Intermittent 3 warning lights on dash

Weelawser · Post by **Weelawser** » Mon Dec 03, 2018 3:15 pm

Folks,

Three warning lights coming on every now and again, tried to see if there is any specific conditions related to them coming on however doesn't seem to be a pattern.
Sometimes they go off after stopping the car and don't come back on for days, or on other occasions they stay on then disappear after start up.
The engine management light is another issue

Any ideas ?
2007 3.0 Si

ph001 · Post by **ph001** » Mon Dec 03, 2018 3:28 pm

It's all very speculative without a code reader on it but I would hazard a guess at the ABS pump. That doesn't normally bring the engine management light on though so could be an additional problem there. Any symptoms, does it drive OK? ECUtesting can sort the ABS pump out for you if it turns out to be that or you could have a crack at it yourself if you are handy with a spanner. First page of this post will get you familiar with it all.... viewtopic.php?f=2&t=101022

Typical dash error light combinations...

1) DSC + ABS = ABS pump.
2) DSC + handbrake (in yellow) = pressure sensor
3) DSC + ABS + handbrake (in red) = wheel speed sensor.
4) DSC + ABS + handbrake (in yellow) + tyre pressure = wheel speed sensor.
5) DSC + ABS + handbrake (in yellow) = steering angle sensor fault / ABS pump.
6) DSC permanently on = steering angle sensor calibration issue / yaw sensor / lat accel sensor.

There are other combinations of faulty sensors which can cause similar lights but the above are the common ones.

Weelawser · Post by **Weelawser** » Mon Dec 03, 2018 4:38 pm

Thanks,
The Hill assist and I presume the Traction control disengages when all lights are on, when braking there is a tangible difference when depressing the brake pedal. May not be associated but the handbrake has to really be pulled all the way to hold the z on any hill, in fact i don't really trust it to be honest.
The management light is a totally separate issue, I have a code reader so will have a look but suspect coil packs as the engine stutters also on acceleration however without reading any codes its a stab in the dark as you so rightly say.

Cheers for the info,

Paul

ph001 · Post by **ph001** » Mon Dec 03, 2018 5:05 pm

Yeh, you lose all 'enhanced braking and stability functions' when those lights are on which includes ABS, DSC & hill assist, but the brakes should still work effectively (as long as the wheels are not locking up).

The handbrake is completely mechanical so I can't quite see how it could be connected to the dash lights. I think you will find most E85/E86 handbrakes a bit rubbish. They can be adjusted by removing a road wheel and turning a small spur gear with a flat blade screwdriver.

As you say, code reader obligatory but I wouldn't be surprised to see a 5DF5, 5DF0 or 5DF1 code come up.

Weelawser · Post by **Weelawser** » Mon Jan 14, 2019 7:09 pm

Sorry for the late reply, however codes off my c110 scanner are SDF4 & SDF1, which I guess point towards ABS pump ?
As mentioned before the lights are not on permanently, they are intermittent and I can reset with the scanner if they don't go off but no mention of wheel speed sensors, are they worth checking before I start removing the pump

ph001 · Post by **ph001** » Tue Jan 15, 2019 12:22 am

Yeh, your SDF1 is probably a 5DF1, maybe your are mixing the S for a 5??? Anyway, if so it is your ABS pump as suspected.

Weelawser · Post by **Weelawser** » Tue Jan 15, 2019 12:40 am

Thanks, yes had another look i stand corrected it is a 5....Damn was hoping to get away with a sensor.

ph001 · Post by **ph001** » Tue Jan 15, 2019 1:20 pm

Oh well, at least you know what it is. BMW should be crucified for not specifying that motor to be brushless to be honest.

Z4-forum.com

Z4-forum.com