E39 540i ABS / DSC Fault

[Goose 47]

Yep, that old chestnut again..........   

So I have the trifecta of amber DSC  ( ! )   (ABS)   warning lights coming up on startup and not going away. This began as an intermittent issue and would only appear after around 30 mins of driving. As all four wheel speed sensors have been replaced and test ok, I assumed it was the ABS module and had this sent away for the standard dry solder repairs. Turns out the unit had been opened / repaired in the passed and after re-fitting and testing, the fault persisted. 

Thinking the ABS module I have was stuffed, I purchased a used (but apparently good) module off ebay. It arrived and looked super clean and tidy, so with excitement building, I fitted the new module, and the issue persisted, again....

I have tried a couple of scan tools on the vehicle (a cheep one ($300) with BMW software, plus an expensive one, 3k) and get a "no communication" message when trying to connect to the newly fitted module. 

My question is, will a replacement ABS module from a donor car need to be programmed to suit the vehicle it is being fitted to? And if so, can someone point me in the direction of a helpful person? Based on Marsden Point, but happy to travel with vehicle. 

I have also read something about the steering angle sensor being involved in the ABS, but don't want to throw more complications in the mix just yet. 

Any advice greatly accepted. 

[hunter 411]

Do the new and old module have the same serial number?
I replaced the one in my E39 530i with a locally sourced unit, as the serieal numbers where exactly the same it was plug and play.
I beleive if they are different it will likley require coding. (?)

[Goose 47]

Differing numbers, but is a match in terms of fitting. Not sure what numbers should be a match between the units (unit part numbers) and what numbers are unique to the individual units (unit serial numbers)

I know there are differences between years / vehicles with ASC vs DSC but I believe this to be the correct unit for my vehicle, just unsure regarding the programming thing?

Original unit

eBay purchased unit

 

Cheers,

[BM WORLD 1294]

1 hour ago, Goose said:

Differing numbers, but is a match in terms of fitting. Not sure what numbers should be a match between the units (unit part numbers) and what numbers are unique to the individual units (unit serial numbers)

I know there are differences between years / vehicles with ASC vs DSC but I believe this to be the correct unit for my vehicle, just unsure regarding the programming thing?

Original unit

eBay purchased unit

 

Cheers,

not compatible 

[Goose 47]

Bugger. Even with programming? 

So witch numbers need to match the original? I assumed the number along the bottom was a serial number, ie individual to each unit.

Thanks. 

 

[hunter 411]

Unsure on programming but for best chance of plug and play the serials must match. 

[Goose 47]

Ok, this may be a silly question, but I thought a serial number was a unique number used to identify an individual item? 

There is and endless list if these units advertised on eBay, all listed as being for a 1999 540i, that have different numbers on them. 

Am I looking for a matching serial number, or a matching part number? Or does every number on the label need to match? Surly one of these sets of numbers is unique to each individual unit?

[Eagle 1737]

You had communication with the ABS module prior to fitting the replacement? ASC or DSC? Late 1998 is when they changed over to DSC which is assume yours has? 

Always gone with the same number then re-code if needed. The 0 265 900 001 is the Bosch part number and the 34.526.756.342 is the BMW part numbers which translates to the Bosch number.

The issue is there are different versions and updated revisions for those versions eg 1 265 900 001 for the above p\m. As above different versions arent compatible as they are physically different inside etc, maybe updated revisions can be coded if you have earlier version but not sure on this. 

The original part number appears to be an older ASC unit which doesn't make sense if you have DSC. The BMW module part number for your car (34516769536) is slightly different compared to the unit you have bought, but still seem to share the the same main Bosch part number so should technically work with at least a re-code.

[Goose 47]

Build date was 07-1999 (VIN  WBADN62010GF11128) and is defiantly a DSC car.

I need to make correction a to the "original" unit number above, after going to the garage last night and checking the two physical units side by side, what I actually have is below. I had a couple of photos of these labels in my phone and selected the wrong one when first writing this post😫 apologies for the confusion!

This is what was on the car when I purchased it. No idea if it is original or not but worked without issue for years.

This is the eBay unit - advertised as being for a 1999 540i

As mentioned, the original unit had been opened and repaired at some stage in the passed, witch makes sense as there was an invoice from Circuit Specialists for ASB module repair in the pile of paperwork that came with the car. When it failed, I had Circuit Specialists look at it again, but after refitting, the fault persisted.  This is when I purchased the unit off eBay, but after fitting this module I still have the DSC  ( ! )   (ABS)  lights and after trying to connect with scan tool, I get a n"no communication" error.

Still slightly confused with the numbers though. Is the 0 265 950 002 number the one I'm wanting to match? I have looked at about 15 of these modules on eBay (all advertised as being for a 1999 540i) that all seem to have differing numbers. 

As Eagle mentioned above, Id like to get the numbers as close as I can and re-program from there if needed. If I cant get a direct swap, who would be a good option for doing the programming work somewhere between Whangarei and the shore? 

Thanks again

[BM WORLD 1294]

the bosch number must match 0 265 950 002 is a DSC type 

 the 0 265 900 001 is a ASC type 

is the button inside the car a ASC or DSC button

does the abs module have pressure sensor mounted to it ?

[Goose 47]

Definitely DSC button on the dash. Guessing this is the pressure sensor on the back of the pump manifold? Just noticed the plug for the pressure sensor looks to be a little broken, looks like it should be plugged in correctly though

I see there is a crowd in the States that can re-manufacture an existing unit, negating the need to re-code.

https://www.ebay.com/p/1730479114?iid=253055637965&fitmentTarget=Make%3ABMW|Model%3A540i

I wonder if this is a better option vs trying to re-code a used unit from another vehicle?

Thanks,

[Eagle 1737]

What BMW tools\software did you try to communicate with it and\or have you got?  ABS communication with the old module wasn't an issue? Im assuming you are using the 20 pin connector under the hood to connect to\diagnose? Ive used NCS expert and P.A soft (BMW scanner 1.4) to recode them in the past, very simple and not hard or expensive to do yourself.

If the above is true then technically that used module is compatible and should at least communicate provided it doesn't have some sort of fault. You could try a recode via NCS expert if you have that setup if that fails it could well be DOA.

Getting a reman'd unit is certainly the better option, not sure who is the best outfit for that given there are many. I know there is gambling involved when trying to fix these regardless, certainly less than used units though.