ABS Relay

[Triple L]

Hiya,

I have a 1989 325i Sport, which currently has it's ABS light on, on the dash. I'm 99% convinced it's the relay, because the light stays on through cranking and starting.

I've read the Wiki guide, but I'm unsure whether mine is of the 'earlier' or 'later' type. So on my 1989 where will the culprit relay be; on top of the pump or underneath the glovebox near the ABS ecu? Is the case that you need to replace both or just the one on top of the pump/underneath the dash?

Where is the best place to buy said relay from?

Cheers in advance,

[Brianmoooore]

All ABS systems have the two relays on top of the pump. The early one's have the extra relay in the glove box.
An '89 one will probably be the earlier type, with the relay.
If the zener diode in them hasn't blown, they are (unofficially) repairable, preferably by fitting an in line external fuse.
The only place I expect you will get a new one is from BMW. Parts like this from ECP/GSF, if they can supply them, tend to be as expensive, or more so, as from BMW.

[Triple L]

Cool,

Nice one dude, sorry for the question, it was just confusion arising from the Wiki article. I'll have a proper go at getting it out tomorrow. The relay below the glovebox is the one with the stainless appearance isn't it. Should be the case (as another member said) of removing the top and soldering in some 5amp cable from a TV cable or similar in...

Wish me luck lol.
Cheers,
Tom.

[davse30]

yes mate just done mine , when you get the relay out remove the outer casing, you will see the melted fusable link ,if still intact this is not your problem

http://www.chriscounter.co.uk/e30zone/week1/8.jpg

if broken/melted cut a 1inch piece of flex off a tv ,hairdryer anything strip it back and use either brown blue or green/yellow cable ,strip this to leave copper strands each strand is rated at 5amp, solder one of these strands across the two terminals where the soldered link has blown ,then refit to the car , job done

[Triple L]

Well,

All done and dusted within 20 minutes, thanks for the help Brian and Dave

Was a lot easier than even I though it would be opened the glovebox and didn't have to undo/release anything, my relay was clipped in right behind the metal tray so could see the stainless top when I undid it. Pulled the relay through on it's little loom, unplugged. Went inside in the warm, got some of the 5amp cable that I had on a reel from Halfrauds ages ago, got one strand, soldered it in and et voila when plugged back in the ABS light went out!

Yay! Now have all green lights, no warning lights, so a very happy man!

Thanks,
Tom.