Brake,ABS, DSC lights on
 

I have a 2003 X5 with 30000 miles and the Brake, ABS, and DSC yellow lights came on. According to the Owners manual I am to take it to the dealer. I normally work on my own cars, and this is the first time I have had this issue and would like to know what it is and how to repair if at all possible, before taking it to the dealer. I will need to double check, but I think the foundation brakes such as the pads are OK as well as the brake fluild level. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

If you disconnected the battery, drive around the block and they'll go out.......Phil

Brake,ABS, DSC lights are all on, i suspect its the ABS module. That's one piece to check.

If you recently had a battery problem, you may just need a simple fault code reset. Check out my this link to a problem I had about a year ago:

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...lf-tealer.html

Let us all know how things work out for you. :thumbup:

Brake ABS lights on after changing brakes
 

I had the check brake linings message on. So I had my rotors, pads and front and rear sensors changed on my 2001 X5. How can I get the lights to reset? I have tried turning the wheel, disconnecting the battery, leaving the key in the on position. Nothing seems to work. Anyone have suggestions?

try rolling your steering wheel to the extreme left and to the extreme right...

Agreed with Muchi.....possible speed sensor or steering wheel sensor.

turn the key On do not start and leave on for 3 min. Then Turn it off.it will reset the light.(you good to go)

the proper answer is start car , turn wheel all the left , then all the way right and all the way to the left again and they should reset !!

or now that i think about it it maybe rt then left try both combo's , one will def work , i've done it myself !!

Its the steering sensor. i have the exact same problem. I had my pads, rotors replaced and then the error lights came on. The shop diagnosed it as the steering sensor...

Lights still on
 

My brake and ABS lights are yellow. I did notice the red lights went off. I did not know about the steering wheel sensor. Did you have yours replaced? I still have the darn "Self Leveling suspension light" on. I did have to have my vehicle jumped about a month ago. I thought maybe that caused the problems. THis is very frustrating. 78K miles, I know have clunking in the front. From theis forumn, it might be stabilizer sway bar links or Control Arms. What next.

here another trick that i to do all the time to turn off those lights, open all the doors and trunk then closed it one by then start the car again all the lights turn off. And for the clunking noise that is bad stabilizer sway bar links.( for the sway bar links noise usesurely make noise when the car go over the bump or slightly turn left or right)

Thanks, I just bout new front stablizer bars from Ebay $30 for the pair, plus $11 S/H.

I got the same thing before, I found the battery wasn't taking a charge anymore and was degrading. seems like the low voltage causes those porblems. After replacement it all went away. When was the last battery replaced? After I replaced my it was there but after driving around it goes away. Good luck.

I had the same thing ... it's the ABS sensor (wheel rotation sensor). If you have a code reader it will tell you which one it is (mine was in the back). There is a way to test it but I can't remember which is which ... I believe the rear left one will work with the "cruise control" (but check around if it's left or right). If that's not working, there's your problem. If it is working than it is one of the other wheel sensor.
As far as I know, yellow brake light + ABS light means wheel (ABS) sensor. Red brake light means change brake pads.

Problem with all three yellow lights(brake, abs and antispin-I think) lights that is- do I have to go to the dealer to sort out which ABS wheel sensor to change?

After replacing battery on my 2002 tonight I got the CEL, Brake and ABS lights. This worked for me.

Viva LI!!!

I am now getting this problem, but ONLY WITH THE A/C ON.

As posted above, is this a "low charging"/battery problem? It literally ONLY happens on decent drives with A/C ON. It has never happened, and still does not happen if the A/C is off. I have the original battery but have never had a problem with cold starts, or starting the car after sitting up to a week. However, now that I think about it, the A/C blower seems to fade in and out at anything over half power.

Thanks,
Steve

(I was just coming here to start a new topic, but figured I would throw this one to this thread)

Are you taking about the brake pad sensors I just replaced. I am not sure what the ABS wheel sensors are?

I am not familiar with the wheel sensors. Where are they located? Are they easy to change out?

Are there any suggestions to this? I have more to add...the abs/dsc lights and guages not working doesn't appear to be a problem of the A/C is on the first bar. :dunno:

Hi, A new problem
 

Hi, I remplaced the abs sensor, the dcs unit and all the lights come off, but there are a new problem, the speedo don`t work, my mechanical say that is proble the instruments cluster, what do you think?

I have the same problem (ABS,DSC) lights on constantly, changed front right/driver side wheel sensor, fault will clear but then come back after a day or two. I then figured out i was blowing fuse number 51(10 amp) for abs, so i have changed it 3-4 times in the past week! any ideas? shorting out? has anyone had this issue? ps; lights still on and speedometer doesnt work

How do you replace the steering sensor? Where is it located at?

My car is doing the same thing. Did you ever get the correct diagnosis?

I never took it in. Did they replace the steering sensor? If so how much?

Get your ABS modules rebuilt.

It's cold now, so I'm not concerned with the problem and will send it out to get it rebuilt for $300 in the spring. It's been working fine, and running like a champ for a little while with the fall and winter temperatures. It ended up not being a problem with the A/C at all, just with the warmer/hot temperatures. It seems that anything above 70 degrees, after some driving, the light will come on. With the cooler temperatures, the electronics aren't as finicky and function fine.

Where are the wheel sensors located? Pictures?

bump

I just had that problem today...all three lights came on DSC, ABS, BRAKE lights in yellow)...I did the steering extreme left and then the extreme right, and back to nuetral...the lights went out...thanks guys!!

I have had my X for a year. I ALWAYS get these lights on first start when it is cold out.

Took it to the dealer last week. He reports that the battery has a dead cell (as I suspected). It has been replaced (gratis!) and I am told there are no more lights. I will pick it up Saturday.

was the car running or just the key on?

I just had mine sorted. These 3 lights came on only when I drove at speed on the motorways.

It was the steering angle sensor. Got a BM specailist to plug his computer to it and reset the configuration and it has solved the issue.

I had the X5 running and turned the wheels to the left and then the right and then the lights went off.....she's been fine...so far.

for the past month, i had those 3 lights lit up for at least 20 times, i just reset them and they are gone, after few days or sometimes just a day they are back, especially when its cold..

yesterday, i brought her in to the dealer, got a call from the SA just right now, hes saying its the transfer case fluid? and not the sensors? :dunno:

Check the cruise control. I had same problem with cruise control mal-functioning. It turned out that left rear speedo wasn't working properly. Good luck!

this time, there is a chance the dealer was right regarding the Transfer Case fluid... how did i know? i sent a pm to Weasel (:thumbup: :thumbup: ) and confirmed it could be a possibility that i just need to replace the Transfer Case fluid (not covered by WD, but its ok)...

im expecting to get my X5 back today...

Brake,ABS,DSC and the whole f..ing code system
 

It started with two hang-ups on the parking sensors, next the brake, ABS,DSC warnings. Then silence for a couple of weeks. Then back to brake, ABS,DSC warnings + transmission failsafe. Then in addition the engine temp, odometer and vaacummeter is cutting out half the time, the engine fan is running like hell and the climate system refuses to start. I have warnings about the fuel system failing, - and now I have given up and booked at the stealers garage next week.
As far as I have been able to control all is functioning except for the car data system.:hitanykey:
I'll report later.
:drinking:

ABS, DSC, BRAKE, TRANSFAIL
 

Bigtom,

I've been having that issue for a while now. I was told that it is the DSC/Antilock brake module, the part is $1200-$1500 (depending on where you go) but I was told that Modulemaster.com will rebuild it for $300 and guarantees their work. I plan to send mine to them but I havent found anyone that can remove the part for me. It is driveable even after the part is removed. Let me know what the "stealer" tells you.

That worked - Thanks!

