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Hey everyone i have an issue with a 2004 e46 320d bmw, thing is when i bought it, it would show up 3 abs warning lights when i drove over 65mph i scanned it and it showed me that there was a stering angle sensor a yaw sensor and the 2 codes for the front right speed sensor, so i took out the front speed sensor and cleaned it and that solved the problem with the abs lights coming up on the dash even at 100mph they dont come back so thats fine but the problem is that when i scan the abs system it still shows all original 4 issues but there are no warning lights on dash and i cant seem to delete them with the scanner im using an autel eu702 they just keep showing up with rescan. should i fix these sensors or just leave it be will the abs work ok if it doesnt flash warnings on dash. The sensor for the steering wheel is expensive and difficult to fit so is the yaw sensor.the only problem I can feel with my brakes is that there a little grabby at slow crawling speeds.
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Yaw and steering sensors are used by the ESP system, so if fitted that will not work.
As long as you don’t have an error light i think the ABS should work (you should test it).If you want the ABS and ESP systems to work properly then yes, you should repair those sensors. However the vehicle should work just fine without those systems but it’s likely going to be more difficult to drive.
My esp does work as far as I can tell it comes on when I get a bit sideways. Abs I’m not 100% if that’s working brakes seem ok though.
The steering angle and yaw sensors only become important when bad things are happening in front of you. Correct function could mean the difference between an accident and no accident.
Anyway, the first thing I would do is take it somewhere that has the correct equipment for erasing the codes. Maybe what you did with the wheel sensor fixed the entire problem.
A lot of the BMW sensors can’t be dealt with unless you have a BMW specific scan tool. (On my car, the Air Bag light has been on for the past 3 years and I haven’t gotten around to taking it to someone to scan yet) You could buy one, or take the car to a dealer/Indy BMW specialist.
Apparently wonky sensors a common problem for E46/39 models.
You might find this link useful: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4205801&postcount=48
[quote=”ray1905″ post=105102]My esp does work as far as I can tell it comes on when I get a bit sideways. Abs I’m not 100% if that’s working brakes seem ok though.[/quote]
1. The ABS is either working or automatically disabled due to a fault. There is nothing in between. If the system has a fault and is disabled you will get the ABS warning light and you will have no ABS. All the ABS does is to prevent your brakes locking up. The sensor picks it up and the system releases brake pressure (off and on )on the wheel or wheels affected. If in doubt you can test your brakes in a large empty car park. You will feel the brake pedal pulsating when the ABS kicks in under very heavy braking to allow the wheel about to lock up to keep rotating and thus retain grip. The bottom line is that if there was still a fault with the ABS you would have a warning on the dash.
How your brakes feel under normal operating conditions when ABS does not kick in to prevent lock up is entirely unrelated to the ABS in your car. If your brakes feel unduly “grabby” as you described it above in your post that is a brake mechanical issue and has nothing to do with whether the ABS is functioning or disabled.
2. Likewise with the Electronic Stability program on your car. If there is a specific fault such as a dead sensor or sensors required to operate the stability control system you will get a warning light on the dash and the system will be disabled. I assume you have a switch on your model which enables the stability control system to be manually de-activated and then turned back on again by the driver. Most cars do. Just make sure that the ES has been turned on. If it is active and you have no electronic stability fault indicator flash up on the dash display then the system will be operating normally. If you get an ES fault display on the dash then the stability control will be automatically disabled and will stay that way until the fault is rectified.
Cameron
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