Probably a failing ABS module that needs to be repaired, but can't know without more info.
Scan the Eng and ABS, and post the codes.

 

Thank you Tom. Taking my car in to get it checked out. Talk soon.

 

If you do take it to a mechanic, don't let them charge you mega-bucks to replace the ABS module. It can be rebuilt cheaply (<$100) by any number of outfits in the US. If faulty, it needs to be removed, mailed off, and then re-installed. The car can be driven without the ABS module while you wait (although obviously without operating ABS.)

 

Hi Guys: Thanks so much for your insights.

I took my car to Volks Cafe a VW mechanic shop in Santa Cruz. They scanned my car and did not charge me for it.

Scan result: 00283 - ABS Wheel Speed Sensor - front left (G47) 30-10 - open or short to plus - intermittent. My brakes are at 50 and 80 and work just fine. Since yesterday the ABS light has not come on. I live in the mountains and this time of the year we get lots of fog. So, not sure if this is related. Plus my car is 13 years old and it has 218K miles on it. could this be just wear and tear?

Thank you again.
Ellie

 

It appears that there is an intermittent fault in the Wheel Speed Sensor - front left; or a fault in its wiring or connectors.

 

I second what Tom wrote above. The fact that your brake pads are only worn 50 and 80% and work fine has nothing whatsoever to do with the wheel speed sensor issue. That code is the ABS computer telling you that sometimes it loses communication with the front left wheel speed sensor. When that happens, you will still have brakes, but you may not get proper ABS function when you need it. A replacement sensor and harness aren't all that expensive. The labor to install will probably be the most expensive part.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-vemo-pa...s/front-abs-sensor-priced-each/8d0927803d~vmo/?gclid=CMHdlPr7r9ACFUkvgQodO0cKtg

 

Thank you Tom and Steve! I'll go back to Volks Cafe, share this information for them and will get it done. Is it safe for me to drive my car until I get it done in the next 2-3 days?

 

Safe. The ABS system may not activate as intended but you can stop fine in normal driving. ABS just keeps the brakes from locking up under severe braking where the tires lose traction.

 

Until we bought the Passat in 2001, none of our cars even had ABS.
We drove our Passat for a week or so while I waited for a rebuilt ABS module to arrive.

One caveat -- my failing ABS module evidently caused me to fail California smog inspection, because the tech. at the smog station was unable to communicate with my car at all. I did fine on the retest, with the new ABS controller installed, but I probably could have passed the first time if I had simply disconnected the failing ABS. I chatted w/ Uwe "VCDS" Ross about this and he also suspects the that a flaky ABS module could interfere w/ a smog test in some relatively rare instances.

 

Hi Everyone:
Thank you so much for all the helpful information, greatly appreciate it. So, the ABS sensor needs to be replaced, correct? I just want to make sure . I went to volkscafe and shared the information you provided and will be taking my car there to get it fixed. Just out of curiousity, what causes the ABS sensor to malfunction or fail? is it wear and tear?
Thank you again.
Ellie

 

Sometimes the sensor end can accumulate enough debris that it can not properly "see" the tone-ring. When this happens, cleaning the sensor usually gets it working again.

Sometimes the sensor gets damaged if it isn't pulled out of the way during an axle swap.

Sometimes the harness gets bent and flexed as the suspension moves so many times over years of use that it fails. Your trouble code point to this as the likely problem.

The folks at volkscafe should know what your car needs based off that code. (00283 - ABS Wheel Speed Sensor - front left (G47) 30-10 - open or short to plus - intermittent) The sensor and harness is a single part. https://www.ecstuning.com/b-vemo-pa...s/front-abs-sensor-priced-each/8d0927803d~vmo/?gclid=CMHdlPr7r9ACFUkvgQodO0cKtg

 

Thank you so much Steve, taking my car to Volkscafe next week!
I am so grateful to have found Passatworld with you many highly knowledgeable VW owners, thanks so much everyone!
Ellie

 

Hi All:

Taking my car to Volkscafe on Wednesday to get the left front ABS Wheel Speed Sensor replaced. They said sometimes even the replacement will not prevent the ABS light from coming on again. They said people have done that and the light still comes on and I may have to take my car to a dealership. Have you seen that happen? I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the replacement will fix it. I absolutely do not want to take my car to any dealership. I no longer trust them.

Ellie

 

Hi Everyone: It's me again, asking for your advice .

