E36 ABS & Traction Control Dash Light

Post Tue Jan 10, 2012 1:51 pm

Anyone know if there is a common fault that means the traction control & ABS light is lit on the dash?

Have been to look at a car which seems promising, the only problem is this light on the dash.

Is it likely to be costly to fix or an MOT fail?

Post Tue Jan 10, 2012 2:14 pm

Guaranteed MOT fail

It could be a wheel sensor OR it could be the ABS module

Allow several hundred pounds off for a worst case scenario.
Obviously the owner will say it just came on yesterday and his mate down the pub can fix it for £20, good, get it fixed loser !

Post Tue Jan 10, 2012 2:24 pm

Thanks Pete.

It's a part-ex that a dealer is selling. Had a flat battery, so not sure how long the lights have been on. Was only MOT'd in November so it shouldn't have been an issue then.

Seller has agreed to get it on diagnostics machine to see what fault codes are stored ... watch this space!

Post Tue Jan 10, 2012 4:45 pm

Being MOT'd recently counts for nothing unless you actually got under the car when it was up on the ramps and saw all the checks with your own eyes.

My Touring had a fresh MOT on it when I bought it last Year - but there was stuff down as advisories that were absolute fails and some stuff ( Including a permanently on ABS lamp ) which had been ignored completely.

At least if its from a dealer you have some comeback

Post Fri Jan 13, 2012 4:53 pm

What year and model E36 is it? I had to replace the ABS / ASC pump module on my 1999 318is. Turns out late models use ABS / ASC modules that can be prone to failing due to soldered joins perishing or splitting inside the ECU part of the unit.

This can be repaired relatively easily and very cheaply DIY if you're that way inclined. I managed to source a working used unit for £80 online and swapped it over which sorted it. So, worst case scenario might not be all that bad...!

And best case scenario (and also most likely) is a duff sensor on one of the wheels, which are about £20-30 to buy new.

Post Fri Jan 13, 2012 5:24 pm

BBA reman are your friend.

Post Fri Jan 13, 2012 6:15 pm

I've got a good used ABS/ASC module here. They're generally reliable and nowhere near as bad as the 001 units on E39's. If it's been sat with a flat battery, it might cure itself with a fully charged battery and a drive. Either way I wouldn't worry about it too much if the car itself is clean/cheap enough.

Post Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:07 pm

Thanks for the advice.

Have decided to take the plunge and buy it, hoping it's the battery or wheel sensor. Have haggled on the price so i'm happy.

Roll on tomorrow afternoon!

Post Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:36 am

What is it? Model, year?