E.39 5 series - ABS problems - HELP PLEASE!!!!

[piriaka 0]

Hi everyone there in Beemer land!

I have today been advised by my BMW dealer, that the central control unit (something like that, it's called) for my car's ABS requires repair (at may be $700 give or take) or replacement if it can't be repaired (at approx $2000). I has some other work done on the car and this was the problem diagnosed as a result of the ABS warning light coming on intermittently.

An issue for me is that about 8 weeks ago, they diagnosed the problem as the front right ABS sender unit (or something like that) was the problem. And that that would cost about $400 to put right.

Hard case about today is that they charged me again for the cost of diagnosing the problem???

In any event, I will sort THAT aspect out. But, I'd value advice about the potential problem and the possible costs as advised, to fix it.

I am concerned to take the car back because it might be diagnosed as BOTH need attention at $3000 next time!!!!.

Any comments and advice would be valued.

Thanks heaps

Regards

Ray

[hotwire 352]

It could have two problems - I take it they haven't fixed the first yet? Did they just clear the code the first time?

When did the light come back on?

Did it come up with both fault codes this time?

Yes - a little rich charging a diagnosis each time but then if it does infact have two problems - they can probably justify the cause

[martyyn 2]

if you do end up having to get a control unit (for whatever they decide the fault it) consider getting one from either the UK or Germany on ebay.

I had a shock sensor go for the side airbags and they wanted 880+gst just for the unit never mind the fitment, but I got one from Germany for 80 landed, stripped the seat out myself and got a sparky to install and rest everything.

Cost me less than half the dealer price for the part to put it all right.

[isis 16]

ABS unit can be repaired. much cheaper than a new unit.

[jochen 4]

Try resoldering the control unit first

I've heard a common fault is solder joints cracking and that a lot of the repair centres just sit down and resolder everything.

So easy to do its worth trying.

[*Glenn* 855]

I have covered this before in previous threads.

If the ABS is coming up with speed sensor faults, drive the car with the scanner and check live data. If all 4 speed sensors are reading properly and within a 2km speed range at 30kph, the fault is in the circuit board in the ABS control unit. This is very easy to check by an experienced person. Also make sure that tyres sizes are correct, these can also give an ABS fault. Also to confirm its not the sensor, swap them and recheck. There are DIY info on the internet to do this. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself. Get a local brake specialist to take it off for you and send it to Rob:

Powerstop Engineering

Unit 3

2 Wilrose Place

Tauranga

Ph. (07) 5788909

Approx $300

Rob will repair the circuit board, flush the pump, check activation, clear memory fault codes and give a 12 month warranty and he does a very neat job too. You cant tell its been apart.

Then get the brake specialist to refit it and bleed the brakes for you

All done and not too painfull $$$$$ wise

Hope this helps

Cheers

Glenn

PS You can always ring me for advise if you want

Edited June 5, 2008 by botanymotorworx

[piriaka 0]

I have covered this before in previous threads.

If the ABS is coming up with speed sensor faults, drive the car with the scanner and check live data. If all 4 speed sensors are reading properly and within a 2km speed range at 30kph, the fault is in the circuit board in the ABS control unit. This is very easy to check by an experienced person. Also make sure that tyres sizes are correct, these can also give an ABS fault. Also to confirm its not the sensor, swap them and recheck. There are DIY info on the internet to do this. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself. Get a local brake specialist to take it off for you and send it to Rob:

Powerstop Engineering

Unit 3

2 Wilrose Place

Tauranga

Ph. (07) 5788909

Approx $300

Rob will repair the circuit board, flush the pump, check activation, clear memory fault codes and give a 12 month warranty and he does a very neat job too. You cant tell its been apart.

Then get the brake specialist to refit it and bleed the brakes for you

All done and not too painfull $$$$$ wise

Hope this helps

Cheers

Glenn

PS You can always ring me for advise if you want

Thanks, Glen - may be even a trip to Tauranga? Would your contac t do the job - likle remove, fix, reassemble?

Thanks heaps to you all.

No, the fault wasn't fixed on the first visit. The light comes on intermittently.

