ASC warning light

[Liokault]

The ASC warning light has started showing on my dash. I have a 97 540.

It tends to come on after a mild bit of acceleration. There’s a slight 'lurch' as if there’s a momentary loss of power or a gear changes is about to happen but doesn’t, then the warning light comes on and every thing else is normal, no power loss etc.

Any ideas?

[MitchT]

My 318is has ASC+T and the light comes on when the traction-control kicks-in. The sensation is like you describe - momentary loss of power combined with the ASC+T light coming on, but then the power returns and the light goes off. This is normal so I assume what yours is doing is normal too unless the light is remaining on permanently.



NB. Yes it is possible to spin the wheels on a 318 before all the six-pot elitists start winding me up.

[LC23]

Isn't the 318iS a 6 pot?

[Liokault]

Sorry, yes the light remains on for the duration.

Also, its not the traction control kicking in as the acceleration at the point where the light comes on and the power 'stutters' is no where near enough to trouble the tyres.

[MitchT]

Liokault said:

Sorry, yes the light remains on for the duration.

According to the handbook for my car the light being on permanently indicates a fault, though it also suggests that the light would come on as soon a the fault is there, not after the traction control has been triggered by something.

Liokault said:

Also, its not the traction control kicking in as the acceleration at the point where the light comes on and the power 'stutters' is no where near enough to trouble the tyres.

Are you driving on normal dry tarmac when this is happening? I find that the traction control light will flicker if I'm so much as driving on a greasy road or passing over a manhole cover, even accelerating gently and with revs at only at about 2,000rpm. Have you checked your tyre pressures? It couldn't be that you have an underinflated tyre moving around on the rim, could it? It might be okay for a while after setting off but then the first time the tyre slips it triggers the traction control, causes the dip in revs, but then the light stays on because the system is detecting more slip, but not enough to cause another noticable drop in revs... so the car feels normal but the light is still on. I'd start there - ask myself what things could be making the car think it's spinning its wheels even though it isn't.

[clonmult]

LC23 said:

Isn't the 318iS a 6 pot?

4 pot 16 valve, circa 140bhp.

Even driving like a psycho I rarely got the ASC to come on in the dry. In the wet it was on all the time.

But whenever it did come on, it came on way too late.

• sniff* I miss my 318iS

[MitchT]

clonmult said:

• sniff* I miss my 318iS

I nearly sold mine a while back and felt physically depressed at the thought of it going... but fortunately it took me so long to get a sensible insurance quote for an 840Ci Sport that I was eyeing-up that the guy who was going to buy my 318iS got bored and walked away. Based on how I felt back then I'd only buy another car now if I could keep the one I have as well.

[clonmult]

MitchT said:

clonmult said:

• sniff* I miss my 318iS

I nearly sold mine a while back and felt physically depressed at the thought of it going... but fortunately it took me so long to get a sensible insurance quote for an 840Ci Sport that I was eyeing-up that the guy who was going to buy my 318iS got bored and walked away. Based on how I felt back then I'd only buy another car now if I could keep the one I have as well.

I was pretty much forced into it - third kid on the way, and won't have a 6 year old just using a lap belt.

Was hoping that I'd find an E36 Saloon with a 3 point center belt, but they don't exist. A 5 series was an option, but for the moment I've just tried to keep costs down (hence getting a Laguna, it generally gets fixed with a bit of tape and a hammer. Last repair was done with a pocket knife ....)

[LC23]

clonmult said:

LC23 said:

Isn't the 318iS a 6 pot?

4 pot 16 valve, circa 140bhp.

Even driving like a psycho I rarely got the ASC to come on in the dry. In the wet it was on all the time.

But whenever it did come on, it came on way too late.

• sniff* I miss my 318iS

Ah, thank you for confirming. I always had it in my head that the 318i was 4 cylinder but the 318iS was 6 cylinder.

[eliot]

Comming back on-topic. Tyre pressures/wear would be first place to look. Possibly a duff abs sensor too.

[Ravell]

LC23 said:

clonmult said:

LC23 said:

Isn't the 318iS a 6 pot?

4 pot 16 valve, circa 140bhp.

Even driving like a psycho I rarely got the ASC to come on in the dry. In the wet it was on all the time.

But whenever it did come on, it came on way too late.

• sniff* I miss my 318iS

Ah, thank you for confirming. I always had it in my head that the 318i was 4 cylinder but the 318iS was 6 cylinder.

318i was 8 valve 4 cylinder, 318is was 16 valve 4 cylinder coupe with some m3 engine tech and a two stage variable length intake manifold thrown in to get some decent power from them. Pretty good engines really!

Supposedly the handling is slightly better than the 6 pots as it's somewhat lighter. I've not had the privalige of trying one, but I'd love to see how they compare to my 323i.

[clonmult]

Ravell said:

LC23 said:

clonmult said:

LC23 said:

Isn't the 318iS a 6 pot?

4 pot 16 valve, circa 140bhp.

Even driving like a psycho I rarely got the ASC to come on in the dry. In the wet it was on all the time.

But whenever it did come on, it came on way too late.

• sniff* I miss my 318iS

Ah, thank you for confirming. I always had it in my head that the 318i was 4 cylinder but the 318iS was 6 cylinder.

318i was 8 valve 4 cylinder, 318is was 16 valve 4 cylinder coupe with some m3 engine tech and a two stage variable length intake manifold thrown in to get some decent power from them. Pretty good engines really!

Supposedly the handling is slightly better than the 6 pots as it's somewhat lighter. I've not had the privalige of trying one, but I'd love to see how they compare to my 323i.

I really shouldn't read this thread, the M44 engine really was fantastic - lacking in torque, but it felt bulletproof, it could live at the red line all day long.

I've only driven the E36 in 325 Saloon and 318iS coupe form, but would have to say that whilst the 325 was obviously more powerful, the 318iS definitely felt better on the limit.