Technical Frozen brakes and ABS warning

[The Oily Cart opera]

Last couple of days, car seemed difficult to get moving but ran with no problem once underway. This morning, after heavy heavy frost, car again seemed hard to get moving and wife suggested brakes were frozen. Tried pressing them and the ABS warning light came on "Contact dealer". This afternoon, 12 hours later, tried again and got message to turn off engine. Have only gone a yard or two and back to parking place all day. Perhaps hand brake is locked and has remained locked all day? Will trying to drive her free the ice, or do damage...or is it best to wait till morning and 20 minutes of haridrying on the underside? More's the point, will the ABS message go away once the brakes have thawed out?

 

[JTDman]

This sounds like the same problem my old alfa 155 suffered with, there is small rubber gromits at various points on the handbrake cable and if perished water gets in then freezes so its prob just the cables rather than the brakes themselves plus the abs light means you prob have driven with the rear wheels locked up confusing the abs system this also used to happen to the alfa when it had been on rolling road due the rears being stationary and clears when the ignition is re used.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Yup, that'll be frozen handbrake cables. Look under the car, a short distance back from the handbrake lever and you'll see the single cable from the lever becomes two, and these two should have corrugated rubber tubes over them where they go into the outer cable. I say should because they perish and fall off after a couple of years, letting water in and it runs down to the low point near the rear crossmember. In the winter, this freezes up. Preventative treatments: (1) new cables, but they'll do it again, (2) ideally before the winter arrives, squirt loads of WD40 into the cable using the 'straw' from the can (grease may work too?). (3), Don't use teh handbrake in winter! Park on the level and in gear.

Hairdrier might work, but on the cables, not the brakes. Driving won't help. That'll heat and wear the brakes but not warm/free the cable.

I forgot to do the WD40 bit this winter and have had similar probs. Now parked in gear.

I'd agree with JTD Man that the ABS warning is simply because the back wheels are locked, or at least both going round more slowly than the fronts.

Pete

 

[SPONGEBOBMAIDENPANTS]

Hi,I had the same problem today.Back wheels didn't want to move as if the handbrake was still on.So I assume this is the frozen handbrake cable as mentioned above.My wife was in a rush to get to work so after a few mins of slowly going fowards and back a few inch's at a time the back wheels seemed to ease and off she went.After reading this I am now a bit worried about brake damage because what I done couldn't have helped free the frozen cable.Hopefully it defrosted on the way to work (5 miles)and won't cause a huge brake problem.My Multi is just over two years old so would be about the correct age for the above mentioned cable problem to start causing hassle.I won't be leaving the handbrake on again over winter when parked at home.I am just praying when she gets home there won't be any take to main dealer lights on the dash:bang:

I just rang her at work and there are no warning lights and all seems well so must haave defrosted on the way to work.Keeping my finger crossed there is no future problems from this!

 

[TinyUK]

Mines suffering from frozen cables too, keep meaning to grease them, but I never remember until I get up on a frosty morning!

I intend to grease mine and then try and form a new seal with silicone.

 

[JTDman]

Just change them , it saves time and money in the long run plus if your wife is going out with partially seized brakes in icy conditions its not the best.

 

[SPONGEBOBMAIDENPANTS]

Are they covered under the warrenty??I bet not but worth asking lol

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Yes they are, if not too old. Mine were replaced at a month before three years old -- had the MoT done before warranty ran out and cables and drop links were both replaced 'for free'!

Pete

 

[chr1s]

Look under the car, a short distance back from the handbrake lever and you'll see the single cable from the lever becomes two, and these two should have corrugated rubber tubes over them where they go into the outer cable. I say should because they perish and fall off after a couple of years, letting water in and it runs down to the low point near the rear crossmember.

On the following website (see TECH FAQ section), they suggest to "Make and fit a deflector plate to prevent future damage. Use a rigid plastic 1-2mm thick, approx. 180mmx280mm and secure using the cable guide fixing bolt & cable ties."

http://www.multipla.i12.com/index.html

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Yes - seen that. Not sure that it will help though. It seems to be that the rubber gaiters perish, rather than suffer 'impact' damage. But if anyone's tried it and shown that it does work, do speak up...
Pete

 

[The Oily Cart opera]

Well thanks you guys...I did the hairdryer thing for twenty minutes or so and then tried pulling forward. At first the ABS warning still showed but within a few yards it went off as the problem was definitely solved. Drove it up and down the lane a few times to check and no problems. And to think when we phoned the AA they suggested we call out a tow truck. How much would that have been in cost and agro. (Mind you, I scratched the hairdryer, so....)

