Alfa 156 year 2000 - ABS warning light on

I had to remove my battery to recharge it. Now battery is fine and car is running OK, but ABS and ! warning lights are on permanently. On checking my battery connections, I found one black lead not connected, and embarassingly, I can't recall if it was connected to the negative or positive battery poles! The lead can reach both connection points. Can somebody please advise me which one (+ or -) I should connect it to. We used to have two Alfa Romeo dealers in our area that I could have quickly sorted this with, now the nearest is Chelmsford, on the busy A12. Thanks.

The 156 will have one main power lead that goes down the centre of the box that sits on the battery if I remember correctly.

There are three main bolts that stick out of a mount connected to the positive terminal, these should all be connected.

All going off my memory, from an age ago, so hopefully thats right.

Also the airbag light will go on, if one of the fuses in that box that sits on the battery has perished (you can tell by removing the fuse, and if upon touching the metal terminals on either end ...they move..... then the likelyhood is that you need a new fuse.

Originally Posted by V6Alfisti

The 156 will have one main power lead that goes down the centre of the box that sits on the battery if I remember correctly.

There are three main bolts that stick out of a mount connected to the positive terminal, these should all be connected.

All going off my memory, from an age ago, so hopefully thats right.

Also the airbag light will go on, if one of the fuses in that box that sits on the battery has perished (you can tell by removing the fuse, and if upon touching the metal terminals on either end ...they move..... then the likelyhood is that you need a new fuse.

Thanks V6Alfisti,
I have currently only got one red main cable connected to the positive terminal options in the box sitting on the top of the battery, so are you saying the smaller black wire coming from the "kerb" side of the Engine compartment, that I have not yet reconnected, should be connected to one of the spare positive bolts? This black wire looks like its coming out of brake piping, but it's difficult to confirm. Any further help much appreciated.

Originally Posted by DickM

Thanks V6Alfisti,
I have currently only got one red main cable connected to the positive terminal options in the box sitting on the top of the battery, so are you saying the smaller black wire coming from the "kerb" side of the Engine compartment, that I have not yet reconnected, should be connected to one of the spare positive bolts? This black wire looks like its coming out of brake piping, but it's difficult to confirm. Any further help much appreciated.

I wish I could remember more, but I swear on both of my 156's

There was only a single black (thick) cable that came across (from the right of the engine) and bolted down onto one of the three connectors.

Can you take a picture of yours to jog my memory

the neg lead is a singel lead by itself, on the otehr end there is a plastic cover and unde rthatn the posiitonve terminal has several wires connected, the exact number depends on the model and age of your car.

so it is either from the pos side, or it wasnt connected to the battery.

Originally Posted by V6Alfisti

I wish I could remember more, but I swear on both of my 156's

There was only a single black (thick) cable that came across (from the right of the engine) and bolted down onto one of the three connectors.

Can you take a picture of yours to jog my memory

Thanks to you and Jug for your support, but it's sorted now by doing the bleedin obvious - rung an AR dealer! BUT, my not so local dealer - AMC @ Chelmsford, would not advise me over the phone, and said I had to book it in (£'s signs started looming!, so then spoke to "a very reasonable prices" independent local car repair/service unit that I use for MOTs etc., (he's been a bit of a pro touring-car driver in his hay day) and he was pretty sure that I should connect the wire in question to the + terminal. Then confirmed it with a quick call to AR Dealer - Wilsons of Romford, who get 10 out of 10 from me, for instant accurate advice from their workshop