What does it mean?
C1190 is a Chassis (ABS, traction control, steering) fault code. It indicates: ABS Hydraulic Valve Power Relay Circuit Open . This is a standardised OBD-II code. The technical definition is the same regardless of the make or model of vehicle, although specific causes and symptoms can vary between vehicles.
Symptoms
- ABS, traction control and stability control lamps on from key-on and never extinguishing
- The ABS unit makes no self-test noise at start-up because the valves never receive power
- No ABS action in an emergency stop: the pedal stays hard and the wheels can lock
- Ordinary braking performance is unchanged, which makes the fault easy to overlook
- Hill-start assist, traction control and brake force distribution are all unavailable
Likely causes
- Open or intermittent high current fuse on the ABS power feed
- Relay coil burnt open, or relay pins not making contact in an oxidised socket
- Wire broken inside its insulation at a flex point, so it still looks perfect from the outside
- Terminal pushed back or corroded in the relay socket or the ABS module connector
- Ground path for the hydraulic unit interrupted by a loose, rusted or painted over stud
- Loom cut or pulled apart during earlier work on the suspension, cooling system or engine mounts
- Open circuit on the ABS module circuit board at the power input
How to fix it
- Meter test every ABS fuse, including the large power fuses, instead of relying on a visual check
- Read all chassis codes together; a full family of valve codes at once means the shared feed is missing
- Verify the relay is seated fully and try a known good relay of the same part number
- With the ignition on, check for voltage on both the feed and control terminals of the relay socket to see which side has failed
- Test continuity from the fuse output through to the ABS module connector in short sections to pinpoint the break
- Clean, inspect and retighten the ABS ground stud, and check the module connector for water damage and displaced pins
- Repair the open conductor or terminal; treat ABS module repair or coded replacement as the final step