Flashing Traction Control.

[tug]

I recently replaced my lower arms (wishbones) and have not had the tracking or alignment done just yet. But now i have occasionally, especially when going round a corner, a flashing traction light, and the car pulls back and kangaroo's for just a few seconds then drives normally until the next time. However if i turn the traction control off this does not happen.

Can anyone point me in the right direction before spending money, will having the tracking done resolve this, or could it be a reluctor ring? There are no codes being thrown.

I also recently replaced the RNS ABS sensor and all was good until this.

I appreciate any advice, Thanks, tug

 

[enuff_zed]

I recently replaced my lower arms (wishbones) and have not had the tracking or alignment done just yet. But now i have occasionally, especially when going round a corner, a flashing traction light, and the car pulls back and kangaroo's for just a few seconds then drives normally until the next time. However if i turn the traction control off this does not happen.

Can anyone point me in the right direction before spending money, will having the tracking done resolve this, or could it be a reluctor ring? There are no codes being thrown.

I appreciate any advice, Thanks, tug

Just replied on the other thread.
Definitely need to get the tracking done first or you'll be chasing other stuff.
Get that done and see what happens.
Could be coincidental, but need to revisit everything you've had done first, to eliminate that as a possibility.

 

[tug]

Thanks mate, have just replied to your reply on the other thread :lol:

Yes, i will get the tracking done soon as and post up if it cures it, Thanks

 

[bigwinn]

Deffo what he said! Tracking is the first to check and has solved this for me when I had the same issue in the past

 

[raymond.harper]

I recently replaced the lower arms on my SLK. The electronics had a fit throwing up three fault codes. Much to my relief, a simple tracking fixed it.

 

[tug]

Well, had a full Hunter alignment done, and didn't solve it But, the car feels 100 times better to drive now :lol:

Now i'm thinking reluctor ring or a failing ABS sensor.

Thanks fellers for the replies, when i get it sorted i will post the conclusion.

 

[enuff_zed]

Well, had a full Hunter alignment done, and didn't solve it But, the car feels 100 times better to drive now :lol:

Now i'm thinking reluctor ring or a failing ABS sensor.

Thanks fellers for the replies, when i get it sorted i will post the conclusion.

Ah damn. Code reader to see which corner?

 

[tug]

Its not throwing any codes yet mate, as it just randomly flashes. For now i just turn the DTC off before moving, if it is a reluctor being forced to move closer to the sensor from years of crud build up underneath then sooner or later it will touch and set off the xmas tree effect :lol:

When it does i will get it sorted. I might be wrong, have not gone into it but i believe there are only 2 ABS sensors, NSR & OSF. I have not long replaced the rear sensor (no speedo) so am thinking it could possibly be the front. Whatever it is i will just replace with new.

Thanks for the advice lads.

 

[srhutch]

I would look at the ABS rings first. I had the same iss on a E87. If it was a sensor I think you’d get a code.

 

[enuff_zed]

Its not throwing any codes yet mate, as it just randomly flashes. For now i just turn the DTC off before moving, if it is a reluctor being forced to move closer to the sensor from years of crud build up underneath then sooner or later it will touch and set off the xmas tree effect :lol:

When it does i will get it sorted. I might be wrong, have not gone into it but i believe there are only 2 ABS sensors, NSR & OSF. I have not long replaced the rear sensor (no speedo) so am thinking it could possibly be the front. Whatever it is i will just replace with new.

Thanks for the advice lads.

There are four sensors. One in each corner. Rear left does the speedo. Could have disturbed the ring?
Only the rears have rings on, the fronts are raised castellations on the hub

 

[tug]

Aaah, thanks for that Martin, now i know, i think a revisit is needed, if it is that one or the other side and of course if it is a reluctor i will just replace the drive shaft with new. When i get it sorted i will report back so as to help anyone else with the same situation.

Thanks all.

 

[enuff_zed]

Aaah, thanks for that Martin, now i know, i think a revisit is needed, if it is that one or the other side and of course if it is a reluctor i will just replace the drive shaft with new. When i get it sorted i will report back so as to help anyone else with the same situation.

Thanks all.

Did you do those front arms yourself?
Any great force or heat applied anywhere near those front sensors?

As you say, you may be in the position of waiting for it to fail permanently to get a code.
And of course if you switch it off that may not happen. :roll:

 

[tug]

Yes me and me mate replaced the arms but that was about 8 weeks ago mate, the problem only started a couple of weeks ago. There was no heat or "violence" used on the zed while doing this, it was pretty straight forward to be fair.

 

[enuff_zed]

Yes me and me mate replaced the arms but that was about 8 weeks ago mate, the problem only started a couple of weeks ago. There was no heat or "violence" used on the zed while doing this, it was pretty straight forward to be fair.

Always worth a check. Just need to read the codes then when it locks in. Hopefully an easy fix.

 

[tug]

Well, the trifecta are permanently on now so will be booking it in. Should be done by t' wikend.

 

[enuff_zed]

Well, the trifecta are permanently on now so will be booking it in. Should be done by t' wikend.

Did you get this fixed?

 

[tug]

In the middle of it mate, got back from wok and took the back wheel off (its the rear O/S sensor) Then couldnt find me 5mm hex, so give it a good squirt of WD for overnight and went on the p!ss, :lol: will resume this mornin and let you know how i get on :?

 

[tug]

Well, turns out i can't do it. :x After 2 hours of trying to get the hex out that holds the sensor down without success, i drilled it a little wider and hammered a torx bit into it, that shifted the b4stard !!!

Then, with not much effort, pulled the sensor out. Unpacked my new sensor to make sure it matched which it did

Carried on unclipping the arch liner expecting the sensor plug to be there, BUT NO!!! Following the lead, it goes through a hole in the sub frame and disappears into the middle of the car somewhere!! :x

Whoever at BMW thought a hex bolt was a good idea, needs a massive kick in the nads!

Also, now i know why there is no video on youtube showing how to do this particular corner of the car. So unless anybody knows where the connector is situated, which would be a great help, i will have to admit defeat and pay someone to do it for me.

A bit p!ssed off to be fair, Cheers, tug

 

[smorris_12]

I always find the RealOEM diagrams surprisingly good for understanding how things fit, unless there's absolutely no orientation information.

 

[tug]

Well, finally got it sorted. This morning i got the zed up on axle stands with a much clearer head and started tracing the sensor lead and within a few minutes found the enclosing wallet for the sensor.

For anyone doing the same, take the small panel of the arch liner off, the wallet is visible from there. It took me a couple of minutes to get the wallet open, its a bit awkward as usual, but easy enough.

Connected the new sensor and clipped the lead in place. The connector has to go through the subframe, NOT the sensor. Then i put the sensor in place and bolted it down. Put the wheel back on and went for a drive to test it. Within a few yards the lights came straight on

Got back, took the wheel back off to check and realised i had not pushed the sensor all the way in, it stuck out about 2mm :roll: Pushed it firmly in place confirming it was flush then took it for another test. All done, no trifecta and back to running perfectly :driving:

Thanks to everyone for the advice, Cheers, tug