Rover 75 2000 CDT broken speedo, tachometer, ABS light

trefonix · 20th December 2019, 19:25

Hi all,

Just bought a nice Cowley Rover 75 however it's got a few issues that I need to sort out, and I hoped I could find some clues to where to look to start fixing them here.

When I bought the car, the tachometer didn't work initially. When I got it home and inspected the engine bay, I noticed that the fuel burning heater was unplugged. I plugged it back in, and then the speedo stopped working, and an ABS light came on the dashboard. After unplugging again, these issues persist. Reading up on these issues, I hear that there are some electrical issues that cause such things.

Where should I start to go about fixing them?

spyder · 20th December 2019, 19:33

Disconnect the battery for 20 minutes for a start.

Rogue · 20th December 2019, 19:52

Good to see another old timer being saved

... Speedo and ABS issues would likely be an issue with the offside front wheel abs sensor. Always worth checking that the plenums are clear next to the pollen filter as thats where the ECU lives and they don't like getting wet. I'm sure there will be more knowledgable people along soon enough though.

trefonix · 20th December 2019, 20:02

I'd like to say thanks in advance for any and all help, I really appreciate it.

I've just turned 18 and been driving for nearly a year. I bought the Rover because I wanted something more interesting than my current car and was shocked at how inexpensive the insurance was for a 75, it works out cheaper than a VW Golf!

Rest assured that I'll treat this car with all the respect it deserves. Fascinating part of motoring history.

BigRuss · 20th December 2019, 20:14

As above check that the plenum is dry and your ECU hasn't been flooded. That wouldn't account for the lack of Speedo though

If it's wet then try and dry it by removing it and putting it somewhere warm.

Is the coolant temperature guage working and the heated rear screen?

If they aren't then the Can-bus controller in the ECU has failed, they're not repairable I'm afraid and the only solution is a replacement ECU.

If needed I can supply a plug and play replacement by transferring the data from your old one

Best to leave the FBH unplugged as it sounds as if the PCB has gone faulty.

Russ

Rick-sta · 20th December 2019, 22:10

Speedometer not working and the abs light being on is usually a sign the front offside abs sensor.isnt working. Either the sensor or the ring on the wheel bearing.

trefonix · 27th December 2019, 15:33

Just come back from holiday ready to take a fresh crack at it.

What I don't understand if the ECU is bad is why it was working fine until the fuel burning heater was plugged in? It was the precise moment it was plugged in that the speedo stopped working and the ABS light came on. Looking on eBay, you can buy 'kits' which contain the immobiliser, ECU and a transponder which claim to be 'plug and play' with no programming required. What's the deal with those?

suzublu · 27th December 2019, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by trefonix

Just come back from holiday ready to take a fresh crack at it.

What I don't understand if the ECU is bad is why it was working fine until the fuel burning heater was plugged in? It was the precise moment it was plugged in that the speedo stopped working and the ABS light came on. Looking on eBay, you can buy 'kits' which contain the immobiliser, ECU and a transponder which claim to be 'plug and play' with no programming required. What's the deal with those?

Do you have a barge pole?
You cannot "plug & play" stuff like that to our cars without a T4 and competent operator

trefonix · 27th December 2019, 16:22

Since the last post I've become aware of the TOAF software, seems worth a shot to find the error code. I've got an OBD cable which I can modify for the purpose. Does anybody have any experience with TOAF?

BigRuss · 27th December 2019, 16:26

Yes, you can fit one of these plug and play ECU sets it might get things working again but it most certainly will NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD- up your cars configuration data and some things that worked before may no longer work due to the differing configuration.

It also means if you need any further ECU's (there's quite a few on a 75/ZT ) they won't be able to be changed and configured or any settings changed due to the mismatched VIN numbers.

Using these sets might seem like a cheaper solution, which might be fine if the car is a banger but If the car is a decent one then the only way to do it is to do it properly.

I come across cars that have had these sets fitted and I can assure you it costs far more to put things right in order to repair things that occur later than it would have done to do it properly in the first place!

Russ

20th December 2019, 19:25	#1
trefonix Newbie Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Devon Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 10 Times in 6 Posts	Rover 75 2000 CDT broken speedo, tachometer, ABS light Hi all, Just bought a nice Cowley Rover 75 however it's got a few issues that I need to sort out, and I hoped I could find some clues to where to look to start fixing them here. When I bought the car, the tachometer didn't work initially. When I got it home and inspected the engine bay, I noticed that the fuel burning heater was unplugged. I plugged it back in, and then the speedo stopped working, and an ABS light came on the dashboard. After unplugging again, these issues persist. Reading up on these issues, I hear that there are some electrical issues that cause such things. Where should I start to go about fixing them?

20th December 2019, 19:33	#2
spyder This is my second home 75 CDT Auto Tourer , Rover 45 , Astra, Zaffira, Chev Captiva Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Wilts Posts: 3,342 Thanks: 203 Thanked 436 Times in 360 Posts	Disconnect the battery for 20 minutes for a start. __________________ Chrome skull caps, EGR cleaned (original housing), Mondeo lower mounting, 12V outlets in the armrest and tourer boot, cat fixed, working FBH, Lidl plenum covers, DD with reverse camera.New speakesr/Tweeters with MDF rings. wood dash, Memory leather seats, wooden finished steering and handbrake, Xenon headlights.

