ECBM problems

my 2002 P38 vogue, the main cu packed up and went haywire, my garage chichester 4x4 were first class, sent ecu away for repair, replaced and re-programmed, however it still comes up abs failure, traction control failure, they check on their module and no fault shows, I am now frightened to use the car though it runs ok, I am convinced the repaired ecbm is at fault, any ideas/help please

The BECM has no effect on the ABS TC as far as I'm aware. Under bonnet fuse box should be checked for signs/smells of burning. Otherwise diagnostics on the ABS ECU ought to show something unless the ECU is shot.

fulmar/88 said:

my 2002 P38 vogue, the main cu packed up and went haywire, my garage chichester 4x4 were first class, sent ecu away for repair, replaced and re-programmed, however it still comes up abs failure, traction control failure, they check on their module and no fault shows, I am now frightened to use the car though it runs ok, I am convinced the repaired ecbm is at fault, any ideas/help please

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Are you referring to the BeCM??

The ABS and Traction Control is handled by its own ECU....if there is a fault it tells the BeCM to display a message on the display....

Did they swap out the BeCM or the ABS ECU??

The most usual reason for ABS and Traction Failure messages is due to a weak battery - the P38 hates weak/duff batteries...even a tiny weakness can cause havoc....

Charge/Change the battery and see if it returns...

The P38 Fuse Box is known weakness too-----pop the lid off and take a whiff - if it smells of electrical burning that could be the issue too....

If your garage has swapped out the BeCM for an ABS fault - I would look for another garage!!

Check the ABS Sensors, they just push in, so one could have moved - just push them fully home - they will self gap.

If there are no stored codes, my first guess is battery and/or fusebox problems....

Once again due to my overly long posts - Datatek beats me to it...

Saint.V8 said:

Once again due to my overly long posts - Datatek beats me to it...

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Yeah but yours have more useful info than mine I give it out in small bytes

thank you Datek, the ecbm went haywire locked the car and unable to start even with code, at thet time the error codes on abs and tc had been showing, the unit was repaired and re-fitted. the car was then fine but after a week the 2 codes showed again and are now on almost all the time though the car handles ok, they checked with the laptop and no faults showed, they have checked wheel sensors and fuse box, I am now loath to use the car as I MAY have the abs fault and traction control and I understand one's insurance is void if the car is driven and I feel the same if error codes are shown. If the becm shows no faults and these and these codes are showing could the unit be at fault? my garage also fitted an extra large new battery at the same time, thanks everyone,

fulmar/88 said:

thank you Datek, the ecbm went haywire locked the car and unable to start even with code, at thet time the error codes on abs and tc had been showing, the unit was repaired and re-fitted. the car was then fine but after a week the 2 codes showed again and are now on almost all the time though the car handles ok, they checked with the laptop and no faults showed, they have checked wheel sensors and fuse box, I am now loath to use the car as I MAY have the abs fault and traction control and I understand one's insurance is void if the car is driven and I feel the same if error codes are shown. If the becm shows no faults and these and these codes are showing could the unit be at fault? my garage also fitted an extra large new battery at the same time, thanks everyone,

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The BECM does not have a fault code memory. The ABS/TC fault is unlikely to be caused by the BECM unless it is activating the message for no good reason. You can test the ABS by standing on the brakes on grass or loose gravel, you will know if the ABS kicks in.
In fact the fault of the car locking was also possibly not the BECM, that is usually the RF receiver.
You need to get the ABS ECU fault codes read. If there are no fault codes, check the sensors as SV8 suggested, after that fork out for a secondhand ECU from Emmotts of the right type for the year of your car and try that, you can easily re-sell the ECU if it does not fix the problem.

I would follow DAtateks good advice above.
Have you had the ABS ECU codes read while the ABS/TC lights were illuminated on the dash?.If by the remote chance that the BECM is outputting the error messages without the necessary input from the ABS ECU,then your ABS/TC should be working normally and you can verify as per Datateks post.

update, cleaned all fuses and relays, error codes still present found a long deserted road and did a emergency stop, could hear and feel ABS and TC, car stopped dead and straight. does this mean I have no fault with those units and no fault shows on the becm but the lights are on showing error, I am also advised driving with error light on ABS invalidates the insurance, is this true? thanks for all your help and I do hope this can be solved.

You need to have the fault codes read in the ABS ecm,you cannot read fault codes in the BECM.If that is what your indy has been trying to do then no wonder they cant read any codes!!.
See my previous post re the possibilites of the systems actually working.
I dont know about the validity of your insurance,you should ask them.As ABS light on is now a MOT failure,I would hazard a guess that your P38 is no longer roadworthy (legally speaking) as you have to maintain the vehicle in a roadworhty state at all times and not "repair" just before the next MOT.

fulmar/88 said:

update, cleaned all fuses and relays, error codes still present found a long deserted road and did a emergency stop, could hear and feel ABS and TC, car stopped dead and straight. does this mean I have no fault with those units and no fault shows on the becm but the lights are on showing error, I am also advised driving with error light on ABS invalidates the insurance, is this true? thanks for all your help and I do hope this can be solved.

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So if the ABS works, you have ruled out the sensors, could still be the ABS ECU as I think the lights are operated directly from the ECU. Do you have an error message on the message centre? Could also be a wiring problem.

As for the insurance, I would tell them that the ABS is working but the light is faulty and see what they say.

morning Datatek, thanks for that, makes sense, I plan to go to my garage again and get them to check the ABS ecu again, will post the result, wish you were near chichester.

fulmar/88 said:

morning Datatek, thanks for that, makes sense, I plan to go to my garage again and get them to check the ABS ecu again, will post the result, wish you were near chichester.

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I am occasionaly, Family live in Worthing LOL

update, my son also has a P38 he popped over cleaned relays etc and pushed wheel sensors in, I wanted to take the car to my garage with error codes showing, drove all round yesterday no joy, today did another run, bumpy, fast slow, no errors, my son used his electronic multimeter on each sensor and rotated each wheel, increased reading on all so does that mean sensors are ok?

fulmar/88 said:

update, my son also has a P38 he popped over cleaned relays etc and pushed wheel sensors in, I wanted to take the car to my garage with error codes showing, drove all round yesterday no joy, today did another run, bumpy, fast slow, no errors, my son used his electronic multimeter on each sensor and rotated each wheel, increased reading on all so does that mean sensors are ok?

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You already proved the sensors were OK when you brake tested it and the ABS kicked in. either the ABS ECU is faulty, not uncommon, or there is a wiring fault.

Happy to have read all on this thread gives a little hope, ABS and TC on together a bit scary. So 1 check fuse box, 2 check wheel sensors, 3 run Nanocom, 4 check wiring,
5 Drive to see Datatek with bottles of wine or other goodies.

May be arriving in Green V8, any preference on wine, you're near the cabernet's. AND MANY thanks.

RovyCouple said:

May be arriving in Green V8, any preference on wine, you're near the cabernet's. AND MANY thanks.

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Wonder if this post was meant for @Datatek to see.

If you go I got a hazard switch you can take him.