DSC/ABS Trifecta + No speedo

[jacobpt]

Finally picked up an e86 at the weekend; after a lengthy search, and absolutely love it, unfortunately on the drive home I was met with some lights on the dash:

Initially intermittent, flashing on for a second randomly; but is new permanent - the seemingly common DSC triad (DSC, Tyre Pressure, Abs (!)) accompanied by a beep when setting off.

I bought a creator 310+ to scan these and recovered these codes:
5E38 DSC sensor: rotation rate, plausibility
5D8F DSC sensor: internal fault
5D99 DSC sensor: no data connection
5D8C DSC sensor: no data connection

I cleared these codes, and only one refused to budge - 5D8C; although I haven’t driven since so I imagine the others may also return.

Secondly, an engine light - which was present when purchasing the vehicle; but disappeared after about 1hr 30 on the motorway. And then returned the next day after some short trips. Again I read the code, 2C7F DME: Lambda Control 2, and cleared - which is yet to return.

I do try to do my own work where possible, but admittedly don’t have a lots of experience doing so - just wondering if anybody has had similar codes and could point me in the right direction. My thoughts would be a poor connection on abs/dsc sensors (i’ve also read other reason the triad cane come up, eg. Yaw sensor) a new o2 sensor?

Any tips or knowledge would be much appreciated

 

[enuff_zed]

Hope you don't mind me commenting, but I have a vision of your car not being able to dance properly now.

It's a LAMBDA code.

 

[jacobpt]

:rofl: :rofl: got me there

 

[Dr. Zed]

I had the trio of lights and it was caused by the brake sensor. The thing you'll need to do is find out which one is causing yours though.

As for the engine light, I had something similar too. Turned out to be an old electrical gremlin. Engine light came on and when scanning it, it told me there was a misfire and it was running rich due to an O2 sensor. I replaced both pre cat ones and it did nothing. Eventually brought it to a specialist and he charhed me 50 quid just to clear it (my scanner wouldn't clear them, needed a better one).

So it all sounds very similar to mine..

 

[jacobpt]

Yes eerily similar Dr. Zed

Unfortunately theres now more to add, 6 this morning I set off for an early blast in the North Yorkshire Moors - I quickly had to cancel those plans and turn back home:

New dash lights joining the trio:
(ABS)
(!) Now red

New symptom:
Speedo completely dead

Checked all my codes and I believe they all point towards a wheel speed sensor issue - as the car seems to have no clue how fast it’s going.

However, my slight worry is that I can no longer get any connection with the ABS/DSC module - I could happily read codes before these developments, but now am unable to even connect to it with my reader..

my question is, would this suggest a fault bigger than wheel speed sensors; my hope is that it isn’t ABS pump related

 

[enuff_zed]

The speedo is fed from the rear left abs sensor if that helps.

 

[jacobpt]

Cheers enuff_zed, saved me some searching - New wheel speed sensor for the rear left arriving tomorrow, will see if that sorts things

 

[jacobpt]

Fitted new wheel speed sensor, had high hopes as the old one looked pretty ancient and mucky (also slightly scratched on its surface, which is probably not ideal)

Unfortunately this solved nothing - and I am still completely unable to connect to the ABS module on my code reader.
In addition to the live wheel speed reading being 80kph at all times (which Im assuming is just a default number due to the car not being able to obtain a reading at all)

This all leads me to the believe that my actual ABS module/pump is probably dead.

I’ve read on here that I can maybe get this repaired for £3/400; is there anything else I should be checking before I have to shell out for that?

Not the greatest of starts to owning this car :roll:

 

[bigwinn]

One of your codes says no Can communication

I’d check your can bus is functioning ok- before heading off into DSc/ABS pump issues

Also have you taken the car for a spin after replacing the sensor? Sometimes they need to recalibrate

 

[jacobpt]

Cheers bigwinn, hadn’t thought to check that out - any best way to do so?

Took the car round the block, 2 mins driving tops - is it worth doing a longer trip maybe?

