Me again with my game old bird of a sovereign...1995 4.0.

My wife has just called to say the ABS light has just come on. The brakes are working fine although have been getting a bit of a squeek from the rear when braking.
I suspect the rear pads are needing done anyway.

Given the brakes work fine and can just about stand the car on its nose if required.
Where do I start looking for a cure??

 

The light means that the system has failed it's self-test and may not function when called upon. This failure will not be apparent during normal driving which is why there's a warning light.

 

Thanks for that but I know that's what it means.
I was wondering where to start looking? Is there a common fault I should be looking for?

 

The sensors at the wheels and wiring are typical areas of concern.

 

You might want to check the steering wheel center clock spring chord first and if it is not broken then check the relay and the ABS control module.

 

The ABS system should reset when the ignition is turned on. The warning lamp will then come on if there is a fault after driving a short distance. There is a known problem with dry solder joints in the ABS control module which is directly below the ABS pump. The attached document describes how to repair.

 

You also may want to clean the ABS sensors and the immediate area around them. It may require a few cycles to see if the problem gets resolved.

 

Due to some delays, I'm not quite finished with my wheel bearing replacement yet, about 80% done with the second one, but during the whole experience I've had some ABS concerns too...

My ABS light has been on for years, I ignored it because one of my local indie shops said don't worry about it, brakes will just work as brakes without ABS... not sure how much of that I believe nowadays.

Anyway, while replacing my wheel bearings, I noticed that my speed sensors were completely choked up with brake dust/grease. They're clean now, but I haven't finished the job and got back out on the road yet. I have wheel speed sensor codes showing, which I hope to be gone once I'm done, but the "dreaded" C1095 code may need addressed too, by way of a soldering repair inside the ABS control module...

That ABS module is apparently notorious for problems, with a very easy/cheap solution, so it might be worth looking into.

 

Thanks everyone for your help. Very much appreciated.
However..its gone off!
So it can wait until I get a permanent fault show up!
Love cars that fix themself!

 

It's the ABS module.
Bumping. rattling and jarring while driving-eventually the two welds ( read up on 'em ) crack and need repair or replacement-did mine again TODAY! :-)
I've only had a similar issue 4 times.
And I GUARANTEE you the idiot light will return.
It's not if....it's when.
THere are lots of posts on the problem.
Fear not.

 

definitely the module, I tap mine on the side when it comes on and then it goes off. Been doing it for several years. It's just the car messing with your head
as long as the light is off its working, at least on my car. I tried it in a parking lot and the ABS works.

 

My ABS light was on for 5 years, and a local indie Jag shop said it was no big problem, so I ignored it cuz the ABS light is hidden by the steering wheel.

Another indie shop told me it would be a $2000 fix... I'm Scottish, so good luck getting me to pay that!

But, recently I had multiple ABS & chassis codes, so I decided to bust that module open and follow all the sage advice of our Jag elders, and HFS... it's 100% true.

Assuming you're sufficiently skilled and confident, bust it open and solder those 2 joints. Then bask in the glory cuz it's really that simple of a fix.