# 2000 VW Passat ABS Electric System Replacement

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-vw-passat-abs-electric-system-replacement/13647>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** passat, abs\
**Created:** [May 5, 2008, 2:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-vw-passat-abs-electric-system-replacement/13647 "2008-05-05T14:55:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jdgreger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/82dd89/32.png) [@jdgreger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jdgreger)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2008, 2:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-vw-passat-abs-electric-system-replacement/13647/1 "2008-05-05T14:55:32Z")

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Two months ago the VW dealership replaced my girlfriends brake pads for $900. This past weekend the ABS and brake warning light came on. We took it to the same VW dealership. They claim the following:  
  
  
  
 1)abs electrical system needs to be replaced = 1,005.00 (excluding tax)  
  
 2)60,000 mi. check-up = 320.00  
  
 3)brake fluid needs to be flushed = 150.00  
  
  
  
 My question, wouldn’t they have detected this problem, when replacing the brake pads two months back. Also, brake fluid, same thing, detected two months ago?  
  
  
  
 What should we do? Should I buy the ABS module myslef ($200) and have a local VW mechanic install it? Any help would be appreciated.  
  
  
  
 Justin Greger  
  
 Arlington, VA

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**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2008, 6:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-vw-passat-abs-electric-system-replacement/13647/2 "2008-05-05T18:17:21Z")

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Well if the light was not on two months ago, likely there was not a problem then for them to find.

Could you get the actural code that the light indicated? That could help a lot, someone may be able to tell you if that cost is reasonable and what exactly might be needed.

$320 for a 60,000 mile check up sounds very high to me. My 60,000 mile service on my VW cost closer to $50.00 and I did it in a couple of easy hours.

If the brake fluid is original, you are past due for a replacement, but as I recall I had VW replace my brake fluid for about $80.00 so I let them do it to avoid doing it myself.

There is no need to have VW do all this stuff. You likely would be far better off with a local independent mechanic doing the work.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jdgreger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/82dd89/32.png) [@jdgreger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jdgreger)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2008, 6:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-vw-passat-abs-electric-system-replacement/13647/3 "2008-05-05T18:27:47Z")

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It states from my mechanics fax to me. sporadic code 01203. insert electrical connection. no signal. needs abs control module replaced.