Really pleased to have used the site and to have found so many people ready and willing to offer advice. Ta muchly each and all.

 

[SPONGEBOBMAIDENPANTS]

Yes they are, if not too old. Mine were replaced at a month before three years old -- had the MoT done before warranty ran out and cables and drop links were both replaced 'for free'!

Pete

My MoT Is due in June so I think I will book it in early before the warranty ends just in case there are any faults covered under warranty:slayer:

 

[Zundapp]

Use an aerosol of motorcycle chain lube rather than WD40 to spray into the brake cables.

Firstly, WD40 can degrade rubber and many plastics and actually accelerate what you're trying to prevent, and secondly aerosol chain lube comes out of the can as thin as WD40, but quickly thickens up to a heavy grease consistency, so you get the initial penetration af the cable, and hopefully, a bit more water resistant coating.

It's good for garage door hinges as well!

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Use an aerosol of motorcycle chain lube rather than WD40 to spray into the brake cables.

Sounds just the job. I'll explore.

However, this (below) is from WD40's own website, FAQ section:

What surfaces or materials are OK to use WD-40 on?
WD-40 can be used on just about everything. It is safe for metal, rubber, wood and plastic....
(source: http://www.wd40.com/faqs/#q8)

Pete

 

[Tomee_Boy]

Not sure if this helps but I made a handbrake deflector mentioned in a previous post, it only takes half an hour to do and it really does work.

During the past week we have a temperature readings as low as -4C and our 2002 multi did not had any problems with the handbrake freeze. This little fix really does work and saves you having to change the handbrake cable every couple of years! Cheers, Tom.

 

[Zundapp]

Sounds just the job. I'll explore.

However, this (below) is from WD40's own website, FAQ section:

What surfaces or materials are OK to use WD-40 on?
WD-40 can be used on just about everything. It is safe for metal, rubber, wood and plastic....
(source: http://www.wd40.com/faqs/#q8)

Pete

WD40 certainly degrades latex based materials, so don't use it on condoms. Well not too much anyway! :devil:

I imagine it is safe as long as the rubbery stuff isn't immersed in it, but it's certainly a widely held belief that it breaks down rubber seals.

 

[markyray69]

Hi everyone
I'm new to this forum, i got same problem with my Multipla. since the sub zero conditions my back wheel has locked up and apparently when im driving out of my driveway my passenger back wheel isnt turning and the ABS warning light comes on.
After google searching and being directed to this site its comforting to know that its nothing too seriously wrong with the car.
The ABS light stays on till i get to work and is then off on journey home, am i assuming that while warning light is on the back wheel is still locked? although it doesn't feel any different driving wise.
I think i will leave the handbrake off and leave it out of gear and use blocks to keep it stationary while we got this bloody cold weather.

Ironically the Funny thing is every year we went on holiday to cornwall with the multipla, when it was time to come home the back wheels locked up when i tried to drive forward, there would be a clonking sound and it would clear itself. it turned out to be sand that the wind had blown about. so after that happened i used to throw a couple of buckets of water over the rear tyres and everything was fine.

i love the multipla but its not designed for cold weather or sand.....

 

[Plymptonian]

Good advice lube and deflector - I will try both. Brakes froze a couple of times during the last week though hairdrier did the trick after 10 mins - but I dont normally have a hair drier or yards of extension cable available when not at home. Prevention better than cure!

 

[ashley115]

Certainly a common problem on the rear drum brake models we have 51 and an 07 and it does the same for both. dont use the handbrake if you know a heavy frost is due, or after washing/jetwashing at most temperatures. Our 51 stuck really bad the other day and had to tap the rear drums and lots of quick forward then reverse stamps on the brake and ping!!!! Off she goes! The lights soon go out, job done! You soon learn that these things have a characture that the dash loves shouting at you, its bark often worse than its bite. Its always a huge relief when it shouts ICE WARNING! Thew!

 

[martbass]

Must be a fiat thing.

Iv'e had a cinquincento and a brava with the same problems.
My multi has recently suffered too.

I just had both left and right cables replaced for new, they were only £22 a side and once done its heaven!!