VW Up ABS Light On, Braking & Traction Issues Alert

Last month my 2020 Polo GTI had similar symptoms. The ABS warning on the dashboard stayed illuminated and the car felt unstable during emergency braking. After inspection, the issue was traced to a faulty wheel speed sensor and a damaged control unit. The transmission of data between the speed sensor and the ABS control unit was interrupted, causing the malfunction. The repair required replacing both components since the control unit was affected by moisture damage. This was definitely a serious safety issue that needed immediate attention. The repair involved: Diagnostic scan to confirm the malfunction, Testing all 4 wheel speed sensors, Removing the damaged control unit, Installing and programming new components, Calibrating the ABS system, Test driving to verify proper operation The odometer reading was accurately checked during diagnostics to ensure the speed sensors were providing correct input. For safety reasons, driving with malfunctioning ABS should be avoided as it compromises braking performance. A certified shop with proper diagnostic equipment is essential for this repair, as generic scanners may not access all ABS system parameters.

Thanks for detailing your experience with the ABS issue. That sounds quite similar to what I am experiencing with my Up. The diagnostic procedure you described makes total sense. Would you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the complete repair? Also curious if you had any related issues pop up since the fix was done? Always good to know what to watch out for with these ABS system malfunctions.

The total repair came to 1000€ for the affected control unit replacement and associated work. Since getting it fixed three months ago, the ABS system has worked flawlessly with no speed signal faults or warning lights reappearing. The diagnostic process detected that moisture had indeed caused the malfunction in the control unit. The repair shop also verified all input signals from the wheel sensors during their final testing to ensure everything was transmitting correctly. The ABS now engages properly during hard braking, and the odometer readings match actual vehicle speed perfectly. No additional issues have emerged since the repair. Its definitely worth getting these ABS system problems sorted quickly by a qualified shop with proper diagnostic equipment.

I took your advice and went to get the Up checked out at a certified shop last week. The mechanic ran a complete diagnostic scan which confirmed the speedometer sensor malfunction you mentioned. Turns out water had gotten into one of the wheel sensors, causing incorrect input signals to the ECM. The shop replaced the damaged sensor and thoroughly checked the entire ABS system. Total cost was 580€, less than I feared after hearing about your control unit replacement. After a week of driving, the ABS warning light has stayed off and the braking feels solid again. The mechanic also showed me the diagnostic readings before and after to prove the repair fixed the signal malfunction. Glad I got it sorted quickly before any bigger issues developed. Good call on using a certified shop. Their proper diagnostic equipment made all the difference in pinpointing the exact problem without unnecessary parts replacement.