The 5df0 5df1 ABS/Traction/DSC - your experience

[liamconnolly]

Hi All,

I have just had my 07 Z4C in to the dealer at 27,000 miles as the triple lights (ABS/Traction/DSC) popped on intermittently last week.

A quick diagnostic later and i was told i was to be hit with a £2200 bill for a new DSC control unit and pump. Eeek.

So a bit of research shows it's not an uncommon issue for even low mile BMW's to suffer this. The common solutions range from cleaning sensors, to pump alone to the full pump and control unit.

If you've had this issue could you let me know how you got it resolved?

The sad thing is i dont believe that there is mechanically wrong - ABS still works fine, no loss of traction under heavy acceleration etc.

There was a suggestion that BMW may offer a good will gesture. again any experiences of how much /how successful would be appreciated.

I'd almost like a bit of support for when i go back to the dealer next week to show some precedence of BMW viewing the matter sympathetically.

Thanks,
Liam

 

[chris g]

interesting- i got all 3 of those lights on a week ago - they cleared overnight and now they are back on again, mine is a low mileage 07 2.5 - im gonna be interested to see what responses this thread gets

 

[chris g]

this thread has lots to say on the topic, http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=36590

 

[Apeshape1971]

I also have a 07 Z4 with 48k mileage and the 3 lights display intermittently. Local garage run a diagnostic and returned 5df0 and 5df1 fault codes. They've suggested I take it to a dealer. Before I go, Liam were you successful in getting a discount and how did you go about getting the dealer to agree?

Thanks very much

Roy

 

[nfarmer]

this thread has lots to say on the topic, http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=36590

Had sensor 2 replaced 9 months ago - all fine no repeat of the problem

 

[Cyberface]

i think im having similar problems, just got back from the airport and i was pleased that the car started first time no issues, however the 3 lights have stayed on, didnt have any problems when i left it so im hoping its just the fact its been sat, maybe a low battery. will be going out for a decent run later (130 mile round trip) so hopefully itll sort its self out.

 

[Marius]

those three light always coming if i lift one of the rear wheels and spin it in 2nd-3rd gears (don't ask why i do that as you don't want to know) ,everything goes once car on the ground and driven by 10-20 meters .I do believe that abs sensors has something to do whit this ,so worth cheeking/cleaning those first as it could be easy fix.

 

[tabbie]

Any more advice on this problem please as I have these codes and am expecting the worst

 

[chris g]

mine is still broken, but they are very hard to get hold of the correct one as there are lots of different types.

im still looking

I bought one off the forum but it was wrong part (my fault not the seller)

if you find a working or refurb one - you will pay £300 - if you go to BMW you will pay 800 - 1200 depending on your fault

I did have an auto electrician turn the lights off on the dash because if the lights come on during the MOT its a failure and I want to wait to find a repairer rather than pay the full BMW price

 

[tabbie]

Turning my dash board lights off could be a option then? Car drives fine but I want to get rid if it now its a money pit. :x

 

[chris g]

it is possible to turn the lights off - a decent auto electrician can do it for you - but the fault will still be there

if you try to sell it like with the lights "switched off" i couldn't say whether a fault tester would still find it - and you wouldn't want to sell it to anyone you know ...

in my case they are switched of until i fix it - and i wouldn't want to worry about the MOT - i don't think i would want to sell it like that, but I have no doubts that many folk wouldn't scruple here at all

 

[tabbie]

Am I wasting my time cleaning the abs sensors on the wheels if I have these codes on my broken zed then?

 

[chris g]

not at all - there are loads of instances where a kerbed wheel has knocked them or dirt - and to really know you need a autoelectrician to give you a fault code

mine is however buggered - and its the controller in my case

 

[tabbie]

Thank you for your help Chris will get abs sensors cleaned but I fear the worst as I have codes 5df0 and 5df1

 

[tabbie]

After some research Chris a company called ecutesting.com uk based can refurb your abs/dsc hydraulic pump and control module. Just incase I have the worst case scenario
:?

 

[chris g]

Hi there are 3 refurb companies out there, for some reason they think mine cant be fixed - but i live in hope

thanks

 

[tabbie]

After some research Chris a company called ecutesting.com uk based can refurb your abs/dsc hydraulic pump and control module. Just incase I have the worst case scenario
:?

Quick update ..ecutesting.com fixed my abs pump with a full life time warranty for £255 problem sorted, but sadly I have parted company with my zed now. It has been a love hate relationship for nearly two years.

 

[Karlos83]

I know this is an old thread but I've just developed this fault and after a trip to my local stealer have been given the worst possible £2k+ news.

After much research and searching I've also stumbled across ecutesting.com and after a phone call to them have indeed confirmed that they can repair the unit for £195+ VAT + shipping so after lots of research and investment in some basic gear I'm going to attempt the replacement myself at some point over the next few weeks.

I've used info off this forum soo many times that I feel I really should contribute back to it so I will attempt to develop a step by step guide with pics to the successful repair of the problem for less than 1/4 of the dealer price. I do love my zed and always use the main dealer for servicing etc. but after costing £2k already this year with roof motor, suspension (et al) issues something has to give!

 

[ap208_1988]

I know this is an old thread but I've just developed this fault and after a trip to my local stealer have been given the worst possible £2k+ news.

After much research and searching I've also stumbled across ecutesting.com and after a phone call to them have indeed confirmed that they can repair the unit for £195+ VAT + shipping so after lots of research and investment in some basic gear I'm going to attempt the replacement myself at some point over the next few weeks.

I've used info off this forum soo many times that I feel I really should contribute back to it so I will attempt to develop a step by step guide with pics to the successful repair of the problem for less than 1/4 of the dealer price. I do love my zed and always use the main dealer for servicing etc. but after costing £2k already this year with roof motor, suspension (et al) issues something has to give!

Keep us updated! I had a similar issue for a couple of months and i almost send my dsc unit to the UK to get it fixes and suddenly the errors disappeared. I noticed that this happened when ambient temperatures went up in may. I dont know if it is related though.

 

[Nazy06]

I am currently having the same problem with my Z and have a thread on the forum, may help to read. Bit long story short I was told by BMW it was the DSC Control unit and hit with a £1,300 bill but I got a second opinion and got the same fault codes, I was told it was the DSC Module rather than the whole control unit and in any case that yes ecu testing.com can fix the problem. My issue was that my speedo had also stopped working and having read the website for Ecutesting it appears that the speedo will stop responding with a module failure. So this morning I took out my unit, very easy to do but a little bit niggly and a pain to manoeuvre out from all the pipes once it's unscrewed. It's gone off today and hopefully should return within 5/7 working days and once it does I will update further and let you know how it's goes if you hadn't sent yours off by then.

I had a battery fault too which was throwing out a lot of codes (can see pic of codes on my thread) but that just ended up being a faulty battery n sent my car into transport mode causing issues with my heater but I now know it only requires a reset to fix out of transport mode.

But I would get another opinion other than bmw I have just lost all faith in them. Although mine is the worst possible problem it could be a sensor fault somewhere, hence getting a second opinion. It appear the main dealer over egg the situation and tell you to replace a whole unit when in some cases it may just be a sensor and a £150 fix!

Hope this helps.