My car had gotten side swiped last winter and I dropped it off at a local body shop to get it repaired. When I picked it up the ABS warning light was on. I went back to the body shop and they said if a mechanic can prove that it is related to the work I just had done my insurance will cover it, if not I am on my own.

It all seems kind of shady. Can anyone think of a reason the two could be tied in together?

Also is it safe to drive the car?

Thanks in advance for any input.

How about more info on the shop? Do the techs wear uniforms? Do they have a large spray booth? Did you get a multi-page printout of parts and labor?

How did you pick it?

Did your insurance company recommend it?

Check with the Better business bureau for complaints.

Have a really good body shop check the repairs. Perhaps your insurance company can help you choose one. Regardless of the ABS light, was the repair done correctly?

I think that if the light was caused by the accident, you would have seen it right after the accident.

By the way - why should your insurance pay for it? - if they caused the problem, they should pay for it.

As Judge Judy demands - you need an expert opinion in writing to be successful in getting the correct person to pay for his mistake.

In regards to your questions James:

No I didn't get a multi page printout, only the original estimate page from the insurance company. I didn't even think to check that since I was in a rush but checked it after reading your response. The car itself looks good so no complaints there.

Yes they were on the recommended list given to me by my insurance company and they have high ratings with the BBB.

No, they don't wear uniforms or gloves.

I picked up the car myself and as soon as I made the first turn away from the shop the ABS warning message came on so I drove right back to the shop. He had me follow him to a garage he uses (the one I felt was a bit shady) and he put the device on to get the code but said it wasn't decisive and to bring it back another day. He did lean towards the idea that it was the ABS motor...never mentioned the word sensor. I am bringing it in tomorrow to Good Year (only because I have a credit card there and I am short on cash or regular credit cards right now)to get their take on it.

I don't think it was caused by the accident since that happened in the winter time and the light just came on Monday when I picked up the car.

The auto body shop said that the insurance would cover it if it was a result of something being damaged during the repairs. I never heard of that, only going by what they told me.

Thank you for your input and I will post once I learn more.

Good Year just called and it was just the faulty fuse that runs the pump. They checked the fuses at the other garage but said they were fine. I should have checked them myself but it was over 100 degrees out and so I took their word. So glad it was something minor and I can pick the car up after work.

Thank you all for your input!!!

Yes, you can drive the car. ABS keeps the wheels from locking up, so be careful when the pavement is slippery. If you have traction control, ABS also feeds that system so that wheels don't slip when giving it too much gas.

The ABS module is behind the driver's side fender, close to the dash. There is a wheel sensor on each wheel which can get knocked out of alignment. Don't think a side swipe will do anything unless the wheel was hit pretty hard.

Unfortunately, most scanners do not read the codes for the ABS. Call some Volvo shops and see if they will scan the car. Dealers typically charge and hour's worth of labor ($140 in the Twin Cities).

Stonybrook just bought a scanner that might work:
https://www.brickboard.com/AWD/volvo/1618117/V70-XC70/scanner_tool_srs_light.html

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My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat

First I want to thank you for all the information.
As I wrote this message came on after I picked up the car at the auto body shop.
Is it possible that it could have been damaged while they were working on the car?
I brought it to a local mechanic who put checked the car by computer and it was unclear on the reading. He is the one who said it might be the motor that runs the ABS system(?)
He also checked the fuses.
Since it is safe to drive I will get it in to a Volvo shop on my next day off and see what they have to say.
I just feel that the timing of it all is suspicious since it was fine when I dropped it off and now it's not when I picked it up?

I don't think I have EVER seen an ABS pump fail. The wheel sensors are behind the brake rotors, so they should be protected from accidental hits. The mechanic did good checking the fuses.

A dealer can give you the exact problem code. Tell them to write down any codes they find.
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My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat