Dispute with Garage

[Terah]

Just had the Ka in for it's MOT and they came back with a spring and wheel bearing needing done. I say fine, so they do the work and then tell me the ABS light came on when they went out to test drive after the repairs, can I leave it with them to find out what's the problem.

I don't hear back from them for a day or so and when I chase it the guy says they've ordered up a new ABS sensor cable which they are about to try out. I point out that I've not authorised this work, and that the problem has only occurred since they carried out the other repairs. The guy gives me the story that it's just wear and tear, that it's just bad timing that it's happened while they have it, and that they weren't anywhere near the ABS when they were doing the other work.

Now I'm not particularly mechanically gifted, but is the ABS sensor really that far away from the springs and bearings? Is it more likely that they have damaged something while they were doing the work, or that the problem happened to occur just at the point they had it? Also, what's the general position when things like this happen in the garage?

[yorkie_chris]

The ABS sensor is attached to the suspension knuckle. The wheel bearing is in the middle of this.
The knuckle is either attached to... or is part of... the strut/leg that the spring is fitted around.

Ask for the old cable and check for signs of damage. If there is obvious cutting/signs of being "oopsied" between the leg and a cracking bar or something there you go. If not it's still possible they've pulled on the wire and that's knacked it.

[Bibio]

the abs sensors are on the hubs and often get burgerd taking bearing out. part'n'parcel of the job i'm afraid.aftermarket front ones are about £20 and the rear are £50 as the rear is a split cable with 2 sensors going into 1 connector. another common cause are the rings.

could just be a fuse though as the sensors are pretty tough things.

[NTECUK]

It should have been explained to you better.
Then you would have been in a better position when you authorised the original work.
.

[-Ralph-]

They probably knackered the sensor, but that's not necessarily anything they've done wrong, just one of those things. I don't know how many times I've been working on a car or bike and either you break something getting it loose, or just find something else is knackered once you get in there, or simply put it back together and something electronic that was working fine is now knackered, perhaps because it had a slightly loose connection already and you've disturbed it.

Pain in the rssss when working on your own vehicles, as it can mean it's then immobilised until you get the replacement part, and it always seems to happen to me at 5 to 4 on a Sunday afternoon, just as Halfrauds is closing.

[phil24_7]

I'm with Yorkie on this. If they'd said we broke it getting to x, y and z then they may have a leg to stand on. They have said it is just sods law so presumably the sensor will be fine with no signs of damage. If so, pay up, simples!

[tactcom7]

Just remembered the ex had a KA that had the ABS light come on after it had been MOT'd, of course the garage denied all responsibility.

[Specialone]

Abs sensors are notorious for getting crudded up, a lot can be saved by taking them off, cleaning up and refitting.

[NTECUK]

Abs sensors are notorious for getting crudded up, a lot can be saved by taking them off, cleaning up and refitting.

Some are impossible to get out{T30} rust in like bar stewards