Diagnosing an e36 ABS/TCS light

[NiceCupOfTea]

Hi folks,

I've had an intermittent TCS/ACS light on my '99 e36 for the last few months. I suspect a wheel sensor but which one I don't know.

I know the code readers are a bit sketchy on the e36 - I don't get anything from either my cheapo BMW one or a generic ODBII reader. I suspect the ABS system is not accessible through the normal bus, the same way as the airbag needs a separate tool.

(aside, various people have said that late e36s are supposed to have ODBII but I think this is only in the US market where BMW were forced to adopt the standard port rather than the weird circular one they used in Europe until the early 00s.)

Anyway, I don't want to pay dealer/indy rates to plug in and tell me what the problem is, but other than trial and error any suggestions as to how I can find out which one? Does the laptop INPA solution read ABS codes? Or is there anybody friendly with an appropriate code reader I could borrow for beer money? Or failing that, a decent Indy in SE London who pull codes for sensible money?

Cheers!

[NiceCupOfTea]

Anybody?

[anonymous-user]

I had a similar issue, bought a Creator C110. £30 odd. Worked fine except confirmed the worst, I needed a new ABS module!

[NiceCupOfTea]

I bought a similar BMW code reader (C310 or something) and despite being assured it would work it reads barely anything, and certainly no ABS codes

[anonymous-user]

NiceCupOfTea said:

I bought a similar BMW code reader (C310 or something) and despite being assured it would work it reads barely anything, and certainly no ABS codes

Really? Mine came up with the codes and enabled me to clear them, though they, of course, kept coming back.

[NiceCupOfTea]

REALIST123 said:

Really? Mine came up with the codes and enabled me to clear them, though they, of course, kept coming back.

Yeah the e36 is an odd one, different years, different markets. I did so much research and was assured it would read most of the stuff but nothing

I have a separate airbag reset tool for every time somebody moves the passenger seat

[eztiger328]

NiceCupOfTea said:

Hi folks,

I've had an intermittent TCS/ACS light on my '99 e36 for the last few months. I suspect a wheel sensor but which one I don't know.

I know the code readers are a bit sketchy on the e36 - I don't get anything from either my cheapo BMW one or a generic ODBII reader. I suspect the ABS system is not accessible through the normal bus, the same way as the airbag needs a separate tool.

(aside, various people have said that late e36s are supposed to have ODBII but I think this is only in the US market where BMW were forced to adopt the standard port rather than the weird circular one they used in Europe until the early 00s.)

Anyway, I don't want to pay dealer/indy rates to plug in and tell me what the problem is, but other than trial and error any suggestions as to how I can find out which one? Does the laptop INPA solution read ABS codes? Or is there anybody friendly with an appropriate code reader I could borrow for beer money? Or failing that, a decent Indy in SE London who pull codes for sensible money?

Cheers!

When I rescued my 99 e36 328 sport the first problem I experienced was intermittent ASC+T problems, the ASC+T would appear to just turn itself off randomly and could not be turned back on until the car was restarted.

Turned out the engine mounts were f**ked and the ASC+T module connected to the throttle body was being pressed against the bonnet due to engine movement causing it to short out and disable the ASC+T.

Pop your bonnet, if you see indentations in the sound deadening foam on the underside of your bonnet above and around the throttle body then chances are your engine mounts are shot.

New engine mounts sorted the issue for me.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Thanks - I will check it out. It's going to need a service soon (and RTABs) so I will get the code pulled when it's in if I haven't sorted it by then.

[iSore]

We need to know which E36 it is as there are different systems - four cylinder stuff from around 1996/7 has a combined ABS block and ECU under the battery. Older ones have an ECU the size of a video cassette behind the glovebox, as do almost all six cyl cars.

My 318i (1998 ASC+T) had an intermittent ABS light and it was a faulty drivers from sensor - but visual inspection apart, you need to get the system scanned. Mine was done with Autologic.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Need to revisit this topic!

Same car, same problem - 1999 323 cab, permanent ABS/TCS lights. For the last MOT the Indy just reset it and said it was something to do with the plug to the abs ECU...

Anyway, it soon came back on and the MOT is up. I have a copy of INPA and an old laptop. My dad bought a usb interface but lost the software disc! All it says on the interface is "BMW cables" so I have no idea what it is. However, I have read that it needs to be an ADS one in order to read the ABS codes. Is it worth bothering with the one I have not will it not be able to read them. I want to know what the code is, fix it, and repair it. Will a generic garage spec code reader be able to identify it?

[E-bmw]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/C110-Scanner-Airbag-ABS...

plus

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Great-20-to-16-Pin-Scan...mQAAOSwtnpXowa5

Edited by E-bmw on Monday 9th April 19:52

[Sardonicus]

NiceCupOfTea said:

Need to revisit this topic!

Same car, same problem - 1999 323 cab, permanent ABS/TCS lights. For the last MOT the Indy just reset it and said it was something to do with the plug to the abs ECU...

Anyway, it soon came back on and the MOT is up. I have a copy of INPA and an old laptop. My dad bought a usb interface but lost the software disc! All it says on the interface is "BMW cables" so I have no idea what it is. However, I have read that it needs to be an ADS one in order to read the ABS codes. Is it worth bothering with the one I have not will it not be able to read them. I want to know what the code is, fix it, and repair it. Will a generic garage spec code reader be able to identify it?

Should be able to get yourself a zipped download of INPA here or search Mikes Easy BMW Tools http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=...

