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ALB Problem

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 10:12 pm
by jjmartin349571
Hi Folks,

On my Accord GSi the anti-lock brake warning lamp is on, so currently I can't get an MOT :( It goes out if I depress the brake though... I've no idea what might be causing this. My first guess is possibly seized brakes, but why would pressing the pedal fix this? I've had another thought as well - the brake pedal is a bit spongey, could I need to replace the brake fluid?

I want to get the car on the road by Friday ideally so any help greatly appreciated :D

Cheers,
Josh

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 10:39 pm
by indigolemon
Read the ALB code man. The ECU will have diagnostic LEDs on it ( you just have to find it)

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 10:46 pm
by jjmartin349571
:? Any ideas on how to do that?

I'm thinking of bleeding the brakes and going from there. They'll need doing anyway after standing so long

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 10:52 pm
by indigolemon
There is a guide for the ALB on the third gen in the workshop manual. PM coming your way.

Re: ALB Problem

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 10:53 pm
by FrontBackSide2Side
jjmartin349571 wrote::? Any ideas on how to do that?

I'm thinking of bleeding the brakes and going from there. They'll need doing anyway after standing so long
This is normal mate. The old ALB system needs priming which is done when you first depress the brake pedal.

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 11:15 pm
by jjmartin349571
FrontBackSide2Side wrote:
jjmartin349571 wrote::? Any ideas on how to do that?

I'm thinking of bleeding the brakes and going from there. They'll need doing anyway after standing so long
This is normal mate. The old ALB system needs priming which is done when you first depress the brake pedal.
Normal for the ALB light to remain on once the engine is started, up until the brake pedal is depressed?

That's an MOT failure though :?

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 11:26 pm
by jjmartin349571
newkid wrote:
jjmartin349571 wrote:
FrontBackSide2Side wrote:
jjmartin349571 wrote::? Any ideas on how to do that?

I'm thinking of bleeding the brakes and going from there. They'll need doing anyway after standing so long
This is normal mate. The old ALB system needs priming which is done when you first depress the brake pedal.
Normal for the ALB light to remain on once the engine is started, up until the brake pedal is depressed?

That's an MOT failure though :?
Nope, my old Vectra GSI had this on the trip computer warning, once the brake was pressed after starting or even just ignition on the warning went out, it was a fail safe to make sure everything was working correctly. If the light stayed on you knew you had a problem.
Ok so the big question is, will my MOT tester accept this?? The fellas at work seemed to think it was a fail if the light didn't go out of its own accord :?

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 11:38 pm
by jjmartin349571
The shop manual says that the ALB light should go out by itself after the ignition is switched on. Apparently I need an ALB checker too :lol:

Re: ALB Problem

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 11:43 pm
by FrontBackSide2Side
i dont know bud. Im just going on my old 2g Prelude which did exactly the same and at the time that's what i was told.

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 11:58 pm
by jjmartin349571
I need to locate the ALB control unit and see what code it's reading out. One consideration I've had is that the car was stored without a battery connected up - Could the ALB system be freaking out from being reset? From what I've read it's a very complex system :?