Newbie needs some help & advice (also ABS related)

[Mubble 0]

Hi guys,

I've joined here on behalf of a colleague of mine who owns a rather nice green, 1997 MkIII Golf VR6.

He needs some advice and I really hope you guys can help.

I'll keep this concise(-ish). Basically, a few months ago his keys were stolen from his gym locker. The result was that his car had to be taken in to have the locks and alarm changed - as his insurance would no longer insure the car without this work being done. Fair enough.

However, here's where the problem starts.

His ABS light was on permanently when he got the car back from the garage who fitted the now locks and alarm. So, he took it to a different garage (VW-related) to find out what was wrong.

They're stating that the ABS pump has been damaged or a plug has been ripped out of it (apologies, but this is where my lack of Golf knowledge comes through), rendering the ABS pump knackered.

He's been told it needs a new ABS pump, which costs £1,200.

Now, my colleague is adamant the garage who changed the alarm and locks have done something to the pump, and the VW garage did confirm the ABS is located close to the alarm components or something and could have been damaged that way (again, I have no knowledge of Golfs, so apologies). Now, obviously there's no way of proving the original garage damaged the ABS pump even though my colleague is positive they have.

With and MOT and Tax required by the end of August, he's keen to get this rectified asap and at as little cost as possible.

So, what sort of costs are involved in getting a new ABS pump fitted?

The VW garage who diagnosed the problem are claiming you shouldn't fit a second hand one. Is this true?

Any other advice would be gratefully received.

Regards

[DAZVR6 0]

On my old mk3 16v i had my abs pump replaced by Midland vw for £150 and that was a second hand unit.

2years down the line and still no problems as i still see my old car as my bro inlaw owns it.

[tim010 0]

The VW garage are talking rubbish when they say you should not fit a second hand one. I got a fully working second hand one for about £100 on my old Mark 3 GTi and you can get a reconditioned one for not much more.

I was told a new pump would have been about £400 but I'm sure they would bump the price up for a VR6 because they can. I know the Corrado ABS pump is well over a grand so wouldn't surprise me if the Golf was is the price you were quoted.

[Mubble 0]

Thanks for the advice guys. So where's the best place to get a recon or 2nd hand one from?

[DAZVR6 0]

Company called bba reman.

Google it.