Advice Wheel speed senors E39, (ABS Light/ASC light/No Speedo)

[Ralf*]

Problem

whilst out for a sunday drive today, suddenly the ASC warning triangle, ABS warning, NO Speedo, No aircon, happened.

Drove home VERY slowly, not sure what to expect next, and because I had onle a "seat-of-the-pants" feel for what speed I might be doing

My google skills and Youtube skills, all seem to point to a 90% certainty, that it is a wheel speed sensor, that has decided to go on holdiay

I dont have a diagnostics computor, or access to one either, and I dont want to drive very far without an Speedo

So my question for those that KNOW

1) are the sensors interchangable ie one sensor fits on any of the 4 wheel corners, or are they specific to only one side of the car, ie I would like to buy one sensor, and by process of ellimination, instal it in one then the next then the next until the problem is solved

2) In my search process I came across https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1935711-Speedometer-not-working-BMW-E39-1998, and about halfway down the page this is mentioned

LR-speedometer, odometer, trip computer
RR-cruise control
LF-steering angle
RF-gear box

If this is true, and based on my own symptoms, would it be prudent to say that my first point of call is the Left-Rear sensor, (due to no odometer)

3) Has anyone recently purchased a Wheel Speed Sensor, and what was the price, so that I know by how much to raid the Piggy-Bank with.

Any other comments or suggestions welcome

---

interesting write up of the entire system discovered here

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4205801&postcount=48

 

[Peter@AEW]

ABS control unit is broken very unlikely a speed sensor.

Take the unit off and go to Combined Electronics they may be able to help you or phone IPC

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=DM62-ZA-12-1999-E39-BMW-528i&diagId=34_0960
Number 2

 

[Ralf*]

ABS control unit is broken very unlikely a speed sensor.

Take the unit off and go to Combined Electronics they may be able to help you or phone IPC

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=DM62-ZA-12-1999-E39-BMW-528i&diagId=34_0960
Number 2

thats not the answer I was hoping for

It might be the ABS unit agreed, but after viewing more than 20 different Youtube videos, and following countless links from google, to UK bimmer forums etc, it would be silly to not at least first try the wheel speed sensors, before re-morgaging the house to afford a new/recon ABS unit

many overseas forums are also divided, but many have had success after replacing the offending wheel speed sensor, before ripping out the whole ABS unit

 

[Peter@AEW]

ABS control unit is broken very unlikely a speed sensor.

Take the unit off and go to Combined Electronics they may be able to help you or phone IPC

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=DM62-ZA-12-1999-E39-BMW-528i&diagId=34_0960
Number 2

thats not the answer I was hoping for

It might be the ABS unit agreed, but after viewing more than 20 different Youtube videos, and following countless links from google, to UK bimmer forums etc, it would be silly to not at least first try the wheel speed sensors, before re-morgaging the house to afford a new/recon ABS unit

many overseas forums are also divided, but many have had success after replacing the offending wheel speed sensor, before ripping out the whole ABS unit

come past and i will read codes if you wish....a speed sensor will cost you as much as the repair of the unit.
your call

 

[Ralf*]

come past and i will read codes if you wish....a speed sensor will cost you as much as the repair of the unit.
your call

Thanks Peter

I was under the impression, and hence my opening post, that the sensor is few hundred rands (maybe R300 or so) whilst a new/recon unit will be in the thousands of Rands

and without a Speedo, it is very unnerving to drive, if you were a few Km's away I would take you up,

 

[Ralf*]

and this morning the "fairies" magically fixed the problem

for now ?

 

[ChefDJ]

Ralf, it might also just be the alternator not charging properly. I would check this first. Same thing happened to me 2 weeks ago.

 

[Ralf*]

Ralf, it might also just be the alternator not charging properly. I would check this first. Same thing happened to me 2 weeks ago.

No alternator lights, and new battery about 4 months ago

but

I will connect up my "Avo-Meter" at home tonight, just to rule this out

 

[Ralf*]

@Peter

I just got a price of R615 for the sensor from Goldwagen

How does this compare to the price of a entirely new/recon module ?

 

[Ralf*]

 

[Ralf*]

and a short drive to fetch some spares, and the problem resurfaced again

 

[ChefDJ]

Did you check the alternator?

 

[Ralf*]

Did you check the alternator?

static batt 12.56v
under alternator charge 13.76v
no warning lights
also no codes picked up during the scan regarding alternator

 

[Ralf*]

update

1) Purchased wheel speed sensor and replaced, dammm damm damm

problem remains

2) decided to "fault" analysis the common fault report over various BMW forums the world over, that the proximity of the ASC unit to the exhaust, cuases the internal solder to break down over time

poured cold water over the ASC unit

BINGO...lights out

3) phoned BMW for a price.....
HEART ATTACK !!!
R12 335.85

4) Phoned Peter's contact in Kempton for repair quoted.....R3000 +

time to get an extension on my house bond
:smashScreen::smashScreen:

 

[JENICH]

Hey there Ralf,
I too have this problem on my E90 320d every so often.

When these lights come on, i turn the steering full lock to the Left and then full lock to the right while the car is stationery.

I keep it full lock to the right and let the car drive forward before bring the steering back to centre. This often switches off the warning lights. I notice that the lights also come on when going over a hump from an angle. Think my problem is due to the steering angle sensor.
Wonder if you have the same problem.

I too replaced the Wheel speed sensor and the problem was still persistent

Hope you come right bud

 

[Blue Shirt]

Check the steering angle sensor, sometimes it needs re-calibration and will throw the ASC warning light.

 

[Ralf*]

Check the steering angle sensor, sometimes it needs re-calibration and will throw the ASC warning light.

I will give it a try, thanks

but

I am convinced that it is a heat soak issue due to the proximity to the exhaust

If the light comes on, I open the hood, spray some water onto the ABS unit, for a few seconds
bingo lights out
can drive for about 10 minutes, until the light comes back on again

 

[JENICH]

Interesting read

Clicky

 

[Ralf*]

Check the steering angle sensor, sometimes it needs re-calibration and will throw the ASC warning light.

tried this technique
nothing changed
only cooling down the unit with cold water makes it work for a short while

 

[Solo Man]

Friend of mine also had a problem with the abs module or whatever, the one that fits on the back of the abs block. This is years ago (about 4 or 5). Took the car to Combined Electronics in Plattekloof and they fitted a second hand one after Mike (i think that is his name) tried to repair the one on the car. Cost was R4k at the time. Cannot remember what warning lights were on at the time, though.