ABS Volkswagen Polo
The antilock braking system (ABS) is an electronic assistant, which is installed in almost all modern cars. The essence of the system is that it prevents the wheels from locking during hard braking and at the same time distributes the braking force. Anti-lock braking system allows:
- Safely perform maneuvers;
- Prevent the vehicle from skidding;
- Effectively slow the car when the brake pedal is pressed all the way down.
ABS System Design
One of the most popular budget cars – Volkswagen Polo sedan is equipped with ABS unit, which works on a hydraulic module. This allows for greater comfort and safety while driving, as well as greatly simplified the device, which is completed with the following components:
- Wheel speed sensors;
- Relay of the main brake mechanism;
- Gyroelectronic unit.
The indicator light must light up on the dashboard after turning the key into the ignition mode, and if it goes out after a few seconds, it means that the ABS system is functioning properly.
For your information! In some Volkswagen Polo available ESP – a system of directional stability, which helps more effectively keep the stability of the car on the road during emergency braking!
In addition, the Polo’s on-board computer includes a self-diagnostic system that detects malfunctions of all electronic systems. For example, if the ABS indicator lights up on the dashboard, it may indicate a damaged wire of one of the sensors or increased wear of the tires.
See the following table for the cost of all ABS system components:
| Part Name | Item number | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| ABS Control Unit | 6RU907375B | 40 000-48 000 р. |
| ABS sensor | 6Q0927804B | 1 000 – 2 000 р. |
| ABS unit (pump) | 6RU614117C | 6 000 р. |
| ABS ring | 109482 | 500 – 1 000 р. |
| ABS unit relay | 1199205900 | 400 |
Principle of operation of ABS system
The operating principle of this system is based on the fact that the electric power steering together with the throttle sensor transmits the required information to the wheel speed sensors and the hydroelectronic module in the form of pulses. As soon as the driver turns the ignition switch on, voltage is immediately transmitted to the sensors, generating specific signals with which the ABS unit selects the optimum braking mode. It is worth noting that during braking the hydroelectronic unit is almost not involved. Stopping the car is done in the standard way: the brake systems are actuated by the brake fluid, which enters the working cylinders. If you take your foot off the brake pedal, the fluid is directed into the brake cylinder.
Emergency braking, on the other hand, is done differently. A whole system is involved: the ABS control unit transmits information about a reduction in the amount of fluid supplied to the operating cylinder, while at the same time the inlet valves are closed and the exhaust valves are opened. All this leads to a reduction in pressure in the brake system. The pressure in the service brake cylinder is then optimized and held at this level until braking is completed. If the driver stops depressing the brake pedal completely, the fluid flows into the service cylinder, causing the pressure to decrease.
Disadvantages of the ABS system
Many inexperienced drivers wonder, “Why do some drivers disable the ABS system when it is so effective?” There are four main points that cause many drivers to oppose the electronic assistant:
- During emergency braking, it is the ABS system, not the driver, that stops the car. Therefore, at what point the car will stop its movement is unknown;
- There may be delays in the operation of the electronic program when analyzing information about the condition of the road surface;
- An uneven road surface can have a bad effect on the car’s braking. If you turn the steering wheel slightly, it is very likely that the car will skid;
- Parts of the ABS system can easily be damaged by small stones, which are very common on our roads. Failure of the ABS system is guaranteed to cause stress to the driver;
- The ABS system is completely disabled if the vehicle speed is less than 10 km/h. At that speed, the driver least expects danger, but even in this situation, the wheels can lock.
How to disable ABS
In order to disable the ABS system, you only need to get to the fuse box. There are two of them in the Volkswagen Polo. The first is located in the under-hood, and there are two fuses involved in the ABS system – fuse number “4” at 10A and SA5 at 25A. In order to turn them off, you need to disconnect the terminals from them. The second fuse block is located in the passenger compartment, under the steering wheel. It is responsible for the ABS “9” number.
Disconnecting the ABS of a Volkswagen Polo sedan car
There is no more emotional nation of motorists than our drivers. A typical action of Russian motorist on the road: turn off gas and rush with a phone in his hands along the deep bumps of asphalt, cutting off other traffic participants.
Perhaps the brakes were not created for our racers: when it comes to red light, all the fervor and boundless “show-off” come to naught. Especially on the Tin Man Day.
Every motorist who has ever experienced harsh Russian winters on the road is familiar with the concept of emergency braking, skidding and “stone” brake pedal. The last two terms are a direct consequence of the first. At intensive braking all four wheels are blocked, turning the car into a useless piece of iron, rushing on a slippery surface towards “adventures”.
At driving schools, “beginners” are told about intermittent braking, which effectively slows down the car without blocking the wheels. But such technique is applied mainly in planned cases. What to do in a situation when an obstacle on the road appeared suddenly?
Most modern vehicles use a popular electronic assistant, the anti-lock braking system (ABS). It prevents the wheels from locking during emergency braking and redistributes the forces of the main braking mechanisms. The list of the main tasks of ABS includes the possibility to maneuver the driver, elimination of skidding and productive deceleration with the brake pedal pressed to the stop.
The history of ABS development has come a long way. The first thoughts about creating the system began to occur in the minds of engineers of automobile companies even before the Second World War, but they could realize the idea only in the 1960s. Masters from the German automobile concern Mercedes began to produce the first mechanical, and then contactless electromagnetic wheel sensors with good wear resistance. Later, they were “stuffed” with digital stuffing to reduce the size of devices. Modern ABS units work on the hydromodule, which greatly simplified the assembly of devices and added many opportunities to improve safety and comfort during the ride.
