abs and hand brake warning lights

I have had an A4 1.8T quattro for a little bit more than 4 yrs and the warranty expired 2 months ago. The ABS and hand brake warning lights come on and flash for about 5 to 10 seconds. It usually happens after about 0.5km of driving after each startup. It would also repeat after about 50km of driving. Does anyone know what the problem is? Audi mechanics said that it cost $100/hr just to find out what the problem is. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much in advance.

ya that problem started for me just a little while ago. im not sure what it is however i know that my brakes are not done yet and that the hasnd brake is in good repair im looking around hpe to find whats up i will tellu if i find nething

Thanks in advance.

FAULT ENTRY: DATA BUS DRIVE FAULTY
MODELS AFFECTED: Models from '98
FAULT: When performing self diagnosis the fault 01312- Data bus drive faulty, is indicated as sporadic fault
without ABS warning light flashing before.
CAUSE: The ABS system isn't defective if the fault is indicated as sporadic. The entry is caused by a
software fault. Only when a permanent fault is indicated, the system is defective.
SOLUTION: If the fault is sporadic just delete the fault entry, no further repair needed. If data bus defective,
fault entry is permanent. Recode ABS control unit, check for short circuit on date cable. There is no affect
on ABS function.

this looks like it might be it

A very similar problem is happening to my A4, but instead of the hand brake warning lights coming on .5km and 50km after the startup, mine come on whenever i take a turn sharper than 90 degrees, whenever i take any turn a tiny bit too fast, and/ or whenever i go up some kind of hill. Would the cause and the solution be the same?

I disconnected the battery and reconnected it but the ABS and hand brake lights still come on and flash occasionally. I also sensed pulses on the brake pedal at the same time. I am bringing the car to the shop tomorrow and try to ask them to delete the codes. I hope this is the cheapest way to cure the problem.

have you looked at your brakes yet are they in good repair?
have you abused the hand brake in the past
check for stuff like that first before you go deleting the codes ill look around somme more c what i kan find


oh btw i got red tint on my a4 it is SICK :ylsuper:

The cheapest way is to get a vagcom and delete the codes yourself...

Also the abs system checks itself every time you start the car and drive youll feel the pedal pulse when it does this...

I had a problem like this except the lights remained on. for me it turned out to be a stetched wheel speed sensor.

Find a good mechanic who has some experience with audis... stay away from the deallership the charge way to much... $100 HR is way to much most deallers charge about $85 which is still to high.

i really dont know wuts up ne more however it seems that the light goes on when i accelerate hard or pull sharp corners, it might be a sensor

I called up a few local auto shops. Only one has a "snap-on" diagnostic scan tool. The mechanic plugged it in and keep getting the message "no communication". He unplugged it and plugged it in again and my car beep for a few times. At the end there is still no communication. I think that either he does not have the right tool or the data cable of my car is not connected properly. I am going to find another shop next week.

Although the brake pads and tires are not new, they are still in good shape. I also checked the brake fluid level. It is full. Also, the warning lights can come on at any road condition: uphill, downhill, level, bumpy, etc. I will give you guys an update as soon as I find a way to cure the problem.

you can clear your ecu buy disconnecting the negitive wire on your battery terminal an pressing the brake 4 times idk if this works couple of friends told me this

Yes disconecting the battery will erase your codes but will you will have to do a throttle body alignment...
with car off put the key in the ignition turn the key to the on position without engaging a starter make shure nothing is on turn of radio blower lights ect... leave it in this position for three minutes
then turn the key to the off position then start...

It sounds like your ABS module has packed in.

Mine did the same go out come on etc etc.

You need to change it, I bought a secondhand unit (£100/$180) and have not had a problem since.

For the person whos ABS is coming on when cornering and up hills I would say you have a different problem, maybe your ABS sender at the breaks is loose.

Follow this link regarding ABS it quite a common problem.
http://tech.bentleypublishers.com/thread.jspa?threadID=3409&tstart=0

I found out what the problem with my car was (5th reply on this thread), so if anyone ever has the same problem as i did, i recommend checking the brake fluid level first before spending tons of time trying to disconnect and reconect anything!

make shure no air got in the lines you will then need to bleed the brakes

I would have thought you would check the break fluid first.:eek7: