ABS and ASC light on E39

[opp]

Guys Looks like my dreaded day finally came. Both my ABS and ASC light have been on for the last three days after a heavy rain. Funny thing is that the last time, this happened to me , it kinda dried itself off. After a quick blast on the highway, everthing was ok. I have been blasting up and down the highway and still no diff . Crap. One thing which I dont understand is that if there is a fault with the ABS system, why does it effect the ACS? Any commnets? Thx

 

[leforte]

your ASC works in conjunction with your ABS....

this is a very common problem. sometimes, you whole cluster would go haywire as well, with no speedo, no rpm and all the abs/asc lights turns on like a christmas tree. turn the car off and leave it stationary for a while, you restart and everything goes back to normal. happened on my e36, e39, my cousin;s e46 and e90 fresh out of the factory... sigh..

oh, one highly recommended mechanic i went to, told me to replace the whole ABS control unit to solve the damn problem. and its ONLY gonna cost me 3k for his service.... i gave him a @#@$%@@@1 for his unfounded advice.

anyway, you may do a search on this problem and there are numerous others with the same fate as you, and a very simple fixed it just to clean the abs sensor. but that would probably last you a short time with our wet tropical weather here.

anyway, a longer term solution would be to remove the abs sensor and have it clean with some brake cleaner and while the car is on the hoist, aim the brake cleaner nozzle into the hole at the axle where the sensor came out from and at the same time rotate the wheel while you are spraying it. this will clean up the all the dirt and gunk trap within the cog teeth over the years which is the main culprit that disrupt the abs sensor readings in the first place. spray the hole with pressurized air gun to remove excess cleaner and moisture, and reattached the sensor. repeat the process on all 4 wheels and you are done.

 

[Daredevil]

ABS light being on is a common problem wif E39s. Probably because of the sensor which is located below the drivers seat. Any minor pressure will set it off. Resetting it doesn't help because it'll come back after a few days.

Drive without ASC la. More kick mah......:rock:

 

[koh528i]

i had this problem too its probably the speed sensors, i changed mine and all is fine, its a very common problem for BMW. If its not the speed sensor i am afraid you need to change the abs controller which cost few thousand !
Wish you luck bro !

 

[bmw7833]

No need to change whole control unit lar..Last time i faced the same problem with u, but everything go back normal after i stop the car and let it rest for a while..But the ABS light will come back, some fxxker mechanic will try to cheat u that u need to change the whole control unit..but what i done only change one of the ABS sensor, cost ard RM300. NOW EVERYTHING OK!!

 

[mohdrozali]

Having same problem. Sent to my regular mech. Changed few sensors still didnt work. He tried the to put ASC Control Unit from another Beemer and the problem solved. So that control unit seems to be the problem. A new one cost about RM2k++ (there's a shop selling beemer parts along Jalan Raja Laut KL, cant remember name (anyone knows??). Otherwise trying to look for recon unit. Any advice where I can find one?

 

[wang]

changed ABS sensor n will solve the problem...i repaired it before...RM280 each...

 

[mohdrozali]

ABS sensor already changed but lights still come on. Like I said the mech tried replacing with the ASC Control Unit frm another beemer nearby and the lights are no longer there. That seems to be the solution

 

[Alex88]

Hi,

Been reading the problems that some of the bros here facing with the ABS & ASC.. its my turn to have this problem.

It started 3mths back, both the lights came out, I send in the Stuggart, they replace the front left speed sensor (RM585)... everything ok until last 2 weeks. Both lights came out again, went in to diagnose, can't find a problem.

It will come out after driving in hot weather for 20-30minutes, then the gear won't change to 4th(have 2 manually change it). Then the brakes feel funny, it don't have the braking power! Original brake pads and brake sensors are new.
Very Frustrating! Already send in twice to Stuggart, BUT can't find the fault..

Can someone enlighten me on this? Thanks

Rgds,
Alex

 

[azan23uk]

alex,

I think those who know change the speed sensor for RM300 all in. Stuttgart tekan u kow kow.

Anyway, the light is on most probably due to the ABS control module problem. Cannot repair this one. New one shall cost RM2k plus plus. The car detects a malfunction in your ABS, so for safety reason, you cannot change gear, stuck in 3rd gear or you can only change gear manually. If you want a second opinion, send to my mech...a very reasonable chap. PM if you want his no. He's in Kayu Ara, D'sara

 

[Alex88]

Hi Azan,

Thanks for the info. Send u a PM..


Rgds,
Alex

 

[azan23uk]

Alex,

u got PM

 

[willy5]

Apparently the M52 engined E39's are less prone to ABS controller faults, warning lights are more likely caused by broken wires of the sensors. M54 engined ones are more prone to the controller failure. Had my (M54 engine) ABS controller replaced 3 weeks ago, part cost was RM1900. Tried changing the sensors but the problem didn't go away, the warning lights came on intermittently.

 

[Alex88]

Hi Willy,

Do you mind sharing the workshop you go for the repair? Want to get a second opinion..

Thanks

 

[willy5]

Hi Alex, u got PM

 

[initialM]

Apparently the M52 engined E39's are less prone to ABS controller faults, warning lights are more likely caused by broken wires of the sensors. M54 engined ones are more prone to the controller failure. Had my (M54 engine) ABS controller replaced 3 weeks ago, part cost was RM1900. Tried changing the sensors but the problem didn't go away, the warning lights came on intermittently.

Yup I was told the same thing by my mech. It seldom faulty compare to double vanos engine. Another thing abs sensors can be repaired too. My other mech reconnect his car wire & the light gone. Just luck maybe? so far so good

 

[kacman]

I had the same problem for the last two days, suspected due to heavy rain. ASC/ABS warning lights illuminated followed shortly with loss of odometer and FC. Hati banyak susah aka BMW (Bikin Manyak Worried). Went to my trusted mechanic this morning, computer diagnosed the problem found out the rear left wheel ABS sensor fault. Physical check found that the ABS wire harness was snapped (putus due to corrosion ie wear n tear). Replaced it with some simple wiring walah, problem solved. He even refused to charge me, but I gave him 50 buck as a token for him to kina teh tarik or bir..

His sarcastic remark was 'Now German also became like Jepun one, wiring senang boleh reput then they can overcharge for those who doesnt know..' I didnt say that la heheh

 

[hakama7]

Mmm..my e39 is w the ASC one (520 1 vanos), b4 this the light on of intermittently due to the front left sensor wire 'reput' and the wire expose. After sometimes the light is 'on' permanently. i went to mech & he repaired the sensor cable but the light is still on. he swipe another ASC controller oso the light stil on..until now (2 mth oredi)..it is on hee..do no wt to do anymore..btw, the ABS light is OK..

 

[bimmer73]

Guys

Looks like my dreaded day finally came. Both my ABS and ASC light have been on for the last three days after a heavy rain. Funny thing is that the last time, this happened to me , it kinda dried itself off. After a quick blast on the highway, everthing was ok.

I have been blasting up and down the highway and still no diff . Crap. One thing which I dont understand is that if there is a fault with the ABS system, why does it effect the ACS?

Any commnets?

Thx

Check your ABS control unit. It is malfunctioning because it is very close to the Exhaust manifold. At some point your instrument clusters will go hay wire and you gear box light will come on and lock at 3rd gear.

 

[Jerman]

Check your ABS control unit. It is malfunctioning because it is very close to the Exhaust manifold. At some point your instrument clusters will go hay wire and you gear box light will come on and lock at 3rd gear.

bro,
The Owner's Manual stated the following,

Automatic transmission*
Electronic transmission control module
If the indicator lamp comes on and/or if the message "TRANS. FAILSAFE PROG" appears in the Check Control* display panel, this indicates a malfunction in the transmission control system. Bring the vehicle to a stop, select the "Park" position, apply the parking brake and shut the engine off (ignition key position 0). Restart the engine after a few seconds. If the indicator lamp goes out again after a few seconds, the normal transmission functions have been restored. You may continue to drive as usual. If the indicator lamp does not go out, you can move the selector lever to all positions. However, the vehicle will now only drive forward with limited gear selection. You should respond by avoiding extreme engine loads and referring the problem to the nearest BMW center

Your car is unable to engage 1st gear and 5th gear & the DSC light comes on. Follow the instructions stated above. If everything returns to normal, then you are lucky. If not, you need to change the ABS Module/Control Unit

p/s: you are still able to drive the car but go slow and avoid heavy loads as the car is running on limited gears!