Brake bleeding solved with Ista-D

[Maxi840ci]

2006 E53 4.4
If you ever get air in the ABS, seems impossible to remove without bmw software. I managed to get ista-D installed. Once connected, the correct function is under "vehicle management/service functions/Chassis/DSC8/brake bleeding routine/" then on right select "ABL Brake Bleeding Procedure". Then click "continue" and it will activate the ABS pump and cycle through the values. I did the passenger-rear first and tons of air came out the first time using the software. So much air I though the reservoir was dry. I was using a homemade pressure bleeder on the reservoir at ~5 to 10psi. pressure is essential. after running the routine with the bleeder open, pump the brake to the floor 5 times to clear the air. make sure bubble free and then close the bleeder valve. move to the next line.


At first I tried "vehicle information/control unit tree/DSC" and the "call up ECU functions", then "activate pump" or something like that. This option does turn the pump on for 5 seconds, but it does not seem to cycle through valves. I tried this way 2 times and the pedal was still mushy. The correct approach is through the "service function" menu, which makes sense.

Some images from ISTA:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Tuzn3MPcjVdkgtCB7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/RaZTe613UrtmNyRj8


From the software:

Primary circuit: In the DSC hydraulic control unit, air bubbles can adhere to the edges and valves, and these cannot be removed by rinsing with the brake fluid change unit. The vibrations that occur during ventilation with the diagnosis system loosen the air bubbles.

Secondary circuit: Under normal conditions (DSC does not intervene), the secondary circuit of the DSC hydraulic control unit is closed, so that the air it contains cannot escape when rinsing with the brake fluid change unit. When bleeding with the diagnosis system, the return pump and the exhaust and high-pressure switching valves are activated during rinsing so that the secondary circuit is also bled.

After the exchange and repair of the following components, bleeding must be done with the diagnosis system:
- Hydraulic unit

- Master Brake Cylinder

- Components or connection lines that are located between the hydraulic unit and tandem brake master cylinder


Operations:
For the DSC8, the operations 3 ... 7 must be performed in the order rear right, rear left, front right and front left.

For the DSC Mk60 the operations are specified explicitly in the test module.

1. Connect the brake fluid-change unit and switch on (the filling pressure must not exceed 2 bar)

2. Fully rinse the brake system

3. Attach the bleeder container to the vent valve

4. Open vent valve

5. Start bleeding with the diagnosis system with open vent valve

6. After completing the bleeding, operate the brake pedal 5 times to the limit position; bubble-free brake fluid must escape

7. Close vent valve

8. Remove the brake fluid change unit

Note:
A second person is required for this task

[upallnight]

Thanks for coming to this forum and posting this info. Most of the time a newbie only comes here looking for answers to their problems.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by Maxi840ci

2006 E53 4.4
If you ever get air in the ABS, seems impossible to remove without bmw software. I managed to get ista-D installed. Once connected, the correct function is under "vehicle management/service functions/Chassis/DSC8/brake bleeding routine/" then on right select "ABL Brake Bleeding Procedure". Then click "continue" and it will activate the ABS pump and cycle through the values. I did the passenger-rear first and tons of air came out the first time using the software. So much air I though the reservoir was dry.


At first I tried "vehicle information/control unit tree/DSC" and the "call up ECU functions", then "activate pump" or something like that. This option does turn the pump on for 5 seconds, but it does not seem to cycle through valves. I tried this way 2 times and the pedal was still mushy. The correct approach is through the "service function" menu, which makes sense.

Some images from ISTA:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Tuzn3MPcjVdkgtCB7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/RaZTe613UrtmNyRj8


From the software:

Primary circuit: In the DSC hydraulic control unit, air bubbles can adhere to the edges and valves, and these cannot be removed by rinsing with the brake fluid change unit. The vibrations that occur during ventilation with the diagnosis system loosen the air bubbles.

