The mysterious tri-fecta: DSC, ABS, Brake amber lights

[lay3r3]

I tried deactivating DSC yesterday since the lights were off. It didn't help. It's got an uncanny ability to start out the drive just fine and then decide to freak out as I'm turning left across traffic or starting out at a green light. People behind probably wondering what in the hell is going on with the lurching bmw in front of them.

I've got an appt with my mechanic tomorrow. fingers crossed...

[teknik_ranger]

2nd on the ABS module. My 2000 had those lights when I bought it...but they were solid on. Had ModuleMasters in Idaho rebuild it, no problems since. The Bosch modules have a problem with the wires connecting to the board...very thin and they tend to break over time with slight engine vibration and heat. Maybe they are making and breaking contact when you hit a little bump?

Anyway, if that is the case...they are by far the cheapest, best solution I found when I was looking. The repair is much more heavy duty than a stock replacement...plus a longer warranty!

[lay3r3]

Just picked up the truck. All good now... one of the wheel speed sensors was out. $240 or so for part plus labor. Kind of sucks that I could have replaced it myself but not having a code reader I didn't want to gamble and get it wrong and have to buy a different sensor. She's back in action... for now at least

[Isambard]

T'was my steering angle sensor too. I also tried lots of different methods people spoke of in order to clear the money lights. The turning of the steering wheel full lock to full lock is something that is done on Mercs-havent heard of it (until now) for beemers.

Simplest thing to do (which I avoided like the plague for too long, until I found a good indy) is get the codes read. I paid (my now friend) the £30 for the download, and it showed me my steering angle sensor was duff.

So I promptly looked up the price of a new one, and after picking myself up off the floor having visited realoem, I then searched the second-hand breakers and found one for £40. Asking them if it was definitely 100%, they said if its not they will refund or replace.

I took a gamble that paid off, fitted it myself (which is fairly easy-about 30 minutes) which was 3 years ago now (still sensing strong today!). And YES you do need the sensor to be sync'd with the DSC module. I had this done at another indy for a cost of £90-the most costly part of it!

Now, having typed all that we don't even know if its your SAS yet, do we?!!

[Isambard]

bollocks. Just read post #13! haha

[lay3r3]

I forgot to mention, he told me they have rarely replaced the steering sensor as they can generally clean it up and get it back in working condition. FYI for future DIY.

[fp997]

Good info here.

For me, this happened at around 60k mi. It turned out to be the alternator. I'm guessing the voltage regulator was bad. I got a bunch of random errors (transmission failsafe, trifecta, weird lighting activity, etc). So if you are getting more than just the trifecta, then it may be the alternator.

[mstrmnd]

Originally Posted by lay3r3

Just picked up the truck. All good now... one of the wheel speed sensors was out. $240 or so for part plus labor. Kind of sucks that I could have replaced it myself but not having a code reader I didn't want to gamble and get it wrong and have to buy a different sensor. She's back in action... for now at least

Do recall what the part number is for the wheel speed sensors?

[bgnmi]

Long similar story short-------Alternator went produced over charge. Replaced @ 98k 04 4.4i

Solved problem

[Contigo]

Aha this is helping me guys,

I had the dreaded three lights on mine after a dead battery and they have since gone after I got things running again but I am still plagued with the dead batteries despite the battery being diagnosed as healthy. I wonder if I've got an alternator same as bgnmi?