20th December 2019, 19:52	#3
Rogue I really should get out more....... 75 CDT SE 160 Saloon Join Date: May 2017 Location: Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich Posts: 2,651 Thanks: 1,386 Thanked 1,096 Times in 774 Posts	Good to see another old timer being saved ... Speedo and ABS issues would likely be an issue with the offside front wheel abs sensor. Always worth checking that the plenums are clear next to the pollen filter as thats where the ECU lives and they don't like getting wet. I'm sure there will be more knowledgable people along soon enough though. __________________ Glutton for punishment --- Previously ... 2.6 SD1 x 2, 3.5 SD1, 820S, 820Si x2, 216 Gsi, 220T saloon, 414, 45 1.4 x2 and now a Cowley 75 CDT

20th December 2019, 20:14	#5
BigRuss Premium Trader 75 CDT Tourer,2.5 Launch Saloon, Omipro MG/Rover (T4) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Liversedge, West Yorkshire Posts: 5,405 Thanks: 1,105 Thanked 1,340 Times in 661 Posts	As above check that the plenum is dry and your ECU hasn't been flooded. That wouldn't account for the lack of Speedo though If it's wet then try and dry it by removing it and putting it somewhere warm. Is the coolant temperature guage working and the heated rear screen? If they aren't then the Can-bus controller in the ECU has failed, they're not repairable I'm afraid and the only solution is a replacement ECU. If needed I can supply a plug and play replacement by transferring the data from your old one Best to leave the FBH unplugged as it sounds as if the PCB has gone faulty. Russ __________________ Replacement Key Service http://https://the75andztclub.co.uk/...d.php?t=244732 Full T4 Testbook diagnostics available. Diesel ECU repair and replacement. Options enabled or disabled as required. Diesel X-Power 135 and 160bhp, Rover 1.8T 150 to 160 MG 160 V6 to 177 upgrades available P.M. for details.

20th December 2019, 22:10	#6
Rick-sta This is my second home MG ZT 2.0 CDTI+ in Typhoon, MG TF 135 in Typhoon & Rover 75 Connoisseur CDTI SE in Pearl Black Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Norfolk Posts: 7,534 Thanks: 2,718 Thanked 2,827 Times in 1,462 Posts	Speedometer not working and the abs light being on is usually a sign the front offside abs sensor.isnt working. Either the sensor or the ring on the wheel bearing. __________________ How to retrofit Cruise Control on a diesel with no OEM wiring in place: Link How to retrofit heated electric memory seats with no OEM wiring in place: Link How to operate FBH and ATC via text Link How to restore cloudy projector headlights Link

20th December 2019, 20:02	#4
trefonix Newbie Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Devon Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 10 Times in 6 Posts	I'd like to say thanks in advance for any and all help, I really appreciate it. I've just turned 18 and been driving for nearly a year. I bought the Rover because I wanted something more interesting than my current car and was shocked at how inexpensive the insurance was for a 75, it works out cheaper than a VW Golf! Rest assured that I'll treat this car with all the respect it deserves. Fascinating part of motoring history.

27th December 2019, 15:33	#7
trefonix Newbie Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Devon Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 10 Times in 6 Posts	Just come back from holiday ready to take a fresh crack at it. What I don't understand if the ECU is bad is why it was working fine until the fuel burning heater was plugged in? It was the precise moment it was plugged in that the speedo stopped working and the ABS light came on. Looking on eBay, you can buy 'kits' which contain the immobiliser, ECU and a transponder which claim to be 'plug and play' with no programming required. What's the deal with those?

27th December 2019, 16:22	#9
trefonix Newbie Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Devon Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 10 Times in 6 Posts	Since the last post I've become aware of the TOAF software, seems worth a shot to find the error code. I've got an OBD cable which I can modify for the purpose. Does anybody have any experience with TOAF?

27th December 2019, 16:26	#10
BigRuss Premium Trader 75 CDT Tourer,2.5 Launch Saloon, Omipro MG/Rover (T4) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Liversedge, West Yorkshire Posts: 5,405 Thanks: 1,105 Thanked 1,340 Times in 661 Posts	Yes, you can fit one of these plug and play ECU sets it might get things working again but it most certainly will NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD- up your cars configuration data and some things that worked before may no longer work due to the differing configuration. It also means if you need any further ECU's (there's quite a few on a 75/ZT ) they won't be able to be changed and configured or any settings changed due to the mismatched VIN numbers. Using these sets might seem like a cheaper solution, which might be fine if the car is a banger but If the car is a decent one then the only way to do it is to do it properly. I come across cars that have had these sets fitted and I can assure you it costs far more to put things right in order to repair things that occur later than it would have done to do it properly in the first place! Russ __________________ Replacement Key Service http://https://the75andztclub.co.uk/...d.php?t=244732 Full T4 Testbook diagnostics available. Diesel ECU repair and replacement. Options enabled or disabled as required. Diesel X-Power 135 and 160bhp, Rover 1.8T 150 to 160 MG 160 V6 to 177 upgrades available P.M. for details.