The terrible three yellow lights
- Thread starter DanielS
- Start date
The water leak that destroyed the old DSC controller I believe has been taken care of. Yet as I rather not find out the hard way, the Z4 is now under a waterproof cover.
And to be sure the carpet is dry, the passenger seat is in my living room (my wife isn't to happy about this) and the carpet in the car is being held up and a small fan is moving the air around in the car. It was just a bit damp last weekend, so it should be dry this coming weekend.
And to be sure the carpet is dry, the passenger seat is in my living room (my wife isn't to happy about this) and the carpet in the car is being held up and a small fan is moving the air around in the car. It was just a bit damp last weekend, so it should be dry this coming weekend.
Jfgoldfish
Active member
Looking at the damage caused by the water in your previous picture, I would still be investigating connector damage. Poor connections on the loom can cause corrupt data on the bus. This can then throw all sorts of unrelated codes due to other sensors being unresponsive.
You might be dealing with multiple issues here, but completely fixing one issue before tackling another will make diagnlstics far easier.
In my opinion, the connector on the yaw rate sensor needs carefully depinning for inspection or at least cleaning in a quality deoxidising cleaner before reassembly using a silicon grease or other protectant.
Coding of the DSC module can be done using NCSexpert.
You might be dealing with multiple issues here, but completely fixing one issue before tackling another will make diagnlstics far easier.
In my opinion, the connector on the yaw rate sensor needs carefully depinning for inspection or at least cleaning in a quality deoxidising cleaner before reassembly using a silicon grease or other protectant.
Coding of the DSC module can be done using NCSexpert.
It's fixed!! (I think) 
During the week I don't have time to work on the car because of work and a little Gremlin wanting attention. But I ordered stuff online so I could get around fixing stuff today.
First things first, what I did was clean the connectors as @Jfgoldfish mentioned. Now I don't have the tools to "un pin" the connectors I did have plenty of contact cleaner and a compressor and a dental pick, so I cleaned the connector the best I could and hoped that this wasn't the issue.
Next up, do a complete flush of the braking system. Getting the car on jacks was new for me, but in the end, it's just really easy. Many thanks to all the people who have written the DIY's and YouTube videos.
So the car is on jacks, wheels are off. I then removed as much brake fluid from the reservoir as i could using a syringe with a long nose. Got most of it out and a small syringe for the last bit. The colour is best described as dark brown. Then attached a brake power cleaner (got one with a 3 liter reservoir) and filled up with about 1.5 liters. As and advice, I saw on youtube that there is a hose without a clamp attached to the brake reservoir, to make sure this hose would not jump off and splatter brake fluid everywhere I used a tie-rap to close attach it more snug. Pumped up the brake power cleaner to about 1.8 bars of pressure and set to work. Drained all the fluid until my nice clear yellow was running through the cannister line. Pumped the brakes a couple of time in between, and moved the steering wheel from side to side. After all this was done, cleaned up the engine bay of any drops spilled and used water to rinse things. Get the tyres back on, and put her down on the ground.
#note: this sounds very easy and the tutorials on the internet make it look like a hour job. I took me all by all about 2 hours with checking for leaks, making sure that everything was nice and tidy, cleaning up and drops I might have spilled.
Next up, coding the DSC unit with NCS Expert. A proper guide can be found here
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=414523&d=1342141550 just change to the E85 system and look for the DSC module, follow the steps.
Time to clear all the errors and reset the sensors using INPA.
Then ran the car, but the error light came back after about 10 min, still giving me a 5E21 Druck Sensor 2 elektrisch defekt. Next step was to remove the wire harnass of the DSC sensor in the engine bay and see if it was the sensor or the DSC computer module or maybe a wire issue or just the DSC sensor.
