ABS fault light lit- VCDS lite??

Newbie Joined: Feb 22, 2009 Posts: 17

Hi everyone. I have an occurring ABS light, on my 1999 1.8 B4 cabby, I know there is a wheel bearing on its last legs, but I've had the wheels off and can't pick up where it is...I'm pretty sure its a front one. I always get the light on at the same point in the same journey, if it is going to come on. I have had VCDS lite on the car and it come up with '00597 wheel speed pulses, deviation 35-10'. This tallies with the bearing as this is a possible cause. However! Can the lite version tell me WHICH wheel sensor is at fault- the full version is quite pricey and needs a dedicated lead with built in dongle AFAIK. The lite version may be able to do it but I don't know how, or for sure. Anyone help me pout please? Thanx in advance.. Dave

BTW RossTech has this to say-

00597 - Wheel Speed Impulses; Deviation

00597 Wheel Speed Impulses; Deviation
Possible Symptoms
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) active
Possible Causes
Wheel or Tire Sizes not the same on all four Wheels
Wheel Speed Sensor Rotor dirty or damaged/faulty
Wheel Speed Sensor(s) installed incorrectly
Excessive Wheel Bearing play
Possible Solutions
Check Wheel and Tire Sizes
Check Wheel Speed Sensor Rotors
Check Wheel Speed Sensor Installation
Check Wheel Bearings

Site Moderator Joined: Jan 31, 2003 Posts: 9144

Think the clue is in the last line - wheel bearings.

Get that fixed

Newbie Joined: Feb 22, 2009 Posts: 17

Yes, but if the software can flag up which sensor it is, then I can go straight there, I have already had a look with the wheels off, but can find no slop in the bearings at all .

Site Moderator Joined: Jan 31, 2003 Posts: 9144

but that error is a generic code which doesn't pinpoint any sensor. it's just a code to tell you that the ABS system has a problem

Newbie Joined: Feb 22, 2009 Posts: 17

Ah,, I was afraid of that. Never mind, had to ask,,,thanx for helping, 'tis appreciated.

Site Moderator Joined: Jan 31, 2003 Posts: 9144

there is a way to tell which sensor is faulty (if any of them are) although it's not perfect.

disconnect the sensors - one at a time. connect a multimeter across the 2 pins

jack up the corner and spin the wheel. measure the voltage generated in millivolts

the faulty sensor will give a different reading from the others