Viano ABS Light and Lateral Acceleration Sensor Issue

Whoa, a faulty lateral acceleration sensor on a Viano is no fun. These things are usually pretty robust. If the ABS light is on and the system is disabled, plus you're getting a fault code for the lateral sensor, then yeah, it probably is the sensor. But! Before you just replace it, a few things to check. First, are you sure the wheel alignment is spot on? Incorrect alignment can sometimes throw off the sensor readings. Second, have you checked the wiring to the sensor and the control unit? A damaged wire or a loose connector could be the culprit. Finally, does the diagnostic tool give you any more specific info about the fault code, like resistance values or voltage readings?

Thanks for the quick reply! Regarding the wheel alignment, I haven't specifically checked it recently. Is it really that sensitive? As for the wiring, I had a quick look and didn't see anything obvious, but I'll give it a more thorough check. The diagnostic tool just said 'lateral acceleration sensor fault', nothing more specific I'm afraid. Where is the control unit located? I'll check the wiring there.

Okay, so the wheel alignment can affect it, especially if it's significantly out, but if the alignment is only slightly off, it's less likely to be the primary cause. As for the control unit, it is often integrated within the ABS unit itself. Given the symptoms and the lack of detailed fault information from your tool, it does sound like the sensor or, more likely, the control unit is the problem. Unfortunately, without more sophisticated diagnostics, you are limited to checking the wiring harness. If you can't find any wiring issues, the next step would probably involve taking it to a workshop to have them diagnose it further. It could be that the control unit is defective, which is a known issue with these systems sometimes, and that can unfortunately lead to a 1000€ repair bill.

Thanks, that's really helpful. I'll double-check the wiring again, but it sounds like a trip to the workshop is inevitable. I feared it might be the control unit. Thanks again for the advice!