PSM ABS lights coming on, any advice.??

[Guest]

Hi all,

I got my 996 C4 tiptronic about 6 months ago and all of a sudden when you put your foot down, the PSM and ABS lights turn themselves on.. there is nothing else wrong with the car and i reckon that it could be a something or nothing problem.

has anyone else had this problem with there car? I was told that it could be a brake switch, but I can't see how that will work???

any help would be appreciated as i'm selling the car to a friend and need to get it sorted out before he get's the car next week.

thanks.

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

MAF Sensor - almost definitely.

When it is on the way out it gives inconsistent signals to the DME, ABS, and PSM control modules.

 

[Guest]

Richard,

many thanks for that info, do you know of the best place to locate a new sensor?

thanks

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

Eurocarparts.com are usually a bit cheaper than an OPC. You don't say what year your car is, but here are the part numbers for eGas cars:

MY1999-01 (eGas 3.4L): 996.606.124.00
MY2002 on (eGas 3.6L): 986.606.125.01

 

[Guest]

it's a 996 C4s tiptronic cabriolet.

so, if i order this and get my friend who's a mechanic to order it this will cure the problem?

thanks.

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

If it's a C4S (3.6) then you need the 986.606.125.01 MAF. I can't give you a written guarantee, but it is a common problem, and a new MAF is usually the answer. It is a 5 minute job to change - you just need a T20 Torx Security bit for the screws.

 

[Guest]

sorry, i forgot to mention in the last post it's a 1999 model.. I've put 996 without looking at what i'm typing, it should have said 1999.. is this still the correct part number?

thanks.

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

Sorry, if it's a 1999 C4 (3.4) then you need the 996.606.124.00 MAF. When you wrote C4s I thought you meant C4S.

 

[Guest]

that's why I put the small s, not the S, I wish that it was the C4S cab, then it wouldn't be going anywhere.....

thanks for your help, i'll see if i can source one, i've got a friend of mine who works for bosch, so i will see if there is anything that he can locate to help me with it. otherwise i'll get on the net this evening and find the best price i can..

I'd heard that you can clean out the MAF with electronic spray cleaner from RS counters, none residue type, this apparently could sort out the MAF, but there again, i could be talking a load of rubbish..

cheers.

 

[adrian996]

Hi Richard. Could you tell me if there is any truth in vacuuming the MAF to keep it working efficiently? Do I get to it via the air filter box? Is it worth doing (even if the car is running ok?) and how difficult is it? Sorry to bombard you!! Ade.

 

[Rodney Naghar]

I'd heard that you can clean out the MAF with electronic spray cleaner from RS counters, none residue type, this apparently could sort out the MAF, but there again, i could be talking a load of rubbish..

You have heard correctly! Try this link for help.

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/f2/diy-maf-cleaning-34434/?perpage=15&pagenumber=1

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

Personally I think it's only worth cleaning the MAF if it has 25-30000 miles on it. If it has done in the region of 50-60000, and it is causing problems, bin it.

Here's a pic of the airbox. If you have a C4 it has a connector clip which can be a struggle to get off. The easiest way to get it off is to remove the two T20 Torx security screws first, lift out the MAF sensor, turn it around, and you'll see the clip.

 

[Robertb]

I've heard about a switch on the brake pedal causing a similar prob.

 

[Guest]

put a new brake pedal switch on there and for the first couple of times of accelerating the lights didn't come on, then did it again and the problem is back...

gonna have to get the MAF sensor sorted out and see if that makes a difference.