Chris French
New Member
- Posts
- 1
- Location
- High Wycombe
Hi from a Newbie based in High Wycombe.
I've been reading this forum for months trying to get to the bottom of my 'HDC! amber light on' problem. I haven't asked a question as I know this subject has been done in some detail and didn't want to get a 'do a search mate' message! In the hope it might help someone else (and to provide me with some therapy) here's the story.
After careful observation, I noticed that the HDC amber light comes on (after the abs light goes out) whenever the engine was cold. It stayed on until I switched off and restarted with a warm engine. Not really a problem you might say, but really irritating. So I decided to fix it.
I bought an icarsoft code reader, but it doesn't read the abs codes on my 2001 1.8 petrol, so that went back. So I thought I'd try to make some intelligent guesses based on the information on this forum. Over a period of a couple of months, with your help, I fitted:
- new brake position sensor
- new TPS
- used yaw sensor
- used under tray (see below)
- used HDC relay
- a used abs ecu
- new 1st gear position switch
- new terminals on the reverse switch to replace corroded
- new HDC switch on gear stick
Still the HDC! amber light came on as usual.
I was intrigued by the fact it only came on when the car was cold or moist (the car is stored outside). The under tray was to keep the engine dryer, just in case it was moisture related. I had even seen a drop of water by the HDC relay. Then I guessed the gearbox oil being warm might affect a sticky 1st gear position switch.
Then it occurred to me this morning that the throttle cable is metal, that will expand when warm and loosen. I had read that a tight cable will put the HDC light on, but mine seemed loose enough. So this morning I have further loosened the accelerator cable by about 3mm, and the light didn't come on! Fixed!
I don't know how much I've spent and I don't really want to calculate it, but if anyone wants any of the bits I've taken off for cheap, in the knowledge that they worked ok in the last few months, let me know.
2 lessons I have learned - 1. do the free things first, and 2. stop chucking parts at it and get the code read!
Thanks to everyone who has made a contribution to the forum that I've read, hopefully my story will help someone else.
I've been reading this forum for months trying to get to the bottom of my 'HDC! amber light on' problem. I haven't asked a question as I know this subject has been done in some detail and didn't want to get a 'do a search mate' message! In the hope it might help someone else (and to provide me with some therapy) here's the story.
After careful observation, I noticed that the HDC amber light comes on (after the abs light goes out) whenever the engine was cold. It stayed on until I switched off and restarted with a warm engine. Not really a problem you might say, but really irritating. So I decided to fix it.
I bought an icarsoft code reader, but it doesn't read the abs codes on my 2001 1.8 petrol, so that went back. So I thought I'd try to make some intelligent guesses based on the information on this forum. Over a period of a couple of months, with your help, I fitted:
- new brake position sensor
- new TPS
- used yaw sensor
- used under tray (see below)
- used HDC relay
- a used abs ecu
- new 1st gear position switch
- new terminals on the reverse switch to replace corroded
- new HDC switch on gear stick
Still the HDC! amber light came on as usual.
I was intrigued by the fact it only came on when the car was cold or moist (the car is stored outside). The under tray was to keep the engine dryer, just in case it was moisture related. I had even seen a drop of water by the HDC relay. Then I guessed the gearbox oil being warm might affect a sticky 1st gear position switch.
Then it occurred to me this morning that the throttle cable is metal, that will expand when warm and loosen. I had read that a tight cable will put the HDC light on, but mine seemed loose enough. So this morning I have further loosened the accelerator cable by about 3mm, and the light didn't come on! Fixed!
I don't know how much I've spent and I don't really want to calculate it, but if anyone wants any of the bits I've taken off for cheap, in the knowledge that they worked ok in the last few months, let me know.
2 lessons I have learned - 1. do the free things first, and 2. stop chucking parts at it and get the code read!
Thanks to everyone who has made a contribution to the forum that I've read, hopefully my story will help someone else.
