ABS LIGH IS ON
Moderator: martauto
Hi took my rag top for a drive today but before i set off the ABS lights didn't go out so i diseded to get looked buy local garage then they found that the front break pad warning sencer was cut off so when't and replace the front break pad sencer thinking it would sort the broblem but hasn't, then someone told me need to look at abs sencer but its my first time i have done brakes my self if any one know or have an idea what it could be??//
Have a look up under the glove box inside cover. there is a aluminum relay there which has a fuse wire inside which blows.
Look on the web there are a few "How to" Fix it downloads.
Did this on my sons 318i. light out in 10 min's no fuss
worth a go before you drive your self wild looking for sensor problems that don't exist.
Look on the web there are a few "How to" Fix it downloads.
Did this on my sons 318i. light out in 10 min's no fuss
worth a go before you drive your self wild looking for sensor problems that don't exist.
- Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 49358
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Pad warning sensor is nothing to do with the ABS system. The fact that the sensor has been bodged just tells you that the car has been owned/serviced by a cowboy, so be on the lookout for other bodges!
If the ABS light didn't go out after starting the car, but before driving off, you do not have a sensor problem.
The silver relay referred to above is only fitted to early cars (to about mid '89, IIRC), and it's failure would cause the light to be permanently on with ignition.
The relay is an excess voltage protection relay, and is not intended to be repaired, and most certainly can't be, if the zener diode inside it has blown. At the very least, the diode should be tested.
Did you jump start the car or use a booster pack?
If the ABS light didn't go out after starting the car, but before driving off, you do not have a sensor problem.
The silver relay referred to above is only fitted to early cars (to about mid '89, IIRC), and it's failure would cause the light to be permanently on with ignition.
The relay is an excess voltage protection relay, and is not intended to be repaired, and most certainly can't be, if the zener diode inside it has blown. At the very least, the diode should be tested.
Did you jump start the car or use a booster pack?
- Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 49358
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
That will be the cause of the problem! Almost certainly the over voltage relay blown.mariamu wrote:jump start through my other car does that make a different?????
Valiantly laid down its life to protect the ABS electronics.