Hurray, no more warning lights
 

The car is back from the dealer now and I am happy to report that it seems to have been cured. No warning lights and all functioning ok. Even after a long and fast drive on rough and rugged polar winter roads yesterday, still no warning lights :thumbup:
At the dealer they checked the log without being able to draw any conclusions, luckily they didn't do any blind attempts on changing any sensors. They cleaned some main connectors, and they suspected that one close to the gearbox could be the reason for my trouble because it was a bit greasy. Finally they reset the computer and, voilá. So far.....:whew:
Told me they had used five hours, but would charge me only for three:D
If I'm really lucky BMW Norway will refund me as a part of my guarantee.

Its the steering angle sensor. The part costs about £70 and its located somewhere near the steering rack. I had it a few times, normally comes on after driving for a bit, goes off when you turn car off (re sets its self) and comes back on after a while

Ended up being a bad ABS Sensor Right Rear. I had to drill it out with a 1/2 titanium drill bit. Tried to wiggle it out. The darn thing was solid. I ended up breaking off the top. Only option was to drill it out. Works great now, no lights, after replacing it.

Back to basic
 

Damned, - I have all the warnings and the transmission failsafe program back.:banghead::banghead::hitanykey::explode:

a wild guess here, but it could be the battery this time??

This is easy...start your X, center the wheels, turn full right, and then turn full left and then straighten the wheels back out....the system will reset and the lights will go out. It happened to me in Dec08 and last weekend as I changed my battery...ALL GOOD.

Neal

The best bet for everyone here is to go to the dealer, or better, a local shop that has the European scan tool.

It turns out that all this fuss on my car was caused by the $110 left rear wheel sensor. That's it. I thought it was the ABS module, wasn't. I thought it might be the harness. It wasn't. Thinking got me nowhere, just bring it to someone with the European/BMW scan tool and be done with it.

Don't oversimplify the system... it could be anything from sensor calibrations, faulty pressure sensors, faulty wheel speed sensors, faults instrument cluster, faulty DSC module, etc. It will be different on a case by case basis which means you really need to have the faults read and analyzed, but by someone who knows how to diagnose the system. I've seen right rear wheel speed sensor faults caused by a bad DSC unit, left rear wheel speed sensor faults caused by a faulty instrument cluster, etc. Proper diagnosis is unavoidable in some cases.

had the same problem this morning I got the Abs then 2 seconds later the DCS lite up.

red brake light, yellow DSC and yellow ABS on
 

I had some problems with the ABS sensors, right front had rubbed against fitting and shorted out wires. Repaired and was good for over a year.

Now the lights indicated in title are on after driving for about 15 minutes.
When you start it up its fine, then lights come on and the speedometer goes off. Car seems to run fine otherwise.

Is it Speed angle sensor?? where is it??

I'll try cleaning/inspecting left rear ABS sensor. Is that the same sensor for speed??

I'm not buying an ABS or DSC module! I have 218,000 miles on this 2001, 3.0L, owned it since new.

Ever done anything with the tranny, since you have that many miles?

I had this problem on and off every 15-30 miles.... got the faults read and analyzed = bad ABS module...So i took it out and sent it to repair will have it back by today,will let ya know how it turn out
Stay tune.............

:iagree: I had the exact same problem too, but after all the monkeying around with various 'fixes' people have devised that DIDN'T work, I decided to get a download done and the code pointed at the steering angle sensor. Got a new one (actually I took a gamble and paid £20 from a scrappy :nanana:), fitted it in under 30 mins, then took the car to an indy to get the steering angle sensor talking with the DSC again... 20 mins later and the lights have stayed off ever since.

Job done :D

Never touched the transmission
 

At about the 100,000 mile mark I thought I would get the transmission fluid changed as a preventive maintenance measure. Called around and got crazy prices like $700 USD. I noted that BMW said it was a lifetime fluid and no changing was necessary.

I've heard opinions that if you open it up and change the fluid problems start. Doesn't seem logical, but that's the reports I've heard.

