ABS stopped working after standing 4 months

[endorfin]

I've just returned from a 4 month trip to Australia and when I started my XM the ABS light came on and the warning message said ABS out of use. I looked underneath and hydraulic fluid was leaking out and the warning message was saying hydraulic pressure was low, it didn't leak fluid before I left for Australia.

I bought some more fluid and it took a litre before the floating indicator showed at correct level, I did some citrobics and low pressure warning went away but the ABS light remains on along with the ABS out of use message constantly staying on.

My girlfriend's father says he started the car a couple of times whilst I was away, including in December when the UK was gripped in freezing weather. Could this have caused any damage?

I can't see how the ABS can have just stopped working, it worked fine before with no indications of any problems. Any ideas of how to get it working again?

[Dean]

sounds like corrosion on a connection to me, running the car for short periods but not having it in daily servive will cause condensation to form under the bonnet which could start off corrosion, cant be helped really.
There are plenty of guides on here, i would start with checking the warning light on the dash, what exactly does it do when you start the car, the amount of times it flashes and when will point you to the right side of the system to start fault finding.

D

[Dieselman]

Starting the car won't have caused the problem, as Dean says it's probably a corroded or wet connector.
Did you stop the hydraulic leak or just add LHM?

[Peter.N.]

I will third that.

[jorgy]

running the car for short periods but not having it in daily servive will cause condensation to form under the bonnet D

Would leaving the bonnet a bit open (e.g. at the safety-bracket level) prevent condensation? Also, what about leaving a window or two bit open (and covering for rain water ingress obviously)?

I'm thinking of my SORN'd V6. But don't know what's best, as car seats in the open air. Would it be more, or less humid inside if it was left to "air" itself in the British weather?

Thanks
G

[Dean]

Hi George

The best way i have found is to raise the car to maximum height and put some big wooden blocks under the rear crossmember and front subframe so the car doesnt sit close to the ground, this keeps the ground dry not damp and stops condense forming under the bonnet.
Ive found with mine if i leave it unjacked and with the suspenion right down the concrete under the car stays damp much longer and there is lots of condensation on the strt tops and ecu box etc etc, not really had any problems with the inside getting damp though.

D