So far, I've spent $375.00 getting the ABS sensor replaced, code cleared, etc., but the ABS light continues to come back on intermittently. The first mechanic shop changed the sensor and after the light came back on, I took it to a different mechanic shop, they said the wiring was done wrong and they were twisted. They rewired it and cleaned it, but said that during re-routing the wire they saw the end of the sensor appears to be getting nicked maybe to incorrect sensor or wheel bearing problem. They recommended to replace the sensor with a genuine VW sensor as the current one is an OEM.

My brakes works just fine and actually, the ABS light came on right after I changed my front brakes. Not sure if that was just a coincidence or they are some how related. What do you think?

Also, do you think I should replace the OEM sensor with a VW genuine sensor?

Any advice you provide, as always, I greatly appreciate it.

Thank you in advance.

Ellie

 

For $375, you could have had a genuine VW sensor installed at a genuine VW dealer. In order: It's nearly impossible to do the wiring wrong; if the first shop mis-routed the cable and damaged it, they should have fixed it. If the sensor is getting nicked, it might be the wrong part, but has nothing to do with the wheel bearing. I flinch every time I see "OEM" because apparently people think it means something it doesn't. An Original Equipment Manufacturer part should be identical to a VW part, as the acronym means it was made by the same company that makes them for VW. However, it's so misused as to be meaningless. If you got your sensor from a shoddy supplier (what brand and vendor?) it may indeed be bad. A Genuine VW part is rarely necessary - the sensor isn't rocket science - but a good part is.

It's common to damage the ABS sensor while working on the brakes or (as noted) axles. If it came on right after, you should have brought it to their attention, not paid someone else to fix it.

 

Thank you Scotts13. Your response makes total sense. I stopped taking my car to the dealerships in Santa Cruz and San jose, b/c they both messed up my car after they changed my heater core. I took my car to Volks Cafe in Santa Cruz to get my front brakes changed and that's when the ABS light came on while I drove away from their shop. I went back there and they said I should change the ABS sensor, so I did and the light still came on after I drove away. I went back there again and they said my car is getting old and as a result these kinds of things happen. I was so frustrated with them and in an effort to get it just fixed and save myself more stress I took it to Nate Smith's Optimal Auto Care, which specializes in VW repair/service. They said "sensor harness is not routed properly and the wiring is bent sharply." So, they rerouted the sensor properly and said that during the routing they noticed the end of the sensor appears to be getting nicked.

So, at this juncture, it is best that I replace the sensor (it is possible that Volks Cafe may not have installed the sensor correctly) and see if the light situation gets fixed as I can't think of any options. The ABS light coming on and going off is driving me nuts .

Thank you so much again for your help. I greatly appreciate it.

Ellie

 

Given the diagnostic code you originally received, it was nearly certain the sensor or its wiring were at fault. Please note that "wiring" includes not only the cable attached to the sensor, but the rest of the run to the computer. But, months later, you may have other trouble - including the ABS module previously mentioned. At this point, you're back where you started - you need to get it scanned for trouble codes, and have a competent shop take action based on the diagnostic. I would not simply tell someone "replace the front left sensor".

 

Thank you Scott and I hear you. Believe me, I've done so much research on line to find a good VW service/repair shop and both Volks Cafe and Nate Smith's had ton of good reviews. Honestly, I don't know what else I can do considering that I don't trust any dealerships. I'll take back my car to Nate Smith's shop tell them what you have recommended (I already told them that I'm a member of Passat Forum and will check in with you guys before I do anything else.) and ask them to do what you have suggested. Again, I greatly appreciate all of your help and will provide updates afterward.
Ellie

 

Hi Scott and Everyone: First of all I greatly appreciate your help and I sincerely apologize in advance for being a pain.

Update on the ABS sensor: Nate Smith VW repair shop said that I'll need to replace front left ABS Wheel Speed Sensor part #8D927903D ($125.00) and with labor cost comes to $250.00. This is based on their original scan result (please see images attached, the 1st 2 images). Should I have them to scan the code again before replacing the ABS Wheel Speed Sensor? I am not sure what Volks Cafe had replaced, because in their paperwork it just says front left ABS sensor and no part number, but the part cost was $49.95. I also have attached their scan result (its the last image), which is different from Nat's auto shop scan result.

Is there a difference between ABS sensor and the ABS Wheel Speed Sensor or are they the same thing?

Thank you again for your help.
Ellie

 

Update on the ABS sensor: Nate Smith VW repair shop said that I'll need to replace front left ABS Wheel Speed Sensor part #8D927903D ($125.00) and with labor cost comes to $250.00. This is based on their original scan result (please see images attached, the 1st 2 images). Should I have them to scan the code again before replacing the ABS Wheel Speed Sensor?
Thank you again for your help.
Ellie

The first 2 images don't show any codes; the first is an ABS scan header and the second is his report,
both are cut off just above where the codes start.