Regards

Ray

[BM WORLD 1286]

i had a problem with my 99 e39 540it

light kept coming on , dicovered i could make it come on by tapping the abs pump with a tool.

used a guy in takanini , took the control box off the abs pump easu 10min job dropped it in 2 days latter (can still drive the car with out it ) $140 . bad joints etc (common problem)

call shane

0274722287 he repairs alsorts of abs control boxes , heater controls , cluster car stereos etc etc .

[*Glenn* 855]

We use Shane too. He does all our instrument clusters. Great guy and reasonable prices too. He did my cluster (tacho) and also did Riley's tacho for his E30 V8.

However I will point out that its not only the wiring that gives problems with ABS pumps. Depends on the fault code. Thats why we use Rob @ Powerstop for our pumps and only end up doing the repair once... with a warranty.

Edited June 6, 2008 by botanymotorworx

[piriaka 0]

We use Shane too. He does all our instrument clusters. Great guy and reasonable prices too. He did my cluster (tacho) and also did Riley's tacho for his E30 V8.

However I will point out that its not only the wiring that gives problems with ABS pumps. Depends on the fault code. Thats why we use Rob @ Powerstop for our pumps and only end up doing the repair once... with a warranty.

Hi everyone - hey, I was in Auckland last week, and Shane removed the ABS unit on the first afternoon (took about 2 minutes to remove) , I took the car - he did the business and reinstalled the unit next afternoon. GREAT service and HIGHLY recommended. Also fixes pixels I found out. Will get him onto that next trip.

Well worth the journey - and sure beats BMW saying I need a new one at $2k!

Thanks again for your advice

Regards

Ray

[kiwi535 538]

Hi everyone - hey, I was in Auckland last week, and Shane removed the ABS unit on the first afternoon (took about 2 minutes to remove) , I took the car - he did the business and reinstalled the unit next afternoon. GREAT service and HIGHLY recommended. Also fixes pixels I found out. Will get him onto that next trip.

Well worth the journey - and sure beats BMW saying I need a new one at $2k!

Thanks again for your advice

Regards

Ray

glad it worked out for you!

[Nobimmer 694]

Sorry to Hijack the thread but on my way back from Napier (to AKL) and the ABS light and the traction control(?) light cam one.Pulled over because it was pissing down with rain and I thought my brakes had sh!t themselves and it was still sweet to drive so I carried on.Then about 5 mins later the speedo stopped working then the fuel economy gauge stopped.

Is there a problem with driving around with it or is it likely to break more shiz!?Or is it just an annoying light?

Cheers

Ashkan

ps.Car is an e39 520i

[kiwi535 538]

Sorry to Hijack the thread but on my way back from Napier (to AKL) and the ABS light and the traction control(?) light cam one.Pulled over because it was pissing down with rain and I thought my brakes had sh!t themselves and it was still sweet to drive so I carried on.Then about 5 mins later the speedo stopped working then the fuel economy gauge stopped.

Is there a problem with driving around with it or is it likely to break more shiz!?Or is it just an annoying light?

Cheers

Ashkan

ps.Car is an e39 520i

its not just an annoying light.I would go and see Glenn if I was you!

[Cheyne 17]

Sorry to Hijack the thread but on my way back from Napier (to AKL) and the ABS light and the traction control(?) light cam one.Pulled over because it was pissing down with rain and I thought my brakes had sh!t themselves and it was still sweet to drive so I carried on.Then about 5 mins later the speedo stopped working then the fuel economy gauge stopped.

Is there a problem with driving around with it or is it likely to break more shiz!?Or is it just an annoying light?

Cheers

Ashkan

ps.Car is an e39 520i

Sounds like you got water in your ABS sensor. The same thing happened with my 7 Series. It shuts of your speedo to encourage you to take it to service. If you can spare the car for a week, let it sit in a warm(ish) garage for a week to dry out and it should be fine.

The only problem with driving around without the speedo is that your odo will be out and you will probably get a tamper dot showing.

[Nobimmer 694]

Ahh yeah well it was pissing down and drove through the ice etc.Will talk to Glenn tommorow.

Cheers