UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hello,

This is my first post to your forum.
I own a polo Gti 1.6 16v (2001) and i face some problems.
I have changed the drivers window(sic), i had problems with the clutch, and now i am facing a problem with the ABS.
When i turm on the car everything is ok. After 40-50 km the ABS indicator goes on and the ABS is not working.
The local dealer (Greece)said that the problem is the ABS main control and i must change it. The car was worthing 16000 euro and the ABS main control is costing 2000 euro!!
They gave me the codes:
6XO 907379C ABS main control and 6XO 614217 ABS pump.

I was wondering, anyone else with the same problems? What possibly could cause that (The car has been lowered by 35mm, would that be a problem?)?
Where can i find used parts? Do you believe i will manage to find anything?

Many thanks for your time.

Hi Adamos, and welcome to the forum.

It seems you have had your unfortunate share of problems with the car...

The window regulators and the clutch/pedal box are both common problems, but a failing ABS pump is not.

The diagnosis of your dealer does seem to be correct however.

If the ABS light stays on or comes on right after you start the car, the problem is electronic, which means most likely a faulty sender or some interruption in the cables.

However, if the light comes on after you've gained some speed, the fault is mechanical. Or, in other words, it's the pump.

I've just had this issue with the girlfriends' Mk3 Golf, which is technically similar to the Mk4 and 5 Polo. We ended up replacing both the pump and the ABS control unit (computer) which are both screwed together as one unit.

We too were confronted with a bill of well over 2000€, but the dealer advised us to look for a used ABS pump + computer/control unit at a scrapyard or a used parts dealer. That's easier said than done, though.

Basically, I just sat down one day and called over 30 partsdealers and scrappies, specifically asking them for the parts I needed. I think the thirtyfifth place I called had the part in stock, and I drove about an hour to get there - immediatly, of course. In the end all the trouble was worth it, as I got both the pump and the control unit (which are basically just one piece) for €150, including a three month warrenty.

I guess the moral is, don't buy new unless you have no other alternative. If you try long and hard enough, you *will* find your parts.

Now, as to your other question, I do not believe lowering would have caused the ABS problem. Her Golf was not lowered, and had the problem, my car has been lowered (and lots of other cars I know) but yet they have no ABS problems.

One more thing; replacing the pump + control unit itself shouldn't take too long either - make sure they don't overcharge you for this procedure.
If it takes them an hour, it's long enough.

Good luck with the parts hunt!

Thank you very much for your fast reply, it helps me a lot.

I also want to add that in the past when the problem started, the ABS warning light was not lit from the moment i started the car but after 30-40 km. Turning off the car and then starting again would solve it then. Now it is lit from the moment i start the car and will not turn off.

I was wondering if there is something wrong with the connectors under the seat after what i read in the forum, i will check it, and the rear wheel sensors as well i guess before i buy the unit.

Also i would to ask if anyone knows any place to look for in the UK and especially near Coventry area.

Thanks a lot

Checking connectors/connections is always a good idea. It's a long shot, but see if the connector plug to the ABS computer is corroded or damaged in any way.

With the Golf I mentioned, it was like that all the time; the light would go on, and off, and on again - no real pattern to discover really. The VAG-Com readout said one of the senders was faulty, so we replaced it, but that didn't help.

Anyway. Good luck with the ABS!

Wow Speedlaw!

What a lengthly but informative piece of posting! Great job!

Hope you find that useful Adamos!