ABS System failure!!Advise needed please. - BMW Forum

BMWstealth · 10-09-2005, 11:28 PM

Hello All-

My car 325i was not started for 30 days as i was away and i had tried turn the ignition ON today and it wont start and shows the ABS light ON(the one with the Triangle Symbol).Is this something strange or kind of major problem with my car? Please advise me what to do.

Just earlier to that i took it to a local mechanic who specialises in European cars at San jose,CA since all the Coolant was leaking on the Road.He informed the Hoses were Broken and thats why the coolant was leaking.It hoses were old and have to changed once in 40K Miles.

Please advise me about the ABS thing.

Thanks

zibby · 10-09-2005, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWstealth

Hello All-

My car 325i was not started for 30 days as i was away and i had tried turn the ignition ON today and it wont start and shows the ABS light ON(the one with the Triangle Symbol).Is this something strange or kind of major problem with my car? Please advise me what to do.

Just earlier to that i took it to a local mechanic who specialises in European cars at San jose,CA since all the Coolant was leaking on the Road.He informed the Hoses were Broken and thats why the coolant was leaking.It hoses were old and have to changed once in 40K Miles.

Please advise me about the ABS thing.

Thanks

So, is your car running or not? if is not running , how do you now there is problem with ABS/DSC? After engine starts, ABS/DSC lights should go off. You have to be more specific on car condition!

BMWstealth · 10-09-2005, 11:48 PM

Zibby,

The car wont start at all. But the Head Lights,Indicators,Inside Lights all work well.When i try starting,The ABS(the Triangle Symbol is the one stays ON) glows. Wondering if its a Battery problem or something else since i haven't started for 30 Days or so.

zibby · 10-09-2005, 11:57 PM

Yeah! with that symptoms looks like battery is dead. Try to jump start, then you see. Good luck!

zibby · 10-10-2005, 12:05 AM

BTW this triangle orange light in the center, is not ABS, it is DSC(dynamic stability control), it glows because the voltage is to low due to weak battery.

BMWstealth · 10-10-2005, 07:19 AM

Can i start jumpstart the Battery myself or do i need to take help from AAA Guys or some Mechanic??

Does this Dead Battery if that's the reason for not starting my Car,will it have any long term impact on my car like some more problems later on?or is it a one time issue.

i hope its just the Battery issue!! Thanks

Fangs · 10-10-2005, 08:00 AM

Yes, you can jumpstart the battery yourself. A lot of E46's have the battery itself in the trunk, but there is a Positive terminal under the hood. You just hookup the negative to a unpainted bolt within the engine compartment.

You will want to leave it runnig for about half an hour (or more) to recharge - or take it to an Autozone who will have a battery charger. Letting it run is easier...

Regarding long term impact, it's hard to tell. Your battery may have been weak to begin with, you just didn't know... Once you get it charged up, it will become obvious. If it doesn't start again, you will need to replace it. You don't have to buy a OEM BMW battery either...

Fangs · 10-10-2005, 08:01 AM

Autozone will also be able to check your alternator to see if that is the problem. Might be worth checking if you are still having problems after the initial charge up...

peterkulesza · 10-10-2005, 12:05 PM

if you need a new battery buy interstate only. other aftermarket AND what is sold by bmw dealers (as bmw part) are not as good, and some have the hydrogen vents in the wrong spot.

rxpert26 · 10-12-2005, 08:20 PM

My dealership told me that a BMW needs to be driven atleast once every two weeks. Apparently the car keeps lots of info in memory, which uses the battery even when it's not driven. However, it recharges itself (to some degree) when you drive it at least every couple of days.