$2200.00 for ABS Control Module???

[JenJoan]

This is my first time posting, so hello to everyone! I'm hoping I'm in the right forum, if not, I'm sure someone will let me know. I got in my 2002 Protege the other day, and both the ABS, and Parking brake lights were on. No ABS!! I only have 83,000km on it, so it seems strange to me that it could just give it up. Doesn't it seem strange?? Or maybe it does just happen. But anyway....my mechanic wants $2700.00 (part & labour). Seems high to me....anyone else?? I have searched the forums and have seen this issue pop up once or twice, but couldn't find any info on what it may have cost those people. I did check recalls and there are none. Has anyone else in Alberta (I'm in Calgary (Go Flames)) had the same issue?? Thanks for reading!!

 

[geomatics_tech]

I had the same problem about 3 years ago with an ABS sensor, it was fixed under warranty so I dont know how much the total cost would have been.

That seems really high, was that a quote from a Mazda dealership?

Also, there are a few things that can cause the ABS and ebrake light to come on.
1. Low brake fluid
2. Worn out pads

Check into that before spending any serious money.

 

[shane02pro5]

I would try car-part.com which shows the pump being a max of $350 and abs computer with a bunch of options the highest being $100. Even just getting the parts and having a shop do the labor would be much cheaper than ordering new parts which I'm sure is what you were quoted.

 

[JenJoan]

Thanks for all the information. I had the brakes done in January (new pads & rotors), and am now wondering if they could have 'tripped' or done something (not a Mazda dealership). I called a Mazda dealership and the service person said he's never seen an ABS module on a Protege 'give it up', so he suggested bringing it in for a look. I'll do that, but if it is the module, I think I will try the car-part suggestion. Thanks again. I'll be back when I find out what the issue is!!

 

[funkytuqe]

Maybe one of the ABS sensors went bad? I actually have been dealing with something similar, my ABS and brake light have been coming on intermittently over the past couple of weeks. I added some brake fluid and it now seems ok, i think my pads might be getting low. Let us know what the result is.

 

[mazdaspeedp]

stay far away from the stealership especially northhill your car will leave more broken than when it arrived. Make sure its not just a wheel speed sensor i think there is 4 and if one is broken it can cause your abs to fail and abs +brake light to go on i remember seeing allot of those wheel speed sensors break on proteges check the left rear one

 

[JenJoan]

So, I did end up taking it to a dealership. The dealership says the module is fine....it's a sensor (right rear, I believe). $540.00 (all in) compared to $2700.00. So now I'm left wondering how the other place (and it is a large chain) figured it was the module? I'm pretty choked, and am left wondering about the competency of the other place. I have some questions for Mazda before contacting the other place....one question for Mazda (although maybe someone here can answer it); if it's hooked up to the machine, and both the ebrake, and ABS lights are one, would the error codes show that the ABS module is 'kaput'?? If the codes would show that, then I don't have as much to complain about. But then again....why wouldn't the other place check the sensors first? I don't know much about cars, but I think I would check the sensors first (if I knew more about that stuff). Why wouldn't they start with checking the smaller things first?? I hope it's not a case of, a woman walks in and they see $$ signs!!! I pick my car up on Friday so will let you know what the dealership says, and then where I will go from there. Thanks for all the input; it's much appreciated.

 

[mazdaspeedp]

i say they just want to make money from you thats how mechanics are allot of the time. It is a problem that the dealership knows happens though since they see it all the time. maybe your mechanic honestly thought it was the module. I kinda doubt it though cuz then if they replaced the module it still would not work

 

[JenJoan]

I'm hoping the 'other place' honestly thought it was the module. So, if they replaced the module, then it still wouldn't work....good to know, thanks, mazdaspeedp! Once I get my question answered by Mazda, I'll let you know what they say.

 

[JenJoan]

For future reference (in case anyone else runs into the same issue).....ABS, and ebrake lights were on, and I had no ABS. Took it to a place (not Mazda, but a large chain), and they hooked it up to the machine. They said I needed a new ABS comp module for $2200.00. Decided I'd take it to Mazda to see what they would say. The day I was taking it to Mazda, the ABS, and ebrake lights went out, and I had ABS. Asked Mazda to check it out anyway. They hook it up to their machine, and it said I needed a new sensor (right rear). The cost was just over $500.00. I asked Mazda WHY the machine at the other place would have said I needed a new ABS module.....Mazda said that some of the machines may not be as high-tech (not quite their words, but close) as the machine they have. I'm now thinking I should contact the other place (they charged me $150.00 just to hook it up), and give them 'the what for'. IF I had chosen to have the work done at the other place (for $2700.00 all-in), it STILL wouldn't have worked.....that's my argument. Any input from anyone?? I now no longer trust the other place, and have to question the competency of their staff. And again....why wouldn't the other place have checked the sensors to begin with???? I'm choked, and could go on and on, but won't. Any input from anyone would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks again.

 

[mazdaspeedp]

lol go demand your 150 back

 

[JenJoan]

So....it's looking like I'm SOL, but I will NOT let it rest yet!! I contacted the other place. The manager said they ran the tests twice, and the ABS mod. error code came up once. He said the error code for the sensor did come up, so they ordered another and compared to mine, but the resistance was the same. Greek to me, really.

The manager said the guy at the counter should have told me to just take the car and drive it until the ABS, and ebrake lights went out, and then bring it back for another test (which they would have done for free); he didn't.

The manager also said he HAS replaced the ABS module on proteges, and he doesn't believe that Mazda hasn't.....you just don't know who to believe!! That's it, that's all, and thanks again for the input.

 

[geomatics_tech]

What shop are you talking about? Would be nice to know so others can avoid them, I wouldn't worry about protecting their identity as they already tried to rip you off.

 

[Maxx Mazda]

If it's the wheel speed sensor I can change it for you for a case of beer. Done a few already. Buy a new one from NAPA and bring it by!

 

[JenJoan]

I would have paid triple that, Maxx Mazda, thanks! I already paid the $540.00, but thanks again. I contacted Kal Tire and they are looking into the issue once again.

 

[mazdaspeedp]

lol kaltire sucks