V6 Calibra
ABS System

The Antilock Braking System (ABS) helps to prevent wheel lock during full braking. This ensures that the vehicle can still be steered and moved out of the way of unexpected obstacles. When the ABS system is engaged you may feel a strong juddering sensation through the brake pedal.

The Calibra ABS employs a wheel speed sensor, on each wheel, aligned to monitor a toothed cog wheel mounted on the wheel hub. The sensors detect the motion of the cog teeth as they pass under the sensor head. The number of teeth on the cog wheel is important as the system is calibrated to expect the correct number per wheel rotation. The sensor head distance from the tooth face is also important this should be no more than 5 mm.

The V6 Calibra Traction Control system is linked to the ABS. The values of the front wheel speed sensors are shared with the Traction Control ECU.

All V6 Calibras used the combined under bonnet Bosch 2EH system. However,  A slightly modified version of the 2EH system was used on late V6's. This version used stronger, more reliable magnetic hydraulic valves inside the main ABS unit (Generation 5).

 

 

Paperclip Test for Fault Codes:


ALDL Diagnostic plug in engine
 bay by alarm horn at the back

1 - Short out pins A and K in the engine bay diagnostic socket
2 - start the engine
3 - observe the ABS warning light on the dashboard instrument cluster
4 - read ABS light flashes like Morse code to decipher the fault code

 
V6 Calibra ABS Fault Code Table

Code: Item: Fault:
12 Initiation of diagnosis. n/a
16 LH Front Solenoid Check Relay & Connections
17 RH Front Solenoid Check Relay & Connections
18 Rear Solenoids Check Relay & Connections
19 Solenoids Relay Circuits Check operation of relays
25 Faulty Sensor toothed Ring Check condition of the teeth on crown wheel/toothed ring.
35 Pump Relay Circuits n/a
37 Stop Lamp Switch Check Pedal Switch and Lamp
39 LH Front Speed Sensor Check Air Gap & Operation
41 LH Front Speed Sensor Check Resistance & Connections
42 RH Front Speed Sensor Check Air Gap & Operation
43 RH Front Speed Sensor Check Resistance & Connections
44 LH Rear Speed Sensor Check Air Gap & Operation
45 LH Rear Speed Sensor Check Resistance & Connections
46 RH Rear Speed Sensor Check Air Gap & Operation
47 RH Rear Speed Sensor Check Resistance & Connections
48 System Voltage High/Low Check Alternator & Battery
55 Faulty ABS ECU Check connections and power

 

Common ABS Faults
 
 

 

 

 

 

Wheel speed sensor faults
  • Check cable between sensor and loom plug. This is prone to suffering internal breaks. Results in intermittent ABS fault light.
  • Check condition of toothed cog wheel. Check for mud and dirt, clean as necessary. Check for broken teeth. Check for cracked cog wheel.
  • Check sensor gap is < 5 mm
  • Check and clean contacts in sensor plug to the loom.


rear ABS cog wheel

Calibra's with electronic speedos may experience erratic speedo behaviour when there is a fault with the front wheel speed sensors.
You may also get the Traction Control system activating and deactivating when you have an intermittent ABS fault relating to either front wheel speed sensor.


ABS Wheel Speed Sensor

If you need to replace an ABS wheel speed sensor then be very careful removing the sensor from the plastic bracket. The mounting bolt is prone to seize and the bracket can easily break when trying to undo the bolt.

 
All Other ABS Faults  
  • Check and clean the main plug to the ABS ECU.
  • Open black plastic cover on ABS assembly and check condition of internal wiring and relays.
 
# The operation of the ABS solenoid valves can be tested with a Vauxhall/Opel/GM Tech1 handheld scanner. The Tech1 allows you to initiate a test on each of the four solenoid valves and indicates a pass or fail.

 


 

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