Traction Control Won't Switch Off?

[Guest jeffthro]

I think I've mentioned. I bought my e46 328 in November last year, been absolutely chuffed to bits what a great motor she's turned out to be for what I paid, but I do now have ONE thing which is kind of niggling me a tiny bit....................I can't switch the traction control off?

I know, I know, I've mentioned it to a couple of friends, and this sort of silly grin crosses their faces and they walk away giggling, but if I've got it I ought to experience it, didn't I? You don't get settled in with a foxy chick and then take celibacy vows, do you? (Although I have with my wife.)

The strange thing is, the ABS works fine, so its not the control unit, (I guess), and simple things like fuses are A OK. One mate suggested there was some way of disconnecting it in the situation of allowing a son or daughter (or wife, lol), to drive it?

Any of you guys got any thoughts before I bite the bullet and pay £80 for a diagnostic?

[Dizgav]

1st thing do you have a (DSC) button. i guess u have lol

try and hold the DSC button for around 3-4 seconds should have a amber DSC light on the norm, and then a amber HAND BREAK light on (traction control off.,.,,)

i had alook at my frends 328 next door :D it works on his.,.,.,

hope this helps ;)

[Guest jeffthro]

Yes Gav, on mine its ASC, but its the same thing. We've tried press, press and hold, etc, etc , but don't get a light on the button or the dash at all. I've just got this feeling its completely disconnected somehow. And I've just been out for half an hour and gave the ABS a test on the way back, and it operated perfectly.

[Guest Mr.Beemer]

it could be many things for the light to stay on..

if your abs is working it could be a wheel sensor, maf throttle sensor & sometimes a steering sensor.

do a google search on these things it will give you more info'

however I would try a battery reset first - <_<

[Guest jeffthro]

No, its the opposite, Dilly, the lights are off, the traction control is on (operating), I can't switch it off so that the triangular orange warning light comes on. And the warning light on the button won't come on either, so its not a dashboard light only or anything like.

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Pull the fuse ;)

[Guest Mr.Beemer]

oh my bad, didn't read your post clearly :P

have you checked the switch itself ?

I have seen problems where the traction is off permanent but this is a rare case I am seeing'

[GBM6]

When you finally get it sorted just think about your ticker ole fella!

[Guest jeffthro]

When you finally get it sorted just think about your ticker ole fella!

:D My youngest daughter is due back from a few months in New Zealand soon, and I've promised her a track day at Thruxton in April, plus I've got a Christmas present of a BTCC taster at Rockingham to arrange too. I promise to take the blood pressure tablets with me!!!!!! :rolleyes:

[Guest jeffthro]

Sorted. I think. Took her to a friend who used to work at the BMW main dealer in Poole, now has his own garage. Plugged into fault diagnostics, 3 faults came up. Coolant temperature sensor, ASC sensor and cruise control. He guessed that all 3 were quite historic as there were no dashboard lights coming on, and when he checked, the bulbs had been removed and little blobs of blue tac put in the holders!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Checked everything he could, replaced the bulbs, did a full reset, and _at the moment_ everything now works. He's not very confident though, can't help suspecting there might be ongoing issues, so watch this space.

Btw, my suspected thermostat problem seems to have gone away with the reset too - he thinks it might turn out to be the temp sensor faulty not the thermostat? All good fun! :(

[Guest Mr.Beemer]

ahh a hidden engine light ? had us all thinking what it was -

so it was the coolant sensor .

glad you sorted it out, good things these diagnostics :D