And then it happened! It gave me a fault code that sensor 1 was not working!! I just unplugged sensor 2 according to all the internet pictures. The only possible explanation, the previous owner must have had work done to the car and it wasn't put back the way it was meant. So I grapped a new DSC sensor and with a lot of patience I was able to remove the real sensor one and install a new one. lost a couple of drops of fresh brake fluid. I do have to mention this was not the easiest job, not because it's technical or difficult, the issue is the size of my hands. I could barely reach the unit. Yet after about 20 minutes of fiddeling around and considering amputating my thumb the sensor was back in it's place! I then cleaned the connector as I had done with the DSC computer and attached everything.
Booted up INPA, reset DSC sensors again, cleared the steering wheel offset and the DSC errors and took the car for a drive and that was the last I have seen today of the errors!!
So in short:
- Clean all connectors
- Brake fluid flush
- Double check that someone has not switched the DSC Sensor cable
- Replace broken DSC sensor
Or at least I hope!! Did drive for about 30 minutes without any errors on the dashboard.
During the week I don't have time to work on the car because of work and a little Gremlin wanting attention. But I ordered stuff online so I could get around fixing stuff today.
First things first, what I did was clean the connectors as @Jfgoldfish mentioned. Now I don't have the tools to "un pin" the connectors I did have plenty of contact cleaner and a compressor and a dental pick, so I cleaned the connector the best I could and hoped that this wasn't the issue.
Next up, do a complete flush of the braking system. Getting the car on jacks was new for me, but in the end, it's just really easy. Many thanks to all the people who have written the DIY's and YouTube videos.
So the car is on jacks, wheels are off. I then removed as much brake fluid from the reservoir as i could using a syringe with a long nose. Got most of it out and a small syringe for the last bit. The colour is best described as dark brown. Then attached a brake power cleaner (got one with a 3 liter reservoir) and filled up with about 1.5 liters. As and advice, I saw on youtube that there is a hose without a clamp attached to the brake reservoir, to make sure this hose would not jump off and splatter brake fluid everywhere I used a tie-rap to close attach it more snug. Pumped up the brake power cleaner to about 1.8 bars of pressure and set to work. Drained all the fluid until my nice clear yellow was running through the cannister line. Pumped the brakes a couple of time in between, and moved the steering wheel from side to side. After all this was done, cleaned up the engine bay of any drops spilled and used water to rinse things. Get the tyres back on, and put her down on the ground.
#note: this sounds very easy and the tutorials on the internet make it look like a hour job. I took me all by all about 2 hours with checking for leaks, making sure that everything was nice and tidy, cleaning up and drops I might have spilled.
Next up, coding the DSC unit with NCS Expert. A proper guide can be found here
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=414523&d=1342141550 just change to the E85 system and look for the DSC module, follow the steps.
Time to clear all the errors and reset the sensors using INPA.
Then ran the car, but the error light came back after about 10 min, still giving me a 5E21 Druck Sensor 2 elektrisch defekt. Next step was to remove the wire harnass of the DSC sensor in the engine bay and see if it was the sensor or the DSC computer module or maybe a wire issue or just the DSC sensor.
And then it happened! It gave me a fault code that sensor 1 was not working!! I just unplugged sensor 2 according to all the internet pictures. The only possible explanation, the previous owner must have had work done to the car and it wasn't put back the way it was meant. So I grapped a new DSC sensor and with a lot of patience I was able to remove the real sensor one and install a new one. lost a couple of drops of fresh brake fluid. I do have to mention this was not the easiest job, not because it's technical or difficult, the issue is the size of my hands. I could barely reach the unit. Yet after about 20 minutes of fiddeling around and considering amputating my thumb the sensor was back in it's place! I then cleaned the connector as I had done with the DSC computer and attached everything.
Booted up INPA, reset DSC sensors again, cleared the steering wheel offset and the DSC errors and took the car for a drive and that was the last I have seen today of the errors!!
So in short:
- Clean all connectors
- Brake fluid flush
- Double check that someone has not switched the DSC Sensor cable
- Replace broken DSC sensor
Or at least I hope!! Did drive for about 30 minutes without any errors on the dashboard.
