E39 new ABS unit, how much?
E39 new ABS unit, how much?
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sparks_E39

Original Poster:

12,738 posts

244 months

Monday 13th June 2011
quotequote all
My ABS and traction control light is on again, speedo is working. Yesterday I drove through some very heavy rain and hit a big puddle/lake on the A35 in Poole, and this morning it's on and won't switch off after numerous times of switching on and off. It isn't the ignition barrel playing up, as thats 6 weeks old. I reckon I might just replace the sensor and the ABS unit as this isn't the first time it's happened. Worth noting that I tested the brakes this morning on a safe bit of road, absolutely fine, but I don't want to run the car with that problem. Any idea on costs for these parts? It's going to an indie for any work it has done. It's a 1999 528i SE Auto.

mini1380cc

2,949 posts

202 months

Monday 13th June 2011
quotequote all
Sparks,
I have just been through all of this with my e39. First thing i would say is definately get OEM/genuine wheels sensors if they are the problem. find ATE ones for £80ish. If the rain affects it chances are its the sensor.

If its the ABS module itself BBA-Reman can do them for £150ish depending on which bosch unit you have.

miniman

30,188 posts

293 months

Monday 13th June 2011
quotequote all
Hang on, you can't go changing the ABS ECU / pump without some proper diagnosis. Have you had the car plugged in? If you're anywhere near Bristol I can do it for you. It will almost certainly show that one of the sensors is borked (mine did the same after some puddle action). You definitely need to do that before getting into the expensive stuff.

Pickled Piper

6,452 posts

266 months

Monday 13th June 2011
quotequote all
Yes, first port of call are the sensors. The ABS control unit is around the £500 to £800 mark IIRC.

pp

mattman

3,192 posts

253 months

Monday 13th June 2011
quotequote all
Sparks - I had the same lights come on with mine (99 528i touring) - diagnosed as 1 rear wheel sensor kaput - all fixed with genuine parts by a local indie for £160

sparks_E39

Original Poster:

12,738 posts

244 months

Monday 13th June 2011
quotequote all
Oh god yes I was going to get it diagnosed first, it didn't come on on the journey home and all seemed well... noticed the stereo display flickering a bit though.

mini1380cc

2,949 posts

202 months

Monday 13th June 2011
quotequote all
Sparks,
If you are not shy of getting dirty the rear sensor can be done in 15 minutes easy. Like i say i got the genuine item for £80 from ECP.

sparks_E39

Original Poster:

12,738 posts

244 months

Tuesday 14th June 2011
quotequote all
Thanks I may have a go, and thanks miniman for the offer, but I'm in Dorset mate, but thank you smile

miniman

30,188 posts

293 months

Tuesday 14th June 2011
quotequote all
You might well find removing them is a bit of a pig of a job. I had to drill mine out.

BliarOut

72,863 posts

270 months

Tuesday 14th June 2011
quotequote all
miniman said:
You might well find removing them is a bit of a pig of a job. I had to drill mine out.
And if you do that you can drill into the reluctor on the back of the wheel bearing... Apparently paperbag

Don't drill/poke anything any deeper than the fully round part of the sensor or you'll end up changing the bearing too....



miniman

30,188 posts

293 months

Tuesday 14th June 2011
quotequote all
BliarOut said:
miniman said:
You might well find removing them is a bit of a pig of a job. I had to drill mine out.
And if you do that you can drill into the reluctor on the back of the wheel bearing... Apparently paperbag

Don't drill/poke anything any deeper than the fully round part of the sensor or you'll end up changing the bearing too....
I have definitely never done that. Absolutely never. Not at all.

OK once.

BliarOut

72,863 posts

270 months

Tuesday 14th June 2011
quotequote all
You too neither huh? biggrin

BarnatosGhost

34,415 posts

284 months

Wednesday 15th June 2011
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check the cable that the ASC (TCS?) thingy uses to kill the throttle. If it snaps the dash shines lights at you.

A £7 fix. Fingers-crossed for you!

anonymous-user

85 months

Wednesday 15th June 2011
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A diagnosis will probably bring up rear left speed sensor. Simple, get the ABS/speed sensor changed - however, this code also comes up when the ABS module is kaput. You can send the module off to BBA reman as said above. They will test the unit for £25 and return it to you if it's ok. Cheaper this way than getting the ABS sensor changed for £135(what I payed at an Indy) only to find it is your module after all.

The ABS modules are very expensive to buy new, but as already said BBA Reman recondition them for 150-200 quid with a two year warranty.

If it does turn out to be your sensor I would strongly advise taking it to a garage to get it done - they are an absolute nightmare to remove and you will need a genuine BMW one so the cost saving DIY will be negligable.

Hope this helps - there are other threads on this issue on PH by the way

mini1380cc

2,949 posts

202 months

Friday 17th June 2011
quotequote all
all of the above stands true but the part where it is more prominent during the rain would suggest wheel sensor.


Does your cruise control work when the ASC light is on?

sparks_E39

Original Poster:

12,738 posts

244 months

Friday 17th June 2011
quotequote all
mini1380cc said:
all of the above stands true but the part where it is more prominent during the rain would suggest wheel sensor.


Does your cruise control work when the ASC light is on?
Yes it does.

sparks_E39

Original Poster:

12,738 posts

244 months

Monday 27th June 2011
quotequote all
Well it's happened again, no rain or puddles this time. Also no speedo, fuel gauge is all over the place, the range reading is going up and down with it, no mpg reading and the mileage isn't increasing. It's going in this week, hopefully it's just the sensor.

BliarOut

72,863 posts

270 months

Monday 27th June 2011
quotequote all
You're in luck, those are exactly the symptoms of a failed sensor. Go careful with the drill if it's stuck and remember the sensor ring!!! paperbag

sparks_E39

Original Poster:

12,738 posts

244 months

Monday 27th June 2011
quotequote all
BliarOut said:
You're in luck, those are exactly the symptoms of a failed sensor. Go careful with the drill if it's stuck and remember the sensor ring!!! paperbag
I have an excellent indie a 5 minute walk from my work who is very happy with me for providing him with a lot of work (after I got my beemer 3 or 4 guys here purchased seemingly broken ones too!!) So he does me a good deal, and I'd rather trust him over me!

sparks_E39

Original Poster:

12,738 posts

244 months

Wednesday 29th June 2011
quotequote all
Would a faulty ABS module produce the symptoms I've had, or is it just the sensor? What are tell tell symptoms the module is broken?