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Using Tactrix to read ABS fault codes

Posted:
Wed Sep 10, 2014 9:40 am
by McDoof
I have a 04 (MY05) 3.0R Spec B and I have a tactrix cable.
I have my ABS light on and Error SS on the dash after a track day. It turns off every time I start the car and turns back on once I hit about 50km/h
Is there any way to use the tactrix cable to read the ABS fault codes? Learning View is not showing my any DTC codes. I am guessing a dirty speed sensor or a failed one, but I would like to find out which one so I can remove clean and or replace it.
Thanks
Re: Using Tactrix to read ABS fault codes

Posted:
Wed Sep 10, 2014 1:42 pm
by Surge
Download freessm.
Depending on which model tactrix you have, it may work.
Re: Using Tactrix to read ABS fault codes

Posted:
Wed Sep 10, 2014 2:08 pm
by McDoof
Depending on which model tactrix you have, it may work.
Thanks I'll give it a go, I have the latest revision of the 2.0 cable.
Re: Using Tactrix to read ABS fault codes

Posted:
Wed Sep 10, 2014 10:04 pm
by Surge
Your cable sadly won't work.
The older tactrix or a cheap eBay vagcom kkl cable works.
Can be had under $10.
Re: Using Tactrix to read ABS fault codes

Posted:
Thu Sep 11, 2014 7:43 am
by McDoof
Hmm, there must be another way. Is the Tactrix 2.0 a bit limited?
Re: Using Tactrix to read ABS fault codes

Posted:
Thu Sep 11, 2014 8:21 am
by bigBADbenny
Get the car on stands, it's one bolt per hub to undo and inspect the abs sensors

Re: Using Tactrix to read ABS fault codes

Posted:
Thu Sep 11, 2014 9:28 am
by Surge
McDoof wrote:Hmm, there must be another way. Is the Tactrix 2.0 a bit limited?
Well the older taxtrix is more basic, which for some reason is what freessm wants.
I had both cables and no matter what I did I couldn't get the 2.0 to work with freessm.
It's worth having both cables IMO.
You might even be able to ask someone from a VW or Audi forum since the Vagcom cable is what they all should have. Maybe someone lives close to you and they could lend you a cable. That's if you don't want to wait for one to arrive from eBay.
Re: Using Tactrix to read ABS fault codes

Posted:
Thu Sep 11, 2014 1:24 pm
by McDoof
Get the car on stands, it's one bolt per hub to undo and inspect the abs sensors

That was my plan for this weekend. Just thought if it was not something that was visible, like an electrical failure of sorts then I would be able to see which one it was. I will probably order myself a VAG-COM cable if giving all 4 sensors a clean does not solve the problem.
Re: Using Tactrix to read ABS fault codes

Posted:
Tue Sep 16, 2014 12:54 pm
by Heywood Jablowme
[quote="McDoof"]
I have my ABS light on and Error SS on the dash after a track day.
OP,
You still having the ABS light come on?
If so, I suspect the DTC will come back as the right rear sensor, but the cause won't be the sensor. More likely that you took a trip into the gravel, or someone else did before you & dumped it on the track (with you driving through it).
You need to check the tone wheel on the back of the hub / wheel bearing (Where the sensor actually reads the wheel speed), a small stone has most likely gotten into this area & damaged the tone wheel, thus, the sensor gets a dodgy reading.
Fix is to replace the bearing assembly....
Re: Using Tactrix to read ABS fault codes

Posted:
Mon Sep 22, 2014 6:30 am
by McDoof
I had a look at each of the sensors this weekend and the right rear was really dirty. But cleaning did not help. I will look at taking this side apart once the weather allows so I can have a look at the tone ring.
Is the tone ring part of the bearing assembly? I think this might be a job for the mechanic rather than a DIY job.
Re: Using Tactrix to read ABS fault codes

Posted:
Fri Oct 03, 2014 11:25 am
by Heywood Jablowme
Hi,
Correct, the tone wheel is part of the bearing assembly.
Easy enough job, but I have all the tools & have done this several times in the past.
Re: Using Tactrix to read ABS fault codes

Posted:
Sun Oct 12, 2014 8:08 am
by McDoof
So I have stripped down the rear wheel assembly on the right and sure enough there was a little bit of stone in there. There does not appear to be any physical damage to the hub assembly though. Unfortunately the issue persists. I am assuming the time ring is internal to the hub assembly.
Re: Using Tactrix to read ABS fault codes

Posted:
Fri Oct 17, 2014 2:09 pm
by Heywood Jablowme
No, the tone wheel is on the very end of the bearing assembly (inner side). Sorry, but I can't find a photo to attach.
Cheers
Re: Using Tactrix to read ABS fault codes

Posted:
Mon Oct 20, 2014 1:20 pm
by McDoof
Heywood Jablowme wrote:No, the tone wheel is on the very end of the bearing assembly (inner side). Sorry, but I can't find a photo to attach.
Cheers
Mine look like this
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51uct4iVVEL._SY300_.jpgI am going to go to my local Subaru dealer just to confirm that I have the correct wheel and then I am going to get a replacement hub assembly sorted out.
Re: Using Tactrix to read ABS fault codes

Posted:
Thu Feb 05, 2015 7:04 am
by McDoof
Subaru diagnostics indicated that the left rear ABS sensor was no sending anything. Got a used replacement from the local dismantlers. Finally I have my ABS back online. Easy fix in the end.