Everything comes in 3’s!

So I'm waiting for number 3!

 

1. The airbag and seatbelt warning light comes on every time I start the car with the "Restraint system malfunction" error.

2. 2 days later, I get the yellow triangle with the circle round it saying "DSC fault, drive with caution" error. No other errors to go along with it, so I have no idea which bit is faulty! 

 

I've tried the usual tricks like disconnecting the battery, but problem 1 persists, and problem 2 goes away after an alarm on/off, but has re-appeared a few times since.

As it happens the car's going in to have the filters changed on Friday, so I've got myself an extra large tube of KY in preparation!

Wish me luck!!

 

Alan   

Hi Andrew, I'm pretty sure that battery's in good condition, but time will tell. It certainly doesn't seem to struggle to start the car at any time and this problem started on a drive down to Newcastle on Monday morning - it happened about 4 or 5 times during to trip down and maybe 2 or 3 on the return, so it had a bit of a long run to get it charged to tip top condition.

My one concern that I forgot to mention was that my brother-in-law was trying to replace the rear bushes at the weekend and despite his best efforts, he was unable to get them out without the special tool, so I'm wondering if maybe he's maybe caused the ABS sensor or some other sensor to become partially dislodged during his battering with a large hammer?

On the subject of the special rear bush removing tool, does anybody have one that I could borrow/rent/buy, as I don't want to fork out nearly £300 for the stealer to do it for me, when all it needs is the correct tool.

I've been quoted £106 for the filter work, which is a fair bit for what is essentialy a straight forward job, but the closeness of the garage and my work schedule make it "nearly" worth it!

 

Thanks

 

Alan

 

 

Edited by alanm_3

Hmm if it happened so often then it sounds a bit more serious than the sporadic nature of mine.

You could have up set the sensor by hitting something near by with a large hammer.

What bush was it you were replacing then?

£106 for two filters!!!!  It's a couple of plastic bolts which twist thru 90deg then you lift the filter out.  Carbon filters from Eurocar parts are £24.61 each

So I'm paying BMW over £50 to reset the sodding IDrive, um no thanks.  I can do that myself.

Just spoke with the guys at Mtek and explained all my problems.

£180 to replace the rear ball joints (the ones at the back of the hub carrier) with the parts I supply.

The warnings could be something expensive (most likely knowing my luck), or nothing more than a bad connection on a sensor, and after explaining the attempt at removing the ball joint, a possible bad connection/split wire/damaged ABS sensor on the wheel which was subjected to a (modest) battering!

All will be revealed by the magic box on Monday when I let them loose on it.

They also suggested doing a full geometry set up after the rear work for a "modest" £75.

 

Looks like the family will go hungry this month!

Andrew Rolland wrote: If you replace the rear arm (it appears that the ball joint is not available as a seperate item) then yes you will need the full four wheel alignment done as you are disturbing the eccentric nuts/bolts which control the alignment. I got a full four wheel alignment done for £65 so your £75 isn't too bad.

You can buy the ball joint separately. I think you may have misread the bit on realeom (as I did) that says it "can only be supplied in conjunction with item (3)", this is the slip ring, which I got when I bought them. I'm talking about replacing item (2) on that link.

 

cheers

Alan

Edited by alanm_3

alanm_3 wrote: Andrew Rolland wrote: If you replace the rear arm (it appears that the ball joint is not available as a seperate item) then yes you will need the full four wheel alignment done as you are disturbing the eccentric nuts/bolts which control the alignment. You can buy the ball joint separately. I think you may have misread the bit on realeom (as I did) that says it "can only be supplied in conjunction with item (3)", this is the slip ring, which I got when I bought them. I'm talking about replacing item (2) on that link.

I thought you were meaning part 19 not part 2.

Part 2 would be a right pain in the sit down bits to sort.

If you were replacing part 2 you wouldn't need to get a full four wheel alignment done though I wouldn't have thought.

vpricey wrote: Most ABS/Speed sensors don't like heavy vibrations from hammers. I accidently dameged one of Stephs on her e36 when doing a trailing arm swap and the light came on. So I'd say its new sensor time.

 

Fingers crossed it's something so simple!

I would get a diagnostic check done on the ABS system before assuming that a sensor that may have suffered vibration is at fault.  You need the diagnostic check for the airbag anyhoo.

Let us know how you get on.

When mine fell out of BMW warranty at the end of March 2009, BMW wanted over £700 for a single years warranty.

So far in the 11 months the car has been out of warranty I have needed one repair which cost me less than £200, which would have been covered by the £700 warranty, so the way I see it is that I'm £500 up.

I would be interested to hear how much a warranty costs you.

Andrew

I think Mtek are calling themselves something else now, but I have to say I was very happy with what they did for my car,(ref M3Cecotto post).
They had the full diagnostic kit, reset my fault codes, and things worked that didn't before! They're just a wee bit far from Troon, same problem as you, Alan, otherwise I would have no problem using them.