As the sensor was replaced last November, treat this as a new issue.
You should get the ABS module scanned again and post the codes before making any diagnostic decisions.

I am not sure what Volks Cafe had replaced, because in their paperwork it just says front left ABS sensor and no part number, but the part cost was $49.95. I also have attached their scan result (its the last image), which is different from Nat's auto shop scan result.

If they said that they replaced the front left ABS sensor, I would expect that is what they replaced.
The 3rd image is just an engine scan showing 2 engine fault codes. This should be fixed before it kills the cat.

Is there a difference between ABS sensor and the ABS Wheel Speed Sensor or are they the same thing?

They are the same part.

 

Thank you Tom VW. I greatly appreciate your help.
Here is what I found on the Nate's auto invoice. Please take a look and let me know if this explains the code. Otherwise, I can call them tomorrow morning to get it.

So, if the ABS sensor and the ABS wheel sensor are both the same thing, why such a huge price difference. Volks Cafe ABS sensor was $49.95 and Nate's auto shop is $125.00. And how long does it take to change the ABS sensor? Because the labor cost is $125.0 for one hour and half, which Nate's auto shop quoted.
Google search for ABS sensor left front for Passat 2003 prices vary a lot: it goes from $22.95 - $120.00. Please see on this page:
03 2003 Volkswagen Passat ABS Speed Sensor - Brake - Beck Arnley, Bosch, Delphi, Dorman, Meyle, Standard Motor Products, Vaico, Vemo, Front, Front Left, Front Right, Rear, Rear Left, Rear Right - PartsGeek
Which is the right sensor?

Thank you again for your help. I am super grateful to you guys on Passat Forum.
Ellie

 

One last thing. I changed my front brake in November and the ABS light came on after I left Volks Cafe (would it be possible that Volks cafe did not install my front brakes correctly and the ABS sensor is malfunctioning as a result?). I went back there and they said I need to change the ABS left sensor per their scan, so I did, but the light kept coming back on intermittently. I took my car there again, they tried to adjust the ABS sensor, cleared the code, but the light came back on again. I just did not want to deal with them again, so after ton of research and reading reviews, I took my car to Nate's auto, it was them who said ABS sensor was not installed correctly and it was nicked. I will get a scan first to determine what's going before I do anything.
Sorry everyone for boring you about all the drama with the lovely ABS sensor.

 

I think your correct part number for the sensor is 8D0927803D. If you get the "official" VW part, it could run you over $200. Most people will go with a more competitive aftermarket, like this: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-mtc-parts/front-abs-sensor-priced-each/8d0927803d~mtc/

The book time for one sensor is 1/2 hour, but shops don't always play by the book.

 

Thank you so much Hirnbeiss. Appreciate your help.

 

Here's a Santa Cruz recommendation. Doc Auto on Ocean Street has cared for my '01 V6 Passat since about 2006. They're competent, personable, and when things go sideways - they do that, in life - they make it right. I'm a satisfied customer.

 

Thanks so much dbrick, I'll check them out.

 

About the "nicked" sensor. It is easy to push it in too far where it will make contact with the tone ring on the axle. Sounds like they just shoved it in there. At any rate, it is a simple sensor. The one I used in my former 1999 B5 was only $12. Worked perfectly. OEM fit and finish. Now, it is a crap shoot with low cost parts, but me being a home mechanic, I can certainly take that risk. Only costs relative pennies and a few minutes of my time.
https://www.amazon.com/YourRadiator.../B01B5BHIKC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1489834744&sr=8-1&keywords=passat+abs+sensor

Better than I can describe:
"The pole pin inside a coil is connected to a permanent magnet and the magnetic field extends to the pulse wheel (tone ring on axle). The rotational movement of the pulse wheel and the associated alternation of teeth and gaps effects a change in the magnetic flux through the pulse wheel and the coil. The changing magnetic field induces an alternating voltage in the coil that can be measured."

Locating the sensor too close, too far away, or nicking the outer case of it can affect the voltage created by the sensor that the ABS computer is measuring.

This is one of those jobs that can be done by just about anyone that can remove a wheel, IMO. It is nothing more than removing the wheel, unplugging connectors, pulling the sensor out, and reinstalling; routing the wiring as it was from the factory. For that cheap of a part and low risk of danger from poor installation (provided the tire/wheel is reinstalled correctly), you can burn through a couple sensors and learn at the same time for cheap.

I am all for using OEM/OE Supplier parts on these cars, but this doesn't have to be one of them if you can install yourself.