ABS / Traction Control Module?

Hi all, I bought a 2004 defender 90 a couple of months ago, recently the ABS and Traction Control lights on the dash stay on all the time.
I have had the vehicle inspected by a landy specialist, they say it needs a new ABS / Traction control module. They gave the option of a new unit at a cost of around £750 or second hand at a cost of £350.
This seems quite expensive, has anyone got any experience of this problem?
My vehicle has only covered 37000 miles from new, is this a common fault on this vehicle??
I have also been informed that one option is to have the ABS and Traction control removed. Is this a wise choice!?!

Hope you can help me, I'm new to this defender game!!

See my post "Default TC/ ABS Light" from Friday for a cheaper possibility.
Do the TC & ABS work?
If I ever find out what is wrong with ours (should be being fixed under warranty, so I probably won't know what they do) I'll let you know

If you remove the ABS you should tell the insurance company. As you are removing a safety feature I doubt they'll be impressed despite the fact that the vast majority of Defenders don't have it.

What did they say was actually wrong with it,any fault codes etc and where are you ?

The lights only came on on Friday, so the dealer hasn't seen it yet.
Since my original question we have established that both TC & ABS are working despite the lights.

Thanks Davec & eightinavee,
The description on the print-out fron the landy specialist reads 'ABS control module internal faulure'
I have had a good look at the wheel sensors and cables under the vehicle and can't see any visible problems here!
Any information is useful to me!!

If they've actually got a readout from their computer that's looking a bit more serious.
Do the ABS & TC work?

randy90 said:

Thanks Davec & eightinavee,
The description on the print-out fron the landy specialist reads 'ABS control module internal faulure'
I have had a good look at the wheel sensors and cables under the vehicle and can't see any visible problems here!
Any information is useful to me!!

Click to expand...

What kit did they use to read the codes,did they try clearing them ?

One of my sensors had a problem after I changed the bearing on one of the wheels. The sensors push out, give them a good clean and push back in. Its worth a try first before you invest in a new system.

Regarding removal.
When using my defender of road (before I had the arbs fitted) I would just remove the fuse which disables the ABS and traction control.

The ABS and TC is not working but the brakes are working fine.
If I had the choice then I would be without both ABS and TC but this would be an MOT failure!
I am not sure what diagnostic equipment the landy specialist has used, they say that they cleared the faults but the same faults returned.
I am a little reluctant to state the name of the specialist as I'm not sure if that is allowed on the forum and how the specialist would feel if they read this!?!

To help you any further we need to know if they want to replace the ECU or the modulator - 2 very separate bits.Dont post the name of the indy,its not going to help anyone.Posting the actual wording of the fault is the best thing if you can.

garybrun said:

Regarding removal.
When using my defender of road (before I had the arbs fitted) I would just remove the fuse which disables the ABS and traction control.

Click to expand...

Why?

Thanks for the info so far, I'll have a chat with the indy tomorrow and post back.

Davec said:

Why?

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Becasue the traction controll worked against me and I found I couldnt get anywhere when driving though deep crap. It kept applying the brakes... traction control acts like reversed ABS. I kept loosing power with the traction control. When I bypassed it the car functioned a lot better.

there are quite a few here in Nrway who have a switch which bypasses the traction control when we sever off roading. Try and see,, I really think you will notice the difference. the traction control is excellent when driving on snow but when you really want to get ahead in some terrain it works against you.

Has anyone taught you how to use TC?
If you are used to driving off road you will know that if you start to loose traction, the correct course of action is to remove the cause of the wheel spin, usually too much power, so lift off. With TC, this will just bring you to a halt quicker, as it puts the brakes on.
With TC, if the wheels starts spinning, hold your right foot still, perhaps even apply a bit more power, and be patient, give it time to work.
Its got me amazing places on road tyres.

"I kept loosing power with the traction control"
TC on a Defender does not reduce the power, that is you lifting off.

Davec said:

Has anyone taught you how to use TC?
If you are used to driving off road you will know that if you start to loose traction, the correct course of action is to remove the cause of the wheel spin, usually too much power, so lift off. With TC, this will just bring you to a halt quicker, as it puts the brakes on.
With TC, if the wheels starts spinning, hold your right foot still, perhaps even apply a bit more power, and be patient, give it time to work.
Its got me amazing places on road tyres.

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Yes Davec.
I do know how to use traction control.
Becasue I have the extreme kit fitted I have a lack of down pressure.
I cant explain what I mean... you have to see it on the stufff we drive in.
When the traction control is disengaded the car functions better.
Now I have the ARBs this lack of down pressure does not ingibit me that much now.

I have a bit more information on the abs/tc fault.
I have been told its the modulator that needs replacing due to a shuttle valve failure at a total cost of nearly £800!! Ouch!!!! (This is with a second hand modulator).
They are repairing it today as I need to get an MOT tomorrow. I use this car every day so I need to get it back on the road.
I really hope this cures the problem once and for all!
Is there any way I can prevent this happening again by checking or servicing the modulator??

garybrun said:

Yes Davec.
I do know how to use traction control.
Becasue I have the extreme kit fitted I have a lack of down pressure.
I cant explain what I mean... you have to see it on the stufff we drive in.
When the traction control is disengaded the car functions better.
Now I have the ARBs this lack of down pressure does not ingibit me that much now.

Click to expand...

Sorry, I couldn't think what arbs were, the penny's dropped now. Yes they will b***** up the TC settings, how that will work in practise I have no idea.