anyone know anything about abs lights on a bmw?

Question

the abs light on my dash wont go out had it on the rolling road but couldnt get an answer from the car any ideas

did c a mechanis ya fud hence the bit bout ROLLING ROAD!

did have it on machine but the car would not answer, re set service lights etc but would not show specific fault codes etc.
BY THE WAY ITS CHEAPER TO MAINTAIN THAN A PISHY VX VECTRA

Answer 1

Hi there

Few things to try.

First, is the ABS working? Take the car out in the wet to a place where it is quiet and safe to do so and try to activate it.

Depending on model it may be a warning that once it comes on it stays on. Try rebooting the computers. Disconnect the battery (or batteries). Leave the car for 30 minutes then reconnect. However, you will lose all other data e.g. fuel consumption, radio code etc so ensure you have every thing you need to restart

Clean the sensors. Dust can build up on them and give a faulty reading. Taking them out and cleaning them may do it.

However, it is more likely that one of the valves on the pump has jammed. These can be rebuilt but it is always better to have the BMW diagnostics computer attached first to find out which one.

Hope this helps

Answer 2

Bmw 1 Series Dashboard Warning Lights

Answer 3

Advice take it to a bmw dealer or specialist it may be you have a sensor fault but it also may be more serious the diagnostic equiptment will be able to tell them if it is minor or major.
In any case get it checked properly if you have an accident 2 things can happen no1 your insurance will be invalid and no 2 if someone is injured or killed the police will throw the book at you.
Think time spent at a dealer or specialist is better than a damp prison cell

Answer 4

Here is your starter for ten, as you did not specify the model and year.

ABS WARNING LIGHT ON
MODELS AFFECTED: 3 series (E36) and Z3 produced up to 5/96
FAULT: The ABS warning lamp is on in the instrument cluster, and fault code 145 (pump inoperable)
stored in the ABS control module memory.
CAUSE: Faulty relays produced prior to May 1996.
SOLUTION: Use the DIS tester to confirm that fault code 145 is set in the ABS control unit. Work
through test instructions in DIS confirm that the fault is not caused by any other components. Then
replace the gray ABS pump motor relay, witch is located in the power distribution box, rear left side
of engine compartment.

MICROPROCESSOR CONTROLLED ABS(uC-ABS)STORES ERRONEOUS INTERNAL DEFECT FAULT
MODELS AFFECTED: 7series(E32)-vehicles produced 06/91 and later, equipped with M30 engine.
5 series (E34)-vehicles produced 9/91 and later.
FAULT: Increasing number of uC-ABS control units are being returned for showing internal defect during
troubleshooting and readout of the fault memory. In most cases the fault is erroneous.
CAUSE: If the ignition is switched on with the cap of the D100 diagnostic connector removed, the erroneous
fault can be set by a low voltage condition on the TTD lead to this control unit.
SOLUTION:
-Erase the fault in the uC-ABS fault memory, while the diagnostic module is still connected and the
ignition is switched on.
-Before disconnecting the diagnostic cable, switch off the ignition
-Reconnect the cap for the D100 diagnostic connector, then switch on
the ignition again.
-Do not replace control unit.

ASC AND/OR ABS WARNING LAMP ON
MODELS AFFECTED: 3 series (E 46), vehicles produced up to 9/98
FAULT: The ASC and/or ABS warning lamps are on, with fault code 31 or 41(rear wheel speed sensor) set
in memory.
CAUSE: Faulty rear wheel speed sensor.
SOLUTION: Replace the wheel speed sensor with a sensor with production date 22/08 or later.

ASC LAMP ON, FAULT CODES
MODELS AFFECTED: E38(7 series), E39 (5 series) with M62, or M73 engine.
FAULT: The ASC lamp is on and no fault codes are stored. If the under hood diagnostic connector is
removed the ASC lamp goes off.
CAUSE: Incorrect under hood OBD cap fitted.
SOLUTION: Install correct OBD connector cap (part number 12 52 1 703 202).The part number is inscribed
into the OBD cap moulding

ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON
MODELS AFFECTED: All with ABS
FAULT: ABS warning light comes on intermittently. Normal troubleshooting procedures find no defect.
CAUSE: If cars have recently had two new tires, or snow tires put on. Sometimes when the car is driven
over 50 MPH.
SOLUTION: Check all four tires on the car, make sure they are the same brand, style, and size. Check if
any of the new tires have substantially more tread than the rest. These differences may cause enough
variance in rolling diameters to confuse the ABS control unit, which intern gives a false signal to the ABS
warning light.

ABS WARNING LIGHT GLOWS
MODELS AFFECTED: 3 series (E 36)-vehicles produced 1/96 to 3/96 without ASC.
FAULT: On rare instances the ABS warning may glow slightly after other electrical consumers have been
switched on. No fault is stored in the ABS control module fault memory.
CAUSE: Hardware fault in the ABS control module.
SOLUTION: If this is encountered replace the ABS control module.

ABS, ASC, AND ASC+T MALFUNCTION
MODELS AFFECTED: All models equipped with ABS,ASC OR ASC+T
FAULT: Any of the ABS ASC and ASC+T systems inoperative, intermittently inoperative, or illuminating
the warning lamp.
CAUSE: All BMW'S with slip control systems use 4 wheel speed sensors which monitor each wheels
speed of rotation with a high accuracy. The system control unit uses this information to calculate a
vehicle speed. In this way it detects wheel speed variation. If the inputs vary from each other by a certain
amount, the control unit is not able to do the calculation reliably (plausibility fault) and takes its self
off-line as a safety precaution(fail-safe).This can be because the wheels and tires are non-approved partsand therefore do not agree with the system.SOLUTION: Make sure the vehicle is fitted with BMW approved wheels and tires. Then do further
diagnostic testing to check if fault is resolved

Answer 5

more than likely an abs sensor e36 3series had problems with back and front sensors. un plug the sensors use an ohm metre and check continuity , or book in for some diagnoses on a b.m.w. d.i.s. machine five min job get a print out decide what to do

Answer 6

This happended to me becasue the thing was programmed to go on when a required check up was do... depending upon your mileage that could be the reason. These guys always want to get you back into the dealer!

Answer 7

Did you talk to the car politely. Seriously take it to someone who can plug into your diagnostic port and read out your fault code it will be stored because your ABS light is on.Regards Mick UK

Answer 8

you dont need to go to a main dealer, just a good reputable mechanic...the brake warning light came on with mine and stayed on even after it was fixed but it goes off automatically after so many hours of driving, perhaps this is whats up with yours? and i agree with you, its a myth that they are expensive to maintain, they are a class motor, i love mine..!

Answer 9

Take it to a certified dealer or a mechanic to specalizes in Beemers. If you can afford to drive it, you better be able to afford to maintain it.

Answer 10

THEY MEAN YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR ANTI LOCK BRAKES...YOU WERE WARNED YOU HAVE A BRAKE PROBLEM BUT WHAT THE HELL, KEEP ON DRIVING TILL YOU HAVE A REALLY BAD ACCIDENT WHERE MAYBE SOMEONE DIES BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T WANNA SEE A MECHANIC...GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!!!