So........at 218,000 plus miles it's running perfectly, like when it was new.......so my recommendation is to leave it alone as BMW recommends!

Where is the steering angle sensor located?
 

anybody have any pics? I assume it is on the steering column.

thanks for the input - ABS/DSC/Brake lights on
 

I saw this diagram also on RealOEM. It's still not clear to me where
it is in real life. Is it in the car on the steering column or is it in the
engine bay?
Thanks!

My symptoms are red brake light, yellow DSC/ABS lights on. When
you start the car everything is normal for 10 minutes. At that point
the lights come on and you lose speedometer function also.

From what I've read the DSC isn't talking to a potentially bad steering angle
sensor. I've also heard you could just get a reset of the fault to clear
this condition.

Anybody know for sure?

Hello TOMGTV,

is the problem of the yellow DSC brake and ABS lights solved?
And if so, what was the solution?

The symptoms of my '00 4.4i E53 are the same:

• each morning the first 10 Km no problem
• then they come up without exeption
• Leaving the car during the day for hours==> still lights on
• Leaving the car for the night ==> lights out for just 10 Km
• 10 Km highway or city-streets make no difference
• Outside temps: 5ºC at night and 15º during the day

Actions I have been taken:

• Turning the wheels from extreem right to extreem left and back.
• Leaving the ingnition on for 3 minutes
• Error-code readout by local shop (no dealer) After 30 minutes waiting for the car to make connection to the tester they told me it is the right-front wheelsensor.

• Sensor replaced, same error. Second sensor ordered (BMW), same error. Wiring checked from sensor to electronics. Seems ok, but still same error.
• Advice from the mechanic: new ABS-module €1000,- :yikes:
• There I stopped. I do not believe a defective ABS-module will work perfectly each morning for 10 Km and then stop working until the next morning.

At one point the problem also occured at the cold start in the morning, next day I had to jumpstart the car. So I changed the battery.
Now battery voltage is between 12,3V before starting and 13,5V while driving. But the problem still exists each day.

My assumptions are:

1. The old battery was part of the problem, since the ABS and DSC unit need a certain voltage during self-test at start.
2. I remember that the first time the error occured was after drive of 35 Km, standing still, engine off, contact on while looking at navigation and television (both BMW original factory installed) Battery?
3. Since the problem occurs every day, after exactly the same distance it has something to do with a timer or something like that.

My questions are:

1. The car is communicating very slowly to the tester and only from the connection under the hood, not from the connection under the dashboard. It takes 30 minutes to read the errorlogs! Which device stores the errorlogs?
2. Since the local shop did have problems with the readout of the errorlogs I am not sure they have succesfully cleared the errorlogs. When an official BMW dealership clears the logs any change the problem is solved by then? remember error pointed towards front RH sensor, which is replaced.
3. Is the recurring distance of 10Km each day pointing towards steering angle sensor? In this forum I find this symptom several times.

Anyone an advice or idea?

Greetings from Spain

ABS lights
 

My ABS module failed. Symptoms were yellow warning lights and no speedometer/cruise/mpg gauge, etc.

Sent the bad one to:
ModuleMaster rebuilds ABS modules for as low as $100, 2 day average turn-around, 5 Year Guarantee

They charged about $300 and it fixed problems.

However lights came on again recently for no apparent reason. All sensors seem good. I think it is probably necessary to clear fault codes. Car runs
fine, I'm too cheap to pay BMW to investigate. I have 230,000 miles on this car, so the old black tape came out again and I put it on the dash......

good luck!

My kids just spent Christmas in Marbella.

I have had the same yellow brake ABS/DSC lights on for a while now. I took it to a dealer for a unrelated issue but had them check it and they said it was the steering angle sensor.

I have not changed it yet but I do notice that when I brake at freeway speeds the is a fast pulsating in the brake pedal, makes me wonder if it is the ABS module

ABS lights
 

It might be the steering angle sensor. I wonder what negative effect it has if it is bad??

