ABS problem?

[lunaraine]

Hi all. I have an '08 Skoda Octavia bought in November last year. There are three things that I wanted advice on. Firstly, the other day, the open door alarm went off while the keys were not in it. The same day, I got back to the car to find all the windows open, again no keys. More worrying is that on hard braking, I can feel a grating and slight judder from the pedal that is not noticeable to the passenger. I wondered if this was to do with the ABS as the light is not coming on at any point. Any clues? I am going to talk to the dealer today, but would like to be prepared as only the labour will be covered, not parts.

Cheers in advance,
Lorien

[Graham-W]

For the first two problems I think they'll have to run a diagnostics check.
The brakes problem sounds like worn out brake pads. If caught early it may just need pads. Otherwise new disks as well.

[lunaraine]

My other half has the car at the minute, so I can't check the book, but I am fairly sure it has not long had new brake pads. There are no other braking problems, just that sensation when braking suddenly, which happens a bit cos I live in Cornwall and it is all little blind country roads. It was mot'd when we got it so would any wear not have come up then?

[Graham-W]

If the pads have been replaced recently it could be a small stone that's got lodged in one of the brakes. Regarding the MOT, they may give you an "advisory" if they see excessive wear on the pads but don't rely on it. A quick look through the wheel will show any scouring on the outside of the disk but you won't be able to see it if it's on the inner side of the disk without being underneath the car.

[TWR]

The Judder can be caused by a warped disk but that would have shown up on the MOT Brake test, another thing that can cause the grating, if the top of the disks has not been cleared of the rust that builds up, a lip on disk top outer edge again that's not been cleaned, the ABS would come on if only a fault is pressent. Regards the Alarm, Re/Graham.

[chas2008]

when ABS kicks in it is felt as a judder (a really noticeable judder) through the brake pedal but it requires quite hard braking almost to the point of locking up before the ABS enables, and certainly not a grating sound.

[lunaraine]

There is no sound, just the feeling through the pedal. Having done some more research, it looks like it might well be the ABS working as it should. It is at that point just before you might lock up, that it happens. And believe me on narrow country lanes with plenty of blind corners, it gets tested.
Will get pads checked out anyway.

Thanks all,
Lorien

[gingejbee]

For all things Skoda, this site is invaluable:

http://briskoda.net/forums/index.php?