E39 Antilock Control Module Problem =( - BMW Forum

tyhran · 06-22-2008, 04:32 PM

noob here. my ABS control module is messed up and is ruining everything! the shop said that its even affecting my tranny...i own a 2001 525i...asked the dealer for price and it is $2600 for cars with stability control, and $700 for cars w/o.
-what are my options?
-what do i do!?
-any suggestions are greatly appreciated

witeshark · 06-22-2008, 04:45 PM

What exactly is it doing?

darkhorse737 · 06-22-2008, 05:43 PM

for starters... i need to ask if your car is equipped with stability control.

ABS light ON?... why do u say your ABS is giving you probs?

messing up your tranny..? i dont think so. Your shop isn't advising you correctly.

Dirty_Tool · 06-22-2008, 10:36 PM

if its an 01 525i in the USA then it has traction control. It absolutely can be affecting the transmission. The ABS module is connected to the engine and transmission modules by the CAN bus. If the module is shorting out it can pull the can bus down and create problems with the engine and the transmission electronics. it can put the transmission in to failsafe and you will only have 3rd gear. The price does seem a bit high tho. you may want to shop around a little. i think you should be able to get it done for under $1500.
where are you located?

tyhran · 06-22-2008, 11:36 PM

yes my car has DSC, ABS light is not on, nd im in Brooklyn, NY
after my car heats up the tranny light comes on and the gears downshift nd upshift rough, not smoooth as they usually do. then if i turn my car off, nd then on, the tranny works fine for another ten minutes. oh and my battery constantly dies... =/

witeshark · 06-22-2008, 11:39 PM

Maybe the tranny fluid needs changing. Might wanna check the alternator.

Dirty_Tool · 06-23-2008, 12:12 AM

well, if u want to see if their diagnosis is correct just disconnect the DSC module for a few days and see if your problems go away. (Of course keep in mind that DSC will be disabled) If so then they were right, if not then take it back to them and ask them to recheck it.

darkhorse737 · 06-23-2008, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyhran

yes my car has DSC, ABS light is not on, nd im in Brooklyn, NY
after my car heats up the tranny light comes on and the gears downshift nd upshift rough, not smoooth as they usually do. then if i turn my car off, nd then on, the tranny works fine for another ten minutes. oh and my battery constantly dies... =/

if that was my car, given what has been said... I would have someone pull up the codes for both ABS & tranny, and engine, and see what the computer diagnostics say; and go from there...

in the absence of that... I will take my chances on the rear ABS sensors.

REASON: If you factor out the interplay of parts common to ABS and DSC, you'll find that the DSC(traction control) gets it's reference signals from the rear ABS module. From there go upstream - there's no point in wasting $xxxx when the culprit is a $35.- part

pj.melendez · 06-24-2008, 08:53 AM

Your E39 may have the Bosch 5.7 ABS module; give a call to the guys at Circuit Solutions,(1-888-892-0764) they will repair your for about $300, to remove it is very simple 4 bolts.

tyhran · 06-26-2008, 09:22 PM

UPDATE, horrible news, i officially have the worst of luck...
-i purchased a used control module with a warranty ($570)
-i purchased a brand new radiator ($220)
-i gave all the parts to my local repair shop and they took a day to fix it ($120 for service)
-i picked up my car, the repairsman checked the car again, even diagnosted it, seemed fine
-the little plastic screw broke, so my coolant leaked.
-i spent hours looking for one since the BMW dealership was closed, found one, fixed that problem.
-i clean my whole car, took me hours, lastly i go to the car wash....ready to go out on my car that i have missed for two weeks.
-i come out of the car wash and THE BRAKES DON'T WORK...they were really hard to press on, and i barely stopped.
-i Shut off my engine, and turned it back on, the brakes started working, but service engine light came on and my car started rattling...
-then my car wouldnt accelerate as fast as it used to...barely kept up with traffic on my way home.
WTF IS HAPPENING =( im so upset i dont know what to do anymore...is it my spark plugs?then what about the brakes!?

darkhorse737 · 06-26-2008, 09:51 PM

BRAKES: have much less stopping ability when wet... try them again once they are dry. If they still feel "different" from the old setup... then something is wrong with the used module... or the install.

SERVICE LIGHT ON: have you car scanned for codes before you jump to any conclusions...

possibly, you may have "wet" damaged something while in the wash :-(

*stay kewl...