On the well-known in our country Kaluga “budget” sedan Volkswagen Polo installed such a control unit ABS. The list of elements that complete the system includes wheel speed sensors, relays on the main brake mechanism and hydroelectronic unit. When the ignition is turned on the dashboard also briefly lights a signal lamp. In the maximum configuration owners of Polo sedan is available option of directional stability (ESP), which provides additional support in preserving the stability of the car on the road surface at a time of heavy braking. The on-board computer also has a built-in self-diagnostic system, which analyzes malfunctions among electronic assistants.
If the tires are excessively worn or the sensor wires are frayed, the control lamp on the “dashboard” lights up, indicating a malfunction. The “brains” can also “fly”. If you diagnose them via VAG-COM, the program will show an error: “No connection with ABS unit”.
Design and shortcomings of the ABS system
In addition to interacting with the wheel sensors based on the Hall effect, the hydroelectronic module also receives information from the electric power steering and throttle sensor. As soon as you turn the ignition on the Polo sedan, voltage is instantly applied to the sensors, which generate special pulses. In accordance with these, the unit selects the appropriate braking mode.
During normal braking, the hydroelectronic unit is hardly involved in the process. There is nothing unusual here, everything happens “the old-fashioned way”: the brake fluid flows into the operating cylinder, which activates the brake mechanisms. As soon as the brake pedal is released, the fluid returns to the old way – the brake cylinder.
Emergency braking involves a whole chain of events at once: the unit gives the command to the pump to reduce the supply of brake fluid to the cylinder, while the intake valves are closed and the exhaust valve is opened – through it the “brake fluid” flows from the operating cylinder to the main cylinder. Thereby there is a decrease in pressure in the system. The pressure in the master cylinder then stabilizes and holds until braking stops. As soon as this happens, the brake fluid returns to the master cylinder and the system pressure rises.
If the antilock system is such an effective program that saves drivers from accidents and is installed on almost all modern cars, then why do some owners of the Polo sedan seek to get rid of the electronic assistant?
Since the advent of the anti-lock braking system in the world of automotive technology, motorists have been divided into two camps: those who are “for” and those who are “against” the electronic feature. If you thought ABS had no downsides, you are mistaken – and there are spots on the sun.
First, at the moment of intensive braking, the power over the car passes into the “hands” of ABS. In what place the system deigns to stop the car is a mystery. Secondly, there may be delays in triggering of the electronic program, arising with collection of information about the condition of the roadway. Loss of precious moments is inevitable. Thirdly, collision on a non-uniform road surface can negatively influence brake dynamics of a car. The slightest wrong movement of a steering wheel – and the car will go skidding. Fourthly, small stones, which are so widespread on our roads, may become the reason of ABS deactivation. In this case, driver is sure of strong stress. At last, the system is switched off completely at decrease of automobile speed below 10 km/h. At the moment, when the most terrible was left behind, and it seems nothing forebodes trouble, the wheels can block.
Thus, there is no doubt: the braking distance of the car increases with antilock system. Therefore, there are outspoken opponents of the electronic system among many motorists.
Ways to disable ABS
The easiest way to disable the hydroelectronic braking control unit on the Polo sedan is to “dig” in the fuse box. It is possible to get under a hood and check power components above the battery. There are two fuses responsible for ABS system – “fourth” for 10A and SA5 for 25A. Take off their terminals, and the electronic assistant is disconnected. Another variant is to get to “the ninth” fuse in a saloon under a steering tube. It is also responsible for ABS.
There is only one outcome after these manipulations: the lamp will be burning on the dashboard, and the diagnostic will show an error “no connection with ABS block”. To the icon of anti-locking system on the panel is not annoying during the trip, you can get under the “dashboard” and remove the warning lamp.
Some owners of the Volkswagen Polo sedan are considering as a good option the installation of a special button that will activate or, conversely, turn off the system. This is an intermediate way for those Polo owners who have not said the final “no” to the ABS function. For this purpose it is necessary to have wiring, a set of fuses and a socket under “plug”. The essence is that when the button is pressed, the saloon fuse number “9” will disconnect, interrupting communication with the hydroelectronic control unit, and when clicked again, the system will resume operation.
After connecting the control button, it is recommended to run the firmware through the diagnostic interface by connecting a special VAG cable to the connector.
There is, finally, a temporary option to disable ABS. It works only on vehicles with conventional mechanical parking brake actuator. Since the Polo sedan is equipped with a standard “handbrake”, this method can be safely applied in practice.
The principle is simple: as soon as the brake pedal has become “stiff”, it is necessary to tighten the “handbrake” to the end so that the rear wheels are blocked. ABS will switch to the emergency mode (in other words – will be switched off), and the pedal becomes controllable again. The only exception is not to experiment with the parking brake on the turns, as the skidding of the rear axle of the car in this situation will be irreversible.
Nowadays, the antilock system is a standard program in a complete set of modern cars. Perhaps in the future it will become an integral part of any vehicle. The Kaluga Polo ABS has its own undeniable advantages, connected with car stabilization and brake force distribution. But there is the flip side of the coin – a longer braking distance and the presence of small factors that deactivate the function at the most critical moment. Whether or not to disable ABS is an individual choice for each Polovid.