Secondary circuit: Under normal conditions (DSC does not intervene), the secondary circuit of the DSC hydraulic control unit is closed, so that the air it contains cannot escape when rinsing with the brake fluid change unit. When bleeding with the diagnosis system, the return pump and the exhaust and high-pressure switching valves are activated during rinsing so that the secondary circuit is also bled.

After the exchange and repair of the following components, bleeding must be done with the diagnosis system:
- Hydraulic unit

- Master Brake Cylinder

- Components or connection lines that are located between the hydraulic unit and tandem brake master cylinder


Operations:
For the DSC8, the operations 3 ... 7 must be performed in the order rear right, rear left, front right and front left.

For the DSC Mk60 the operations are specified explicitly in the test module.

Connect the brake fluid-change unit and switch on (the filling pressure must not exceed 2 bar)

Fully rinse the brake system

Attach the bleeder container to the vent valve

Open vent valve

Start bleeding with the diagnosis system with open vent valve

After completing the bleeding, operate the brake pedal 5 times to the limit position; bubble-free brake fluid must escape

Close vent valve

Remove the brake fluid change unit

Note:
A second person is required for this task

Do you think a second person will be required if you used a power bleeder like Motiv?

[andrewwynn]

My read is to pump the brakes and watch for bubbles is the point of a second person.

I don't think a second person is needed you can pump the brakes to push air out of the master cylinder then the motiv will push the bubbles out of the line.

You can activate the two needed processes (abs pump, abs valves) with foxwell this procedure is good to know the order.

[Maxi840ci]

If you have a pressure bleeder and you have a safe way to catch the fluid, then you can do by yourself. If you run the service function and hear the abs pumping you can get quickly back to the bleeder and see if fluid/air is coming out. With the pressure bleeder on there was still pretty decent flow coming out even without abs activated and you can verify no bubbles after you activate the abs. I pumped about half a reservoir amount of fluid through each line and ran the abs/bleed routine multiple times while the line was open. probably overkill but I wanted to make sure there were no more bubbles. I left the pressure bleeder on until the bleeder valve was closed. pedal firm like it's supposed to be.

[Maxi840ci]

pretty sure all the air in the ABS came out on the first line once I was doing the proper bleed routine

[StephenVA]

The RR seems to be the longest and hardest to bleed out properly without getting the ABS cycled. Each line is separate from the ABS unit to each corner so you do have to bleed each corner and cycle the ABS unit each time.

Congrats to each and every one who does the bleed out properly as it is really the only way to get all the old fluid out and to ensure no air bubbles are left. A firm pedal is your reward!

[Happy]

Originally Posted by StephenVA

The RR seems to be the longest and hardest to bleed out properly without getting the ABS cycled. Each line is separate from the ABS unit to each corner so you do have to bleed each corner and cycle the ABS unit each time.

Congrats to each and every one who does the bleed out properly as it is really the only way to get all the old fluid out and to ensure no air bubbles are left. A firm pedal is your reward!

For us Manual owners, the clutch line should be bled as well.

[boma23]

Hi All,

I'm having major issues trying to bleed DSC, since having to repair a damaged line between the DSC block and Master Cylinder. Car has now been off road for 4 months whilst I've gone through different versions of INPA, and now ISTA trying to get this bleed process to activate.

On INPA, I can get to the screen where the button for the the bleed it, and the button simply doesn't appear.

Now on ISTA, I'm getting to the exact same screen that Maxi840i is getting to on the second linked screenshot above - but there is no way to proceed from here?



Clicking on ABL gives nothing. I can add to test, but seems now way to execute even when in the list?

Clicking on FUB, displays the instruction for the procedure itself, but again there is no button to continue, or execute the procedure from here.

Same procedure is described at 2:10 of this youtube video, so I can only wonder why in both ISTA and INPA now i am unable to activate the DSC to bleed it!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7Xs...nel=FaRKle0079

[boma23]

PS - there are no BMW dealers or indies anywhere near me - I live on a tiny islands population 4000, otherwise I would have sent this to a shop by now!!