Warning lights
- Thread starter GJ1
- Start date
You'll get lots of threads on this from a search.
Your answer will be "get the codes read", but with those three lights its a good chance the codes will say your abs/decorating pump is shot and needs sending to ecutesting for a £300 refurb.
Might just be one of the wheel sensors, but I think that only gives 2 lights on the dash.
If you tc doesnt work and your hill start assist doesn't work then its prob the abs pump, but codes will say for sure.
Your answer will be "get the codes read", but with those three lights its a good chance the codes will say your abs/decorating pump is shot and needs sending to ecutesting for a £300 refurb.
Might just be one of the wheel sensors, but I think that only gives 2 lights on the dash.
If you tc doesnt work and your hill start assist doesn't work then its prob the abs pump, but codes will say for sure.
Motionblurrr
Member
UGHHHHHHH, I know those lights too well. Ran my car for a year with those lights on lol, almost lost control on wet weather too since my wheels would slip due to no stability control. I had to avoid rainy days/nights out of fear of crashing on the highway if I started to hydroplane or something. 
I read up a lot on the Triangle of Death myself lol because I couldn't figure out wtf was going on. After tons of research, I found that you may or may not have to throw money at it to figure out what is wrong. Some people replace 1 cheap speed sensor and they're good to go and live their lives, others have to shell out $3,000+ for a failed ABS pump.
In my case, it was the YAW sensor under the passenger seat (I'm in the US). I had to take out the passenger seat from the car, lift up the carpet and unbolt and swap the YAW sensor. They're expensive but a good tip if you narrow it down to being the yaw sensor: You can buy a Mini Cooper yaw sensor used and it's a direct fit (same part, same part numbers)--the job isn't too hard if you're good with handy work.
This is off topic but I remember you from a headlight thread, did you install an HID kit on your car? I've read about HID kits giving some car electronic system/components essentially an EMP and it ends up making all sorts of weird stuff happening. I suspected this happened to me because I'm running an HID kit but others have never had any issues so just narrowing it down..
I read up a lot on the Triangle of Death myself lol because I couldn't figure out wtf was going on. After tons of research, I found that you may or may not have to throw money at it to figure out what is wrong. Some people replace 1 cheap speed sensor and they're good to go and live their lives, others have to shell out $3,000+ for a failed ABS pump.
In my case, it was the YAW sensor under the passenger seat (I'm in the US). I had to take out the passenger seat from the car, lift up the carpet and unbolt and swap the YAW sensor. They're expensive but a good tip if you narrow it down to being the yaw sensor: You can buy a Mini Cooper yaw sensor used and it's a direct fit (same part, same part numbers)--the job isn't too hard if you're good with handy work.
This is off topic but I remember you from a headlight thread, did you install an HID kit on your car? I've read about HID kits giving some car electronic system/components essentially an EMP and it ends up making all sorts of weird stuff happening. I suspected this happened to me because I'm running an HID kit but others have never had any issues so just narrowing it down..
+1 This ^ although at the time I didn't have a scanner and so I sent my ABS unit to Ecutesting = fine and replaced both brake pressure sensors = no difference before I pulled all the wheel speed sensors and gave them a clean = Hey presto ! Sorted ! and all fine 3 years laterbigwinn said:
Thanks guys. Going to get the codes read first and go from there. I read an old thread that it could be moisture on the abs connector. Will investigate the 'easy' fixes mentioned here (may have further questions) but if it were the abs pump ecutesting looks like a reliable recommended company. Will post with an update when I have one.
So thought I would check whether the warning lights were still there and they have stopped. Went for a 10 min drive and nothing. Car drove fine.
My brother was going to bring his code reader on Monday but I don't want to get him out needlessly.
Perhaps a damp sensor? Something to just monitor and see if it happens again?
My brother was going to bring his code reader on Monday but I don't want to get him out needlessly.
Perhaps a damp sensor? Something to just monitor and see if it happens again?
Motionblurrr
Member
mine started out intermittently before completely staying on permanently until I fixed it
I think that you will find that this a Steering Angle sensor fault and not an ABS pump faullt.
Whist it may be a wheel sensor - not in my experience but I hope for you that it is.
