Three Amigos - Resolving ABS Codes

4568 Views 5 Replies 3 Participants Last post by wmsimpson, Apr 19, 2014

wmsimpson

Discussion Starter · Apr 18, 2014

So, I have the Three Amigos, and before I started tearing apart the ABS pump I went out and bought myself a nice new Autel AL619 scan tool so I could read the codes and see what was wrong. I get three codes, none of which have anything to do with shuttle valves:

1: "PWM signal failure from engine ECU." I don't know what to make of this one. I'm searching the Rave but not finding any clues yet.

2: "Rear Left sensor output too low"

3: "Front Right Sensor signal erratic"

These last two seem straightforward enough. I was thinking it could be the connectors, and a video on the Atlantic British web site implied as much, but having taken the right front one apart and finding it in perfectly clean condition, I can't see how these can ever go bad. They're very well made and O-ring sealed against moisture. Do the sensor probes themselves go bad?

Rave says to replace ABS sensor and hub as a unit, but it looks like no one ever does that since the parts houses all seem to stock replacement sensors without hubs. I see two types; an OE type that wires into the existing connector and a long tail type that you're supposed to splice into the harness at the SLABS ECU. I guess the second type is intended to get the connections out of the weather, but it seems like a lot more work to install, and they're a lot more expensive.

Does anyone have an experience they'd like to share regarding the different types of sensors, long and short tail, or resolving the PWM error code? Thanks.

BTW, the Autel AL619 scan tool, once you have it updated and the Land Rover software installed, really works a treat for a very reasonable price. I needed a new scanner because my AutoXRay bit the dust, and this one seems to offer a lot more for a lot less. But that's a different post I guess.

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wmsimpson

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 18, 2014

Now that I have the ABS code scanner, I can clear he codes and see if they recur. Up until this week I had no means to do that, and was going to do as most people with the Three Amigos do; tear into the ABS pump, which would not have solved my problem in this case.

The other thing you have to realize is the TA's aren't just three lights, it tells you your ABS system has been disabled. I live in a densely populated area, and if my brakes aren't working properly, I'm putting myself and others at risk, so I am admittedly sensitive about something as basic and necessary as my brakes.

South Africa, huh? I've taken to referring to this truck as "The AntiChrist" after the Land Rover in the 1980 South African film "The Gods Must Be Crazy". Anyone remember it?

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wmsimpson

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 19, 2014

Joe Btfsplk said:
wmsimpson:
Blamo is right, you will still have brakes, you probably won't even notice the difference in normal day to day driving. However, as soon as you reset the fault codes, if they are accepted, you will have ABS, hill descent and traction control again. In my mind, that would be safer than trying to figure out what the problem actually is while still using the vehicle. Anyway, just trying to save you a buck or two.

All I remember from the movie is the series land rover hanging from a tree.......

Yes, I still have brakes, such as they are.

I did clear the codes and they haven't come back at least for now. Thanks for trying to help.

One thing I do note with this truck is that the brake pedal tends to sink pretty low on first application. Not to the floor or anything, but lower than I would like. A second quick application sees the pedal stop higher. I've mentioned this to a Rover mechanic and he said something about "Rover brakes" as if it were normal. Is it?

The pedal is firm and the truck stops okay. I don't note any fluid loss, there is no shimmy in the wheel or pulsation in the pedal. I was going to flush the system out and renew the fluid, if for no other reason that I have no idea when this was last done to see if this improves things, but is this behavior just normal "Rover brakes"?

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