Anti-lock braking system

ABS/SAS recalibration

If you replace your clockspring and/or ABS module, you will have to do an ABS/SAS recalibration.

Before getting started, make sure your alignment is correct, the car tracks straight and all the ABS components are in good working order/condition. if you can't connect to the ABS controller to read faults standing still, your module is bad (and over 20 mph the ABS will cut connection with VAG-COM), so the following will not work.

You may seem something like:

00778 - Steering Angle Sensor (G85)
66-10 - Not Matched - Intermittent
01044 - Control Module Incorrectly Coded
35-00 - -

This means the ABS controller needs to be recoded. You have to do this before calibrating the clock spring; it seems that every time a component is removed, the ABS coding is set back to all 0s.

Recoding the ABS module

Using VAG-COM:

1. Goto 03 -Brakes/ABS
2. Pick (left middle)
3. Login 11 - 09495 - DO IT
4. Recode - Coding:04395 AND Workshop Code - 06435- DO IT.

The code 09495 is for a B5, S4 manual trans, HP2 brakes. Note: Other cars need different codes! See page 20 of this document: http://vwforum.vwforum.ro/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=128417

Calibrating the steering angle sensor

Before starting, make sure that now the ABS controller window in VAG doesn't list all zeros for SOFT: 00000 coding and SHOP#: WSC 00000. If it does, recode the ABS module again, clear all the codes in the ABS, get out of it (close controller) and get back in it. Now the ABS Controller window should read SOFT CODING 04395 and SHOP# WSC 06435

1. Key on, start the car move the steering wheel 10° right then left (about ½ turn each way is more than enough) then set the steering wheel straight as it would be if driven in straight line
2. Start driving for about 50 feet under 20 mph with the steering wheel in that straight position and keep it that way w/o moving it (this is all it took me to get this done, others said they had to drive a longer distance - honestly I don't think it's even needed).

Now, begin clock spring calibration:

1. [Login - 11]
2. Enter 40168
3. [Do It!]

Now check what's in measuring block 001:

1. [Basic Settings - 04]
2. Group 001
3. [Go!]

It should say that the clock spring is calibrated and ok, and NO error messages. If you have error messages, you have start again (engine off, engine on, steer left/right, etc.)

Check fault codes and you'll see this:

01486 - System function test activated

Now it's time to carry on the test, I had to do this a couple times to get all the lights off the dash. ABS light was last. I basically needed to take the car for a drive around, make a few turns, hit the brakes, come to a stop, and eventually all went away never to come back.