Normal ABS brake action is a pulsating sensation on the brake pedal if you are doing a panic or quick stop. That what ABS does, rapidly pumps the brakes so the tires don't lose traction.

Yes but mine pulsates just slowing down to exit the freeway, I know one thing for sure it's not normal operation. I need to take a look for worn bushings first and go from there, the hole brake/abs/dsc light thing is a PITA! it coulf be a lot of different things... all expensive!

And with 140k miles on the clock Im not sure it's worth the $$$

I think i might have the same problem, as posted, hope someone can help me out, i have 2003 x5 4.6is with over 150km my problem is my DSC lights, and ABS come on about 15 mint from start up (DRIVEN) The DSC and ABS lights are yellow. When the Dsc, and Abs comes on after 10-15 mint driven if feel like the front left brakes lock for second or the routing of the wheels change.. When i turn off the engine for a few seconds than start it up again the DSC\ABS Lights are off. but just after a few mint driven they come back on...I hoping once again you can help me out Thanks....

Each case may be different and should be diagnosed individually... If the lights come on there will be DSC fault codes stored, and the GT1 tester at a BMW specializing indy or the dealer could diagnose it.

Don't even guess at it!
 

I think this is my first post but I say (by experience) listen to the guys who actually know. If you don't know it, don't change it on a hope and a prayer.

I went for months with all the warning lights and same antics as everyone else. As I read thru alllllll the info hear I was going to start replacing likely items such as wheel sensors, dsc modules, etc. As I put off doing anything my problems progressed to trans failsafe and engine failsafe which almost stranded me in a construction zone with walls on both sides. The way the X acted was really ugly and I thought all the major drive train was toast.

Being a quick learner (ha) I was forced to take Weasels advice and limped to my dealer (after doing the battery discon to get going). Long story short the diagnosis told me the alternator overcharged to 18v (which is probably the max read) but was working fine now (huh), and an intake fault. That was it???? So, I had them change the alternator (reman) which I thought would be the first of many visits. Over 3000 miles now and running like new with NO warning lights. Only other repairs on the vehicle were cv axles done by indie.

By the by it's 2006 4.4 Sport Prem in Kalahari with 165000 miles. I do all normal maint, lubes, etc myself (thanks to this site) much more often than recommended. Yes, I changed the trans fluid twice and filter once using BMW SPEC fluid.

I'm very thankful for the guys who watch this forum and help others.:thumbup:

yeap, mine has the same problems. DSC, ABS Lights are on yellow, and Brake is Red. My Brake Linings need to be changed. I changed the Rear onces, front onces have some life left, so i thought that was the deal. but also my battery is pretty weak. I need to change that also.

I was on the SAME EXACT boat as you! I started thinking of all the possible things, steering angle sensor, DSC Module, Transmission... etc. So I bought a BMW Peake Tool and the code read out Generator Communication which all in all was a problem with the Alternator. I also have an Actron Scanner but the Actron gave me a P-Codes that was hard to interpret. Replaced the Alternator now all my electrical gremlins are gone! :thumbup:

i change the front speed sensors, lights still on DSC\ABS will try resting the light by turn the wheel to the L&R

fixed ABS module
 

I fixed the ABS Module but the lights are still on, do i need to use a scanner tool to reset the lights? will any scanner tool do or do i have to bring it to a bmw dealer

Unfortunately dealer to clear those faults. Also, the module most likely needs to be reprogrammed/encoded if it was replaced/repaired... otherwise it won't actually work. Should only be 1 to 2 hours labor to do it.

yellow dsc\abs still on the obd2 cannot read the fault,what to do next

The obd2 code readers only read the DME engine control module, the ABS/DSC faults are stored in the DSC module and need to be read by BMW test equipment. You could either find someone or an indy shop with the GT1 tester and BMW experience or bring it to the dealer.