[NiceCupOfTea]

E-bmw said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/C110-Scanner-Airbag-ABS...

plus

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Great-20-to-16-Pin-Scan...mQAAOSwtnpXowa5

Edited by E-bmw on Monday 9th April 19:52

Thanks, but I don't believe this will work on e36s which has a real Mish mash of systems. It's not proper OBD2 and abs/airbags are on seperate systems as far as I know. I have the c310 and it doesn't really read anything... I have the Peake tool and that does it all except airbags and abs. I have a separate air bag tool, but nothing for abs.

Sardonicus, I have the software but I'm.just not sure if my interface will work with it...

[SebringMan]

If you are near Warwicshire I can have a go at scanning the car for you. I have INPA which can give more conclusive codes than cheapo readers as well as providing live data.

I know it works on a friend's E46 with the round terminal under the bonnet on his car so it "may" work on yours.

[E-bmw]

NiceCupOfTea said:

E-bmw said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/C110-Scanner-Airbag-ABS...

plus

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Great-20-to-16-Pin-Scan...mQAAOSwtnpXowa5

Edited by E-bmw on Monday 9th April 19:52

Thanks, but I don't believe this will work on e36s which has a real Mish mash of systems. It's not proper OBD2 and abs/airbags are on seperate systems as far as I know. I have the c310 and it doesn't really read anything... I have the Peake tool and that does it all except airbags and abs. I have a separate air bag tool, but nothing for abs.

Sardonicus, I have the software but I'm.just not sure if my interface will work with it...

If that is the case, I suggest you have another issue also as mine worked & read everything initially & then 2 years on just before selling it didn't read the ABS ECU correctly but would read live data allowing me to diagnose the issue as an ABS sensor not reading in certain (wet) conditions.

It should read everything.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Thanks chaps.

Just had a play.

C310 reads more than I remember, seems to read the airbag system although I don't have a light on at the mo. Still won't read the abs module though which I understand is normal as it's on a separate bus. I'm all ears as to how to do it, it just goes through a bunch of protocols and says "communication error or module not present". I suppose that could be the problem in itself but I had been told by others that it would be a problem.

Tried INPA but it didn't even notice it had been plugged into the car. Uninstalled it and reinstalled it following the instructions really carefully but various bits didn't work and it won't even run now. I'm going to give up as it seems to want a dedicated laptop and I don't even know if my cable will work.

Think I'm just going to throw it at my garage. How hard is it to get a bloody code out? I have a generic OBDII code reader, Bluetooth obd dongle, creator c310 and a broken install of INPA and nothing can tell me what's wrong. Can generic garage code readers read these old things?

[nosuchuser]

I had to get the codes read on my '98 e36 after trying a couple of code readers, neither of which could get to the abs info. In the end I took the car to JAW automotive, BMW specialist in the darkest depths of St Pauls Cray.

Question, ABS and TCS lights are separate in my car, is it both of them on? My TCS light will come on and stay on if the connector gets loose.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Yes, both. I had assume it was a sensor but eta Motorsport just cleared the code and didn't tell me what it was at the last MOT!

[NiceCupOfTea]

Ps, are JAW any good? Doesn't mention being a BMW specialist... I took mine to ETA Motorsport as they come highly recommended, but I have to be honest I wasn't that impressed. Good work and a decent price, but customer service not their strong point if I'm honest and the car always came back without everything I had asked to be done. Had to book it in 6 weeks in advance as well.

[SebringMan]

NiceCupOfTea said:

Ps, are JAW any good? Doesn't mention being a BMW specialist... I took mine to ETA Motorsport as they come highly recommended, but I have to be honest I wasn't that impressed. Good work and a decent price, but customer service not their strong point if I'm honest and the car always came back without everything I had asked to be done. Had to book it in 6 weeks in advance as well.

I know what you mean about ETA.

I think the truth is they are very much a bunch of no-nonsense people. They don't tend to stay around late, and aren't open over the weekends.

When I took my E46 M3 there to be reinforced he talked me through the stuff on the phone and answered calmly. After being f**ked around by previous garages I rang him up a week beforehand to check I was OK to bring the car in; he seemed confused as to why I would called. When I dropped it off he seemed a little sharp, but I was early (I arrived at 8:15, and not 8;30). He literally just got in, but set to work soonish. He already had local customers coming up to ask for favours etc.! I left him to it. He didn't even seemed that bothered about the parts I gave him or where they were!

Come the next day I had a phonecall saying the car was done. He talked me briefly through what had been done upon me asking him. When I went to pick the car up on Wednesday (I dropped it in on Monday with the car being done by Tuesday) he showed me the pictures of the work being done. He also talked me through various bits that I quered with him. Him and his father were alot more approachable.

I did notice that to get the information you wanted out of them you'd have to ask them and probe them.

The thing is they are a two man father-and-son band who do get through alot of quality work for reasonable money; a rare find these days. No receptionists or even a large workshop! I don't really mind them sticking rigourously to their working times either; after all, do you really want a tired person to be working on your car?

I know my local garage gets through a similar amount of work, but with a receptionist permanently on board; they don't do Instagram, Facebook or other advertising either, which arguably specialists depend on much more. It's something Matt at ETA seems all too aware of. A Triumph specialist locally who gives you war and peace on stuff with 3 people doesn't even touch ETA for the amount of work he does; that specialist has let me down a few times as well as other people I know.

I couldn't fault the work to be fair, and in a number of ways they remind me of another specialist I used to use; EMC Motorsport. I admit Kevin there is alot better with me now than previously but it took a while for him to do that; he himself is all too aware of how deadlines can be a pain, probably from past experience like all of us.

FWIW I'm not paid etc. by them. I've used Autobahn locally for my big ends this time around. But I have seen my share of bad garages both from myself and from others experiences and been let down many a time.

Edited by SebringMan on Tuesday 10th April 13:56