The fact that me not being able to read Abs/dsc codes coincided with the speedo failing and red handbrake light is what concerns me

 

[jacobpt]

Continuing this to document the journey
Went to start to the car tonight and it wouldn't turn over.
Dead/almost dead battery - I was in a rush to leave so ran round the corner to halfords and came back to install a new battery. Car now turns over and drives as it should (bar the dsc issues) - brilliant.

Just wondering if the battery being drained could be linked to my issues? If something has caused the Abs module to give up, could this cause other issues and drain the battery?
Or is it just coincidence
I also gave the fuses a quick check and all seemed to be okay at a glance.

 

[thecremeegg]

These cars are very sensitive to battery voltage - anything less than perfect and they get very upset.

 

[Street]

No comms to the DSC would indicate to me a dead DSC ECU. I’ve never had a creator code reader and my ISTA diagnostics always seem to pull different data.

If it’s a DSC issue I’d be looking for a second hand one and coding it personally. I’m up in Newcastle if you want a trip out and a friend to fight it together.

 

[lucasxdiniz]

Hi, OP.

I would advise actually running an ISTA diagnostics on your car. It will show far more than your OBDII reader.

If no one local to you can run a free scan on your car, buy a D-Can Cable and I'll send you the software. If you need help, I can remote in and set it up for you.

If it is the ABS unit, ECU Testing is the name of the company that always pops up. I thought it was £150ish, rather than £3/400. I can see that job being annoying, but not hard.

 

[Simon 3.2M]

Hi OP, is this the car from London that had water damage / ingress?

 

[jacobpt]

These cars are very sensitive to battery voltage - anything less than perfect and they get very upset.

Yep, checked the voltage of the old battery and it was slightly low and discharged quickly under a small amount of load. The car is turning over fine now, so it’s likely just an annoying coincidence.

 

[jacobpt]

Hi, OP.

I would advise actually running an ISTA diagnostics on your car. It will show far more than your OBDII reader.

If no one local to you can run a free scan on your car, buy a D-Can Cable and I'll send you the software. If you need help, I can remote in and set it up for you.

If it is the ABS unit, ECU Testing is the name of the company that always pops up. I thought it was £150ish, rather than £3/400. I can see that job being annoying, but not hard.

I managed to secure an old windows laptop at the weekend, and will get the cable ordered tonight. If you could send the software that would be great, thank you!

Cheers ECU testing seem to be the name I’ve seen most, I might be getting mixed up with abs pump vs the module replacement pricing

 

[jacobpt]

Hi OP, is this the car from London that had water damage / ingress?

I do remember seeing that one in my search
But no, it was meant to be a car in fairly good nick, owned by a forum member for the last 8 years, and he bought it on here too!
So yeah no evidence of water/flood damage to my eyes
I just seem to be getting a bad run of luck, last last night it continued with what I think is a deteriorated gasket or a split in the down-pipe; currently sounds like a moped :|

 

[jacobpt]

No comms to the DSC would indicate to me a dead DSC ECU. I’ve never had a creator code reader and my ISTA diagnostics always seem to pull different data.

If it’s a DSC issue I’d be looking for a second hand one and coding it personally. I’m up in Newcastle if you want a trip out and a friend to fight it together.

Yeah my gut agrees with you; I have it booked in with a local Bmw specialist (The Workshop Leeds) on monday for a second opinion. Might take you up on that offer dependant on what the outcome is :rofl:

 

[Street]

No comms to the DSC would indicate to me a dead DSC ECU. I’ve never had a creator code reader and my ISTA diagnostics always seem to pull different data.

If it’s a DSC issue I’d be looking for a second hand one and coding it personally. I’m up in Newcastle if you want a trip out and a friend to fight it together.

Yeah my gut agrees with you; I have it booked in with a local Bmw specialist (The Workshop Leeds) on monday for a second opinion. Might take you up on that offer dependant on what the outcome is :rofl:

Look forward to hearing more