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__CRiSiS__ View Drop Down
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Joined: 05-April-2004
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Points: 32 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: E39 (540) Instrument Issues
    Posted: 29-March-2005 at 08:45
The car has been parked on my drive for the past 5 days in the damp (& in some cases very wet) without being switched on (been away for the easter break) - This is the longest period of time that the car has been left in the open air and not "turned over"

Got in it this morning and all sorts of wonderful things happened with the intrument panel:

1. 5 or 6 audible tones
2. *RELEASE HANDBRAKE* alert
3. LIMIT reached alert
4. Speedo reading 100mph
(2, 3 & 4 account for 3 of the audible alerts)

ALL THIS BEFORE I SWITCHED THE ENGINE ON.

Switched on, general warning lights appear (as expected) all go out apart from:

1. (!) Handbrake -or- Brake Hydraulics -or- DBC
2. (ABS)
3. ASC+T/DSC

Chanced it and drove the car with the following tests:

1. High Speed Start to 60
   ** Wheel spun
2. Braked hard from 60
   ** Wheels never locked but ABS never kicked in
3. Right Corner with a little heavy left foot
   ** Back end slid out

Conclusion: ASC+T/DSC not working.

Also noticed that:

1. Trip Computer (MPG) was not changing
2. Speedo not moving (though the REV counter was)

Everything else "appears" to be OK!

It's been mentioned to me that it could be damp & to take the car on a long drive & that should sort it.

Anyone ANY ideas?
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Joined: 28-March-2005
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Points: 10 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29-March-2005 at 14:10
had a very similar problem when wheel speed sensor failed on e39 535 maybe damp has caused a problem hopefully not permanent
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wesbar View Drop Down
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Points: 6 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30-March-2005 at 11:16

My mate had a very similar problem with his '99 535 (instrument panel gone mental)

Discoonect the the battery leads and short them together with