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[Platinum1]

Was just wondering if there are any mobile mechanics on here that cover the Stowmarket (Suffolk) area? Need to get my abs ecu unit off my 2.5 elite and don't know whether to attempt it myself, looks easy enough to do but knowing my luck something will go wrong and cost me a fortune.

Won't be using my local garage that did it before as they cannot even be bothered to call me back to get it booked in (have e-mailed and called twice but they obviously don't want any business so sod them!).

I need to get the unit removed so I can send it to Reman again! so they can fix whatever they were supposed to fix when it was with them last week and will need it fitting back on.

Any suggestions anyone!!!

[Kevin Wood]

The main issue is that it's awkward, tbh. Remove battery and move aside the 3 round connectors behind it, top coolant hose, unbolt the PAS reservoir and move it aside. You might need to loosen the pipe that comes out of the top of the PAS pump and swivel it forwards for more clearance.

Then you'll need a long reach TORX bit with some blu-tak on the end and a nice compact 90 degree drive. With patience it's not too bad a job.

Kevin

[Platinum1]

Thanks for the reply Kevin, 

It does sound pretty straight forward, is there anything that I can b@gger up or is it a case of just removing what you said. Why do you think the garages charge a lot for the labout then?

[Kevin Wood]

I would say take it steady, give yourself plenty of time and there's not much that could go wrong.

As I said, it's not difficult but the mounting screws are awkward to reach. If you find yourself getting frustrated, go and have a cuppa before you get the hammer and chisel out.

There's an excellent guide here: http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152729807

However, I would say that the following items which it instructs to remove, I left in place:


-Engine relay/ ECU box
-Coolant transfer pipe (thermostat feed pipe) (for clearance)
-Top plenum
-PAS pipe from top of pump Just loosen this and rotate it forwards. remember to put it back or it might foul the aux. belt
-PAS reservoir Just loosen the retaining bracket and move aside
-Undo all engine wiring loom round connectors from rear edge of battery tray.I just unscrewed the plastic mounting bracked and moved these aside. Didn't disturb the connections

Kevin

[Platinum1]

Thanks for the extra info mate 

I am worried that by removing coolant pipes and pas pipes, will it p out liquids! would this only happen if the engine was to be on and ok if not?

Do you know the torq bit size as I don't have any and the link to screw fix you pasted is no longer live

[Kevin Wood]

You will lose some coolant when you remove the top hose. Just top up again with 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water when refilling. Keep an eye on it when you first start it, squeeze the top hose repeatedly to work the air out of the system and top up as required.

The PAS pipe won't leak if you just crack the nut open enough to turn it.

This is the device you need to get the bit in there:

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/59985/Screwdriver-Bits/Bit-Holders/Angled-Bit-Holder

I can't remember the Torx bit size.

BTW: The car will drive without the ABS ECU fitted if you need to get around while it's being refurbed. There'll be no ABS of course, no speedo, and the power steering will not be speed sensitive. If you do this, tape some foam over the remaining part of the ABS valve body to keep the muck out.

Kevin

[Platinum1]

Thanks again Kevin, most helpfull 

[Lazydocker]

I'm a bit busy at the moment but may be able to pop over if you get stuck

As Kevin has said... Patience is the real key to this job

[Platinum1]

I'm a bit busy at the moment but may be able to pop over if you get stuck Thumbs Up! Thumbs Up! Thumbs Up!

As Kevin has said... Patience is the real key to this job

Thanks for that LD 

I appreciate your offer to help, I may need you if you know what you are doing with it. I am not a total dimwit on cars but do not like attempting anything that I am not 100% confident on, especially when it could cost big bucks from any mistake I may make  :-/.

The dilema I have is that the unit has to go back to BBA Reman as they refurbed it and said they will have another look and offered to pay for a garage to remove and refit. The problem is that I have lost all faith in my local garage that removed and refitted it and as I am new to Suffolk I do not know any other garages around here that will/can do it asap.

If you were able to have a look for me/do it, that would be fantastic and I would certainly cover your time. if you can invoice me even better as I can pay the going rate as Reman will be re imbersing me.

I am quite near you, just next to Debenham so if you did have time and were interested than please pm me.

Cheers Mate 

[Lazydocker]

I'm a bit busy at the moment but may be able to pop over if you get stuck Thumbs Up! Thumbs Up! Thumbs Up!

As Kevin has said... Patience is the real key to this job

Thanks for that LD 

I appreciate your offer to help, I may need you if you know what you are doing with it. I am not a total dimwit on cars but do not like attempting anything that I am not 100% confident on, especially when it could cost big bucks from any mistake I may make  :-/.