North West Surrey
Jfgoldfish
Active member
Great result. 
Hopefully things truly are sorted now.
Hopefully things truly are sorted now.
05_3.0i_zoom
Member
How bad was it replacing the DSC unit. I am just scared because the brake fluid goes into it... thank you for postingDanielS said:
The hardest part was getting it loose enough so you can turn it by hand. There isn't a lot of room.
First. Apply a bit of brake pressure. I send a stone that was holding the brake pad down.
Then put paper towels in the working area for any spills. After this unto the sensor that you can turn it by hand. Put all tools down so both hands are free and make sure the new sensor is within reach. Unscrew with one hand and let it drop. Insert new sensor as quick as possible, but don't stress for a couple of drops of fluid. Once you have the new sensor hand tight it will not leak. Clean out all the paper towels and tighten the sensor again. Attache the wire loom.
Poor water on the chassis where there might have been drops of brake fluid that you have missed and you should be good.
First. Apply a bit of brake pressure. I send a stone that was holding the brake pad down.
Then put paper towels in the working area for any spills. After this unto the sensor that you can turn it by hand. Put all tools down so both hands are free and make sure the new sensor is within reach. Unscrew with one hand and let it drop. Insert new sensor as quick as possible, but don't stress for a couple of drops of fluid. Once you have the new sensor hand tight it will not leak. Clean out all the paper towels and tighten the sensor again. Attache the wire loom.
Poor water on the chassis where there might have been drops of brake fluid that you have missed and you should be good.
05_3.0i_zoom
Member
Have you hooked the car up to INPA or Any other software to see what kind of errors it's giving?
My first thought might be the onboard DSC computer located beneath the passenger seat. Yet before you take the car apart I would recommend getting the car hooked up to INPA or BMW scanner 1.4
My first thought might be the onboard DSC computer located beneath the passenger seat. Yet before you take the car apart I would recommend getting the car hooked up to INPA or BMW scanner 1.4
05_3.0i_zoom
Member
Engine fault is new
Instrument cluster errors have always been there since I bought this car
HiFi system errors came after the lights came on
Central chassis electornics- 74 and 76 are new. Rest of the two have always been there
Instrument cluster errors have always been there since I bought this car
HiFi system errors came after the lights came on
Central chassis electornics- 74 and 76 are new. Rest of the two have always been there
Attachments
Well I am no expert, but as the system is giving you some ASC, Speed and steering angle errors you might have multiple issues. So tackle them step by step.
First thoughts would be the sensor computer located under the passenger seat. As your Ike isn't responding and also the ASC error. Mine was wet beyond belief.
First disconnect battery for 30 minutes. Then remove passenger seat. Move carpets out of the way and find the sensor. Disconnect the computer, 3 bolts and check all the wires and harness. This unit controlls brakes, steering wheel sensor and speed sensors. Also check for broken wires.
Replacement of eBay or a scrapper isn't expensive and if part number is the same doesn't require a lot of programming, just calibration.
First thoughts would be the sensor computer located under the passenger seat. As your Ike isn't responding and also the ASC error. Mine was wet beyond belief.
First disconnect battery for 30 minutes. Then remove passenger seat. Move carpets out of the way and find the sensor. Disconnect the computer, 3 bolts and check all the wires and harness. This unit controlls brakes, steering wheel sensor and speed sensors. Also check for broken wires.
Replacement of eBay or a scrapper isn't expensive and if part number is the same doesn't require a lot of programming, just calibration.
05_3.0i_zoom
Member
Just bought the speed yaw abs sensor that you are describingDanielS said:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/203604532928
05_3.0i_zoom
Member
Still a no go05_3.0i_zoom said:
with a replacement sensor. I asked on other social platforms and some day it may be the driveshaft or the sensor on the driveshaft..