ABS trouble shooting E36

[phil-k]

Hi,

I've got an 1996 318tds E36 that has an ABS light on. Done the immediate common sense check of the brake fluid level - ok. Haven't done a physical check of the brake discs et al yet, but...does anyone know a tool available to troubleshoot ABS?

I've trawled eBay to no avail so far - Peake diagnostic scanners, OBD scanners etc all just do engine and SI light. I know that the car has the 20 pin underbonnet plug as opposed to any other options...all I can find on eBay are 20 pin to 16 pin adapting cables, but then...all the scanners with 16 pin don't do ABS!


HEEEELLLLPPPP!

[R6dug]

carsoft e.t.c but expect to pay £300 easier to find local indie to run a check for you, should cost about £20. more than likely a wheel sensor.

Simon

[TheEnd]

Not only a wheel sensor, but usually a front one, and mostly the same side too, but i keep forgetting what side

[phil-k]

F*ckaty-f*ck-sticks.

Cheers guys. Think I've got an indie garage that will do it at a half reasonable rate. At least the sensors aren't expensive!

[TheEnd]

before you go crazy, take the front wheels off, and look at the wiring, it has to flax everytime the wheel steers, and they fatigue after a while.

Look for chafing or breaks, and feel for any kinks that suggest the wires have broken inside

[phil-k]

That was the plan for tomorrow afternoon.

Don't really see the need for ABS on this particular "Performance hot hatch estate" but as I'm an adhering to the legal frivolities type, I figured get it fixed ASAP.

Got my eyes on replacement relays et al on eBay...just in case it's not an obvious sensor/wiring failure and the diagnostic comes up poo-poo.

Cheers for the advice.

[gav2612]

Chances are it will be a speed sensor. Have been there several times with my missus's X5 and replaced one on my E39. If they have been in there a while you may struggle to remove them(three out of 4 of the ones ive done have broken off) I drilled a small hole in the top of the sensor and threaded a screw into it then pulling the screw and sensor out with plyers. Be careful not to damage the sensor ring underneath and clean out any debris as much as possible before fitting the new sensor

[miniman]

Whereabouts in the South West are you? If you can bring it to Chippenham or Bristol I will plug it in for you.

[eliot]

miniman said:

Whereabouts in the South West are you? If you can bring it to Chippenham or Bristol I will plug it in for you.

He's running a 1996 e36, which may be a bit early for OBD2. You need the ADS interface if you are running INPA/EDIABAS/GT1 (which you were IIRC) - just because you have the round connector, doesn't mean it will work (as I found out with my 1994 e36)

[miniman]

eliot said:

miniman said:

Whereabouts in the South West are you? If you can bring it to Chippenham or Bristol I will plug it in for you.

He's running a 1996 e36, which may be a bit early for OBD2. You need the ADS interface if you are running INPA/EDIABAS/GT1 (which you were IIRC) - just because you have the round connector, doesn't mean it will work (as I found out with my 1994 e36)

Ah.

[fastka]

i'm struggling with an ABS fault at the moment, ('97 328i with ASC+T)

replaced the two front sensors but no joy so far.

[R6dug]

I disconnected the abs plug from the ecu and found where the sensors were connected to.Then check the resistances from there. It is easier to take the top of the plug of to see where the wires go.

Abs ecu is behind the glove box on the left.

Local indie did check it for me and it said n/s/f but turned out to be o/s/f.

Simon