radley?

[Jcb.]

3 minutes ago, Breezy_Pete said:

Are you anywhere near Radley?

 

I live in Witney but am regularly in the Abingdon area.

[sepulchrave]

First check all four tyres are the same size, simple and easy to do.

[Breezy_Pete]

12 minutes ago, Jcb. said:

 

I live in Witney but am regularly in the Abingdon area.

I can VCDS it if useful. Try sep's idea first though.

[Jcb.]

18 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

First check all four tyres are the same size, simple and easy to do.

 

Don't know how I missed that when I bought it, but you're right! The rear (185/70/R14) has larger tyres than the front (185/60/R14)... Great shout regardless.

 

They are the same size on each side, but different front to back. Is this likely to throw it out?

 

Looks like the 185/60 is the right size which is annoying as the rear 2 are almost new.

 

15 minutes ago, Breezy_Pete said:

I can VCDS it if useful. Try sep's idea first though.

 

Thank you for this offer! I guess I need to get some new tyres ordered (probably need to do a full set as the fronts -correct size- only have 3mm left) and see how it goes first. I might come back to take you up on that offer if the issue persists though!

[Breezy_Pete]

14 minutes ago, Jcb. said:

if the issue persists though!

I doubt it will, but bear in mind the possibility. 

[sepulchrave]

Hey, with the weather the way it is, new boots all round will be a good investment and a cheap fix for the problem.

 

However you can ask the garage to give you the two nearly new tyres back and sell them on the bay for a bullseye.

[KenONeill]

2 hours ago, Jcb. said:

They are the same size on each side, but different front to back. Is this likely to throw it out?

Yes, because they're different diameters, and the newer pair being higher profile just makes that worse.

[Jcb.]

Hi all - just to update I had the wrong size tyres changed out and it has appeared to fix the issue!

 

Thanks for the input all.