asc abs light now on

[NikG]

I have just installed a new brake pad censor and now 150miles later the ASC and ABS light has now come on. This car is a great car if only the dash board didn't have less lights on than a christmas tree

I am looking for suggestions that may help me in my hour of need as I am a builder and not a mechanic

[Manolito]

Don't have my Bentley's handy, so this is the generic "mechanics 101" answer. There should be a speed sensor at each wheel that tells the antilock brakes and the ABS how fast each wheel is turning. There is likely a toothed wheel spinning with the wheel, and a magnetic sensor mounted a few thousandths of an inch from the toothed wheel that senses when each tooth goes through the sensor's magnetic field. The sensor is the part of the system that gets the most vibration, moisture, and abuse, so it is the most likely failure point. On the rear, the sensors may be next to the differential rather than out at the wheels.

If you don't have a lift, you'll need to pull off each wheel and check that sensor and its wire. Everything should be intact, and all four sensors should be about the same distance from the toothed wheels. Check along the wire for as far as you can trace it to be sure that the wire has not chaffed against something and worn through the insulation. If you can't find anything visibly wrong, you will probably have to pay a shop to pull codes and tell you where the problem is.

[NikG]

Thanks i will start ripping the wheels of as i dont have a lift just hope this aint to bad

[Manolito]

Oh, I forgot to mention that the toothed wheel should be relatively clean, not packed with mud. Mud problem would not be expected on street vehicles, though.

[Manolito]

Found some info on e36 ABS. Suspect that e46 would be similar, but wiring diagram and specs may differ.
BMW ABS Repair Description

[NikG]

Cheers Manolito i will look over it hopefully not to different

[Paycheck713]

Wow, I didnt realize they were that essential, well I accidentally broke the two ones on the front wheels, have any idea where I can replace them at or where I can order them from?

[Manolito]

You may end up at the dealer. My usual parts supplier does not even list them. Bimmerparts.com lists them in their catalog, but does not have them available now. If BimmerParts can't get them, it is doubtful that they are available from other than the dealer.

[Paycheck713]

Man everything at the dealer is so overpriced, Im going to check on that, thanks. So you usually shop on Bimmerparts.com, good service and prices?

[Manolito]

I have bought lots of car parts on line from many vendors. I have four cars in the family and three of them are very high mileage vehicles. BimmerParts.com is good, but not the lowest cost provider.

Look for suppliers that tell you what brand the part is, and whether that supplier supplies that part to BMW. Note that the BMW part and the OEM supplier part may be two different parts made in two different countries, although they were made by the same manufacturer. For example, the brake rotors you buy on line are generally made in Mexico. The ones on your car came from the same manufacturer, but they were not made in Mexico. Generally, however, OEM manufacturer parts are just fine. I have Mexican Brembos on one of my e36s and they are perfect, and 1/4 the price of buying rotors at the dealer.

The on-line vendor I use most often is Autohaus Arizona. They are very cost-competitive, they ship quickly (free shipping for purchases over $50). On the rare occasion that they make a mistake, they fix it immediately with no argument.

PS If you think BMW dealer parts prices are high, you should go shopping for Volvo parts! The difference between on-line OEM and dealer price for Volvo parts is dramatic.

[mpower318i]

The Euro Depot- New and Used BMW Mail Order Parts Specialist all BMW junk yard with quality new and used parts.

[mpower318i]

unplug the sensors and tak a resistance reading to see wich one is not like the other three, if there is anything wrong you'll know it and it will be number that is really low relative to the other three sensors.