I have the DSC/ABS YELLOW Lights on... i change the front speed sensor/ had a reset not once but 2 times.. but they still come back on..rotors, brakes are all good.. when i turn the x off and back on the lights are off after driven a few mnt they come back on.. sometime the DSC start flash on and off then they both DSC\ABS LIGHTS UP...bring it back to dealer tomorrow... will post the new info on this problem

Interesting thread guys n gals, I have replaced 2 x mag pickups, or abs sensors if you like, as logged on a diagnostic recently.

I slammed on the brakes in the local DIY car park at the weekend as some dirtbag decided he didn't have to slow down, anyways the lights have come back on and wont go out, I'll try a few of the suggestions at the weekend and get back on the results...

Still having problems with them sensors then big man? touch wood :yikes: mine has been fine since the abs sensor was replaced.

Did you replace the sensors with oem parts? The reason i ask is that i made the mistake of being a cheapskate and buying a sensor off ebay to save some cash :doh:and all though it looked similar and even fitted no probs it didn't work and i had to buy an oem one in the end which worked fine.

The suggestions in this thread really worth following are in posts #48, #64, and #65.

Thankyou, all noted and the old girl is booked in for a diagnostic rather than me floundering around blindly.

I did use dealer parts the last time this happened, after buying a cheapo part from a well known auction site that didnt fit or work.

The car is now 9 years old so I am expecting component failures to some degree, especially as I dont have a full service or 'life' history.

There are 2 sensors as yet not replaced, I'll take bets on front or rear nearside (UK), with a prize of a photo of me in Cancun at Spring Break surrounded by exotic dancers.....:yikes:

You guy's might want to consider that your ABS/DSC module is going bad or is bad. Happened to me a year ago. Changed brake pads, rotors, wheel sensors etc. still those lights come on. I found Module Masters > Home rebuilt it for $300 vs spending over $1000. This was my experience and saw that what happened to me on my X before are the same symptoms that i see in this thread. Just my 2 cents.

Andre

No speedometer + Brake, ABS, and DSC yellow lights came on
 

Dear Xoutpost members,

I have a 2003 X5 4.6is and am experiencing the same technical problem. Last week, while driving, the Brake, ABS, and DSC yellow lights came on while my speedometer remained dead, at 0KM/H while driving. Since then things have come back to normal, then same problem for a drive, then back to normal...

Engine, braking, etc are all A1. Brakes have just been replaced.

What to do? I would rather not take it to the dealership if I want to have enough money left over to send my daughter to university...

Well, it could be just a wheel speed sensor... or it could be the instrument cluster... or it could be the DSC control unit. If you want to avoid paying diagnosis fees you can try the rear wheel speed sensors first. If it still happens with new sensors it is more likely to be the instrument cluster seeing that it affects speedometer (left rear wheel speed sensor affects speedometer)

Try this, it is the same sensor on the left and right sides... Swap the left and right wheel speed sensors on the rear. If next time the ABS/DSC/brake lights come on the speedometer still works then it is just the wheel speed sensor. If the speedometer still drops out it is likely the cluster.

i had this problem, with the DSC\ABS LIGHTS on for me the problem was the rotational sensor (YAW SENSOR) Which is located under the center console, once i change the sensor the DSC\ABS PROBLEM WAS GONE....... THE YAW SENSOR YOU CAN GET it for under 100$ i got mine for 25$ of ebay to put in the sensor i had some better than i do it cost 125$ no more yellow\red lights

Are you refering to the steering angle sensor in the steering colum?

I had the same problem with the brake, DSC and ABS warning lights showing, so I tried using the left / right / centre steering trick, which seemed to work.

Here is a video I took of the process:

YouTube - BMW X5 Steering Angle Reset

Good morning I took my X5 to the dealer for a diagnostic of the DSC light almost $900.00 later they said is the Yaw sensor, I purchase the sensor, my question is should I take the X5 back to program the sensor? Thank you in advance for your answers.