So the traction control light has come on on our 2008 focus 1.8tdci. Taking it down to our local specialist (not stealership) Wife tells me we need to replace the abs module and pump. Apparently it is not dangerous to drive but it is now an mot failure as the light stays amber. It’s going to cost in the region of £1300 (no new 29er for me then)

However bit of googling I see some companies offer reconditioning these parts with lifetime warrenties for around £200ish. One company is localish in Bournemouth called sinspeed.

Anyone had this issue, had this part reconditioned or used this company? It seems a common fault.

It’s common fault for one reason. Most cars never ever see the ABS system activated. What happens AFAIK is that when the ABS is activated pressure from the hydraulic accumulator is released. The pump then has to kick in to re-pressurise the accumulator. But, the pump has sat idle since the vehicle was built & has now siezed up 😥 So you get one activation of the ABS but get a warning light that refuses to go out as the pump cant re-pressurise the accumulator 👿

It may not be dangerous to drive but I’m not sure about the legality of driving the car with part of the braking system inoperative. There were prosecutions for this some years back. From memory, it involved the Sierra Cosworth, who’s ABS came with a switch to de-activate it.

Can’t help with getting the unit fixed. £1300 quid seems a bit steep. I’d hunt around, someone’s got to be fixing the ABS units. Where there’s muck there’s brass.

Good luck, D.

The rebuild is a common and permanent fix, if done properly. Sinspeed are one of the list that Honest John recommends. There are others….

here you go

Thanks guys. From the conversation reported to me by the misses the abs is fine it is the traction control that is not working but to fix the whole abs module needs replacing. The quote was by a ford specialist using genuine ford parts.

I need to phone them up in a bit as she didn’t get a written quote or even the part numbers….

I have a look at the link cheers

Mate had the same with his mondane tdci. All linked together with the ESP / Traction system. IIRC was quoted even more to fix the pump then sent it away for a rebuild . Refitted and needed coding by the stealership. Still didnt work properly and after alot of handbanging we found a twisted flexi brake line was collapsing where it had been incorrectly fitted . New one fitted and all good. Car now for sale as hes fed up with it

I am tempted to think it might not be the module and pump as the same garage fitted new disks and pads in January, but they said it they had damaged a sensor the light would have come on immediately.

We are seriously thinking about part ex too as it is a lot of money to be hit with. The car only cost 8k to buy in the first place….a pump and sensor costing an eighth of that to replace seems a pisstake

2nd hand from a breakers and see how long it lasts?

Google your fault as there seem to be plenty of threads on that subject, most people saying check sensors etc before commiting to the big job. Also if you find a problem with a sensor it should reset itself once fixed as you would not expect to go to a dealer everytime the car skidded etc.

2nd hand from a breakers and see how long it lasts?

Most parts like this are coded, and will need a trip to the diagnostic centre to reprogram the ‘new’ bit.

You can’t just fix cars these days, you have to tell them they are fixed.