The dilema I have is that the unit has to go back to BBA Reman as they refurbed it and said they will have another look and offered to pay for a garage to remove and refit. The problem is that I have lost all faith in my local garage that removed and refitted it and as I am new to Suffolk I do not know any other garages around here that will/can do it asap.

If you were able to have a look for me/do it, that would be fantastic and I would certainly cover your time. if you can invoice me even better as I can pay the going rate as Reman will be re imbersing me.

I am quite near you, just next to Debenham so if you did have time and were interested than please pm me.

Cheers Mate 

Not a job I've actually done but that's not a concern

Not really after paying if I were to do it as I'd just be helping you but I do still have some headed paper somewhere from when I was working as a mobile mechanic

Not got a chance this week but may be able to help you out next week if you are home during the week? Unfortunately I'm on shift this weekend.

[tuckshop]

Hi platinum,

I had the same issue and to be honest I could not manage getting the 6 screws out.

I decided in for a penny in for a pound and removed the battery and all the relays and the box they are in together with the main ecu.

leave them all connected and plugged in just release them from the clips holding them all in place.
The length of the wires show easily how and where they go back.

take off the top hose - yes you lose the water but its a simple top back up when re-fitted.

disconnect the large round connectors and unbolt the power steering resovoir - make sure the top is on tight and move it out of your way you now have ample access to the abs pump with the ecu on the side.

I then one by one disconnected the brake lines and bent them out of the way just enough. I used masking tape to number them with the letters marked next to each connection on the main body so I knew where to put them back. Also if you look at them before undoing them you will see each one lays over another - either mark them up or remember the sequence so they go back easily and lay flat against each other.

The whole abs-ecu and pump is then held in by 2 bolts tightened onto mounting plates and a shield with plain ended studs going into the pump body into a grommet each side.

undo and remove the 2 studs then the whole complete unit can be lifted away from the rubber gromet single mount underneath and into a position where you can easily slide back the locking catch on the loom plug - it needs to be pulled out all the way - about 1-1/2 to 2 inches then the plug can be disconnected leaving you to fiddle out the complete unit.

You can then take the whole thing to the bench and easily undo the 6 torx screws.

To make sure you have the correct ecu and pump body ring any decent vauxhall dealer's spares shop and tell them you are looking for a new abs-ecu and possibly the pump.
Give them your reg number and they will quote you. Ask for the part numbers of the ecu and the pump so you can check yours.

This way you will deffo know you have the correct parts.

This method does mean you cannot use the car and you have to bleed the brakes up after refit but I found all of that easier than trying to fiddle about with the 6 screws.

When refitting reverse the procedure but make sure you put the abs-ecu connector plug in correctly and do it first before all else.

It took me an hour and a half to get it out and 30 or 40 minutes to refit. Luckily I had an air suction pump to bleed the brakes which with a mate topping up the resovior took about 10 minutes.

In my experience this was a better way for me to do the job but as you can see from the postings other find the former method ok.

Its your call mate......

[Entwood]

Good bit of work there tuckshop ..... but you might have just got a tad lucky ...

All the info I have states quite positively that the only way to bleed the ABS unit properly is by using a Tech2 to activate the individual valves.

Now I accept my info may be wrong, but in the absence of any other info I would be very hesitant in disconnecting the brake lines from the pump body.

You did it, and it worked .. great    but I'm not sure it is such a good idea, especially for less "mechanicly able" idiots like me !!

I'm sure an expert will pass by shortly and tell me I'm talking b******s

 

[Lazydocker]

Good bit of work there tuckshop ..... but you might have just got a tad lucky ...

All the info I have states quite positively that the only way to bleed the ABS unit properly is by using a Tech2 to activate the individual valves.

Now I accept my info may be wrong, but in the absence of any other info I would be very hesitant in disconnecting the brake lines from the pump body.

You did it, and it worked .. great    but I'm not sure it is such a good idea, especially for less "mechanicly able" idiots like me !!

I'm sure an expert will pass by shortly and tell me I'm talking b******s

 

Think it was a lucky break... I wouldn't chance having to bleed the brakes again as you are correct Entwood, the ABS ECU needs actuating with Tech 2 to bleed correctly

[tuckshop]

everything worked fine afterwards apart from the TC light did not go off. The spares man at the dealer did tell me that the new ecu I bought there came ready programed as it was the specific one for the car and so as soon as it powered up all was well.

This may not be the case with a remanufactured part tho...

I had to go to the dealers afterwards to have the tech2 plugged in and after 20 minutes reading the paper and £50 all was hunkydory and no adverse comments from the dealer mechanics.

[samrey4u]

Have you tried darth Bog Roll mate he is mobile and travels to you     ? erm i type in correct name and darth bog roll came out what gives