Abs @ Engine Management @ Lights On

[billyplum]

after restarting with warm engine abs auto transmission and auto stability lights on also speedo and mpg guage and auto locking dont work . car seems to go into limp mode . petrol consumpsion very high --low 20 mpg . any help would be appricated . thanks in advance .bill

[Greydog]

1st Port of call get the codes read that will give you a better idea of what is going on. Though if it is like the X5 a low or failing battery gives all sorts of strange behavior and warning lights. Try charging the battery fully if that works you know where to look.

[billyplum]

thanks for the info . car booked in for code check tomorrow , so wii let you know what transpires . bill

[billyplum]

diagnostic check carried out -(£45.00)- flattened battery- new battery fitted - (£82 .38 ). abs / dsc and other faults still present .further investigation required . booked in for next wedensday. thats me not going to Duxford this sunday.

[Greydog]

Morning where did you take the car to have the codes read it needs Autologic or BMW software? Do you still have ABS/DSC lights on the dash or could they not clear them? If there were no faults prior to your battery failing then I would think it rare (but not impossible) for the ABS or a sensor to go at the same time.

This may sound daft try starting the car and driving slowly forward turning the steering lock to lock, turn off and restart, This works with the X5 after battery change.

[billyplum]

good afternoon . took the car to webb ellis autocenter - BMW @mini specialist here in rugby . did say that the fault may be with the ABS "pump " .? (cannot see why ABS needs a pump ? ) Tried your -Lock to Lock idea -no go but well worth trying for the effect on neighbours --- Whats that mad sod up to with that bmw now.??

[Greydog]

Thats why we have BMW's to confuse and confound others (and ourselves)

With the X5's after a battery change the control module can't see the steering angle sensor so lock to lock lets it find it. Hope it's not the ABS pump that sounds expensive.

[billyplum]

took car back to garage wed / 6 /5 for further checks . they rang saying diagnostic not giving clear reading but " expert " coming tomorrow , so left car with them . rang saying rear abs sensor u/s - new one fitted-- fault still present .! now saying abs pump has to be removed - checked - repaired -replaced . also said they would fit s/h pump if i bought one . so payed £142..16 for work so far and brought car home . 8/5 2011. abs and dsl lights on. Bill

[Greydog]

They sound a bit off !!

Are they going to work through letting you pay until the light goes out? As their abs sensor didnt do any good are they giving your money back?

My BMW experience is with X5's but the specialist I use is really on the ball. He says not impossible for the ABS pump to have gone but as it started with low battery voltage he would check the battery again (I know its new) should be 12v+ ignition off engine running around 14v he says he would also check alternator output. He thinks they should be able to test the ABS function to be positive it is the problem.

[billyplum]

yes not a happy bunny , having parted with £269..54 and still having abs and dsc lights on when cold and going into limp mode when when warm . (they did supply sensor at cost ) shall take the car elsewhere and get battery and alternator check done on monday . I still dont understand why its not in limp mode all the time ?

[billyplum]

sorry for delay . had battery/charging test done -all o.k. new fault code check carried out -abs/asc/dsc said its abs pump needs repair so car booked in next week . quoted £ 409.36 oh the joys of being a bmw owner !

[billyplum]

sorry for such a long delay in reposting . Corys Car Repairs sent abs pump away for test , it was beyond repair ,replacement pump supplied - £240 +£9 postage .with life time warranty . plug and play . 5 minutes to fit then drive away . NO LIGHTS !!!.

was able to use car while waiting , no abs ,sts, speedo ect . hope my experience helps as it seem to be a common fault

[ericiow]

I have exactly the same problem Bill on my 523i SE AUTO, It is all intermittent though, sometimes the ABS light comes on and the speedo and MPG works and sometimes the other way around and even sometimes the whole lot doesn't work. I changed two sensors (ABS) as the code check said they were not working but the lights still appeared. Do you think it is worth trying a scrap yard for a replacement pump (if that's the Problem) it would certainly be cheaper for an OAP like myself???

[billyplum]

Hi Eric Dont think scrap yard would be any cheaper . its the E C U that does not reconise the " new " pump and leads to more problems. my pump cost £298.8 in total to exchange , life time warranty.

E C U Testing LTD Unit 7 Slack Lane , Heanor Gate Ind Est . Heanor ,Derbyshire , DE75 7GX .

my pump was sent off by local garage but on return i refitted my self - no problems , its "plug and play"

was able to use car without pump --- NO speedo , ABS , SDS , and of course warning lights on .

Hope this helps

Bill

Tel No for ECU Testing 01773 535638 ---- They have a Web site --- ecutesting.com

[ericiow]

Hi Bill, Thank you for your advice. Is the pump not attached to all the brake pipes? There is however, a control unit attached to the front of the pump which has 4 screws and a multi plug, was this part you exchanged? The ECU is located behind the passenger glove box although they are all interconnected due to the complexities of BMWs. I had a diagnostic test done on the car when the ABS light first came on, this showed up as a fault in the front and rear off-side sensors which I replaced. The light still came on and now the speedometer and MPG indicators stop working (but not always).

regards,

Eric

[billyplum]

Hi Eric Yes that is the part in question . -- it can be removed with no loss of fluid and car driven without it .

dissconect battery , remove elect. connection ( slide lock out ) then lift up , careful of pins . remove 6 torx screws and it will fall off in your hand .. plastic bag over elect connection , re connect battery . warning lights will be on .no ABS DSC or speedo .(i used sat . nav for speed warnings ) and only used car locally .. Bill