Help appreciated - code 1211 abs/msr

nfm

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856
Hi, my 2005 Coupe GT (59k miles) abs/msr warning lights came on the other day (other symptoms are cruise control not working - expected; and Rev limiter cutting in at 4,750 rpm - unexpected?). Battery reset didn’t fix and also checked fuse. Went to local Alfa guy expecting to confirm sensor gone and wheel bearing needed (codes 1221 or 1222) but came up C1211 “abs indicator lamp circuit malfunction”. He turned code off and it didn’t appear on restart but came on within 50 yds.

Any insights / guidance much appreciated. Thought this was going to be a routine bearing replacement but not sure what it is now? Thanks.
 

Zep

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Your symptoms exactly match the fault I had for a wheel bearing, including the rev limit.

In my case it was a rear wheel bearing, not sure if the rev limit part indicates it is a rear wheel.
 

nfm

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856
Agree and thanks; my concern is then it should have thrown one of the W/b codes but it hasn’t. This suggests something else is causing abs to not work, which in turn then causes, not surprisingly, the same symptoms?
 

Zep

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It might be a code reader problem, or a method. The sensor fault clears on cycling the key and so might have gone away when plugged in. I’d be fairly confident of the fault, your problem is working out which wheel.
 

nfm

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856
Tks for your help Zep. I am still struggling to get past why it has then thrown 1211. When the reader was plugged in I had driven there after battery reset and both msr and abs lights were on so fault was live and dangerous at time of reading - if so why 1211 and not a W/b code? The 1211 suggests something else; loose connection / electronic ecu or such like? Perhaps I need to get to an auto electrician to test each wheel for abs output when wheel spinning as well as other main abs connections. (As Edd China did in a recent WD episode).

Hoping someone out there has had this actual code and can advise outcomes? Cheers
 

CatmanV2

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48,539
Tks for your help Zep. I am still struggling to get past why it has then thrown 1211. When the reader was plugged in I had driven there after battery reset and both msr and abs lights were on so fault was live and dangerous at time of reading - if so why 1211 and not a W/b code? The 1211 suggests something else; loose connection / electronic ecu or such like? Perhaps I need to get to an auto electrician to test each wheel for abs output when wheel spinning as well as other main abs connections. (As Edd China did in a recent WD episode).

Hoping someone out there has had this actual code and can advise outcomes? Cheers

The simplest answer is the code reader got it wrong. Occam's Razor and all that. I'm assuming it was Alfa diagnostic, not SD2 or SD3?

I believe those codes are manufacturer defined?

C
 
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nfm

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856
Tks x2

yes, was Alfa diagnostic. Perhaps MD trip needed for code read, will check out if they do that as standalone service.
 

nfm

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856
Ps, while an Alfa reader, he was able to call up Maserati Coupe on the menu - so not totally generic.
 

philw696

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25,113
It might be a code reader problem, or a method. The sensor fault clears on cycling the key and so might have gone away when plugged in. I’d be fairly confident of the fault, your problem is working out which wheel.
What you need to do is get live data and go for a drive to see what each wheel is recording for the speed and you will find the culprit.
 

nfm

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856
Tks Phil, is that something any competent auto electrician could do for me or a specialist task?
 

nfm

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856
My Alfa dealer just confirmed he used an Autel code reader, mentioned in case that means anything to anyone?

“Launch” - is that a code reader? Tks.
 

CatmanV2

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48,539
My Alfa dealer just confirmed he used an Autel code reader, mentioned in case that means anything to anyone?

“Launch” - is that a code reader? Tks.

Yes. Widely recommended. Good compatability

From memory it's the X431 pro

C
 

philw696

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25,113
Tks Phil, is that something any competent auto electrician could do for me or a specialist task?
I have the Launch X431 Pros and very easy to do and get a reading from each wheel.
Usually have one of us driving the car and the other reading the info and diagnosed very quickly.