I have had both failures and made permanent repairs
See attached which may be of interest as it covers both :
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=121145
Whist it may be a wheel sensor - not in my experience but I hope for you that it is.
I have had both failures and made permanent repairs
See attached which may be of interest as it covers both :
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=121145
Drove the car again today and no warning lights. Unfortunately my brother's machine doesn't appear to detect past faults only current ones so didn't bring up anything. Was wondering whether the local dealer's might diagnose test it for free in the hope I would go with them for the fix (which I wouldn't). Might be wishful thinking!
I've had this, first sensor failure, then another sensor, then much later, ABS ECU fault. First time I just got the dealer to do it. But now they charge for diagnostics for everything, so the 2nd time I checked it with Carly and told them which one to do. Other people do DIY. So I doubt they'd do if for nothing.
When my problem was the EUC, I used an indy, who said they were either £900 or £1400 (just for the genuine BMW part), depending on the type. They sent mine off for refurb @ £130 iirc + refit.
I wouldn't worry about it for now, but the most likely issue is the sensor and it's most probably going to reoccur at some point. If you're worried, you could check the ABS and DTC are working, where it's safe to.
When my problem was the EUC, I used an indy, who said they were either £900 or £1400 (just for the genuine BMW part), depending on the type. They sent mine off for refurb @ £130 iirc + refit.
I wouldn't worry about it for now, but the most likely issue is the sensor and it's most probably going to reoccur at some point. If you're worried, you could check the ABS and DTC are working, where it's safe to.
If you get error codes 5Df0 and 5Df1 then your ABS Pump module has failed...they can un'stick themselves but they just get stuck again. BMW charge a fortune to put the same unit in which will ultimately fail again. ECU Testing rebuild your existing one for about £200 with lifetime guarantee. just had mine done and it's perfect and I now have ABS which is handy given the imminent change in weather!
https://www.ecutesting.com/common-faults/bmw/bmw-abs-dsc-pump-common-5df0-5df1-fault/
https://www.ecutesting.com/common-faults/bmw/bmw-abs-dsc-pump-common-5df0-5df1-fault/
You may be absolutely correct BUT he doesnt have ABS / DSC and Handbrake lights on so I disagree that its the Pump,
AMBER ABS / BRAKE / DSC Lights
Worst case most Likely - The ABS Pump motor failure due to seized brushes Hence the ABS amber light Probably Fault Code 5DF0
He has
AMBER BRAKE / TPS / DSC Lights
Worst case Steering angle sensor fault Probably Fault Code 5E40
Just saying
AMBER ABS / BRAKE / DSC Lights
Worst case most Likely - The ABS Pump motor failure due to seized brushes Hence the ABS amber light Probably Fault Code 5DF0
He has
AMBER BRAKE / TPS / DSC Lights
Worst case Steering angle sensor fault Probably Fault Code 5E40
Just saying
Sth. Manchester/Cheshire border
Anybody confirm this? - my son's car is getting intermittent short-lasting wierd stuff (loss of EPAS, radio, and a full christmas tree of warning lights), and he has HID kit fitted...Motionblurrr said:
Motionblurrr
Member
Sidewaze Samm said:
I actually fixed my issue by replacing the YAW sensor underneath the passenger seat. The triangle of yellow lights are gone. I also did take out my HID kit too sadly because I don't want to let any issue arise again because I was too lazy to troubleshoot. I miss the modern beams of light but it's not too bad, I went with Philips Xtreme Vision +130% and it's good enough
Also, no more radio interference, no weird electrical problems after the HID kit was taken out. 
You really need to code read it with a scanner that displays current and historical codes called shadow codes, those lights will have set code(s). Codes will point you in the right direction for a fix. Recently had Traction Control and an amber handbrake light appear on my 2003 2.5, the DSC button was also inhibited. Code read on a Creator 310+ scanner revealed Brake Pressure Sensor No1 inplausible, looked at it in live data and it seemed to be performing in line with the No2 sensor, both are on the side of the master cylinder. I did replace No1 with one I got off ebay for £12, cleared the code with the Creator 310+, dash lights went off and DSC button function was restored. All has been good since.