ALHAMBRA 09 TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT

[Solentview]

Hello out there - I have an issue concerning an Alhambra 09 (BRT engine) - cambelt change on Monday by VW indie, but vehicle returned to me with Traction Control light illuminated (not showing before the cambelt change). Vehicle went back into indie workshop on Thursday, but no sign of forward progress after two days - except that they appear to be chasing broken wires across the back of the engine bay. Then I found the thread started by gazz1970 in Oct 2013, with good input from Chrisb and Mirez, which appears to be about an identical problem concerning engine bay wiring, starting with a cambelt change, even down to an identical spurious reading of 193+ bar at the brake sensor(?), (as reported to me by the indie w/shop manager).

I sense that the boss of the indie is struggling a bit, and I am wondering whether any kind person out there can identify other threads about TC wiring which might yield some clues as to where exactly the fault(s) may lie.

Also, does anyone know whether the traction control system can be (legally) neutralised and the warning light extinguished via the ECU(?) and VCDS(?). I am sure that my 1961 Mini did not have traction control, and I managed to survive that episode...

Thanks everybody.

[Chrispb]

Hi there.
It does seem likely there may be some problem with the wiring at the brake master cylinder pressure sensor as it's very close to the area when working on the cam belt.
Don't be confused with the wiring going the yellow cap this is for brake fluid level.
Below is a link to the switch and where it's fitted.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ABS-ESP-BRAKE-MASTER-CYLINDER-PRESSURE-SENSOR-to-VW-TRANSPORTER-MULTIVAN-TOUAREG/261242691549?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3Dc196b021cd1d4f3ba664c837ca94a384%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D15%26mehot%3Dag%26sd%3D283913010101%26itm%3D261242691549%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057%26brand%3DATE&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A43ccb10d-8fb6-11eb-ba8f-c2a7e9ea751a%7Cparentrq%3A788795a41780acb1950cf44bffd3bd48%7Ciid%3A1

According to my TIS manual the plug going to the switch has four terminals but only three are used, the colours are 1. black 2. white 3. not used 4. yellow.
Have a good check on the wires where they fit to the plug, they may look OK visually give them a little tug look for signs of corrosion they may be just holding on the covering but the core may be broken inside.

[Steve-SETDI]

I have same problem, the horn or radio don't work either..

[SirDavidAlhambra]

The horn is very important

I would like a Dixie tune horn on my car

I like it when cars have good loud horns, enough to get peoples attention

[Steve-SETDI]

I just fixed mine.. check this thread. - https://www.fordmpv.com/smf2/ford-galaxy-vw-sharan-seat-alhambra/esp-warning-light-and-radio-not-working/new/#new

[Solentview]

Just to round off the traction control light topic - problem started with a cambelt change, during which the wiring loom at the back of the engine bay, between the brake master cylinder and the ABS controller, was damaged. A replacement loom had no effect and the TC light remained on, so the ABS controller was sent away for inspection and was returned as serviceable. However, during re-fitting, the hydraulic part of the controller was cross-threaded and so a replacement controller was sourced and fitted - and the TC light went out. The supposition is that the original wiring damage had some sort of knock-on effect, and in turn damaged the electronic side of the controller. 

I am afraid to say that I am not qualified to comment on wiring loom damage and the impact on controller electronics - I am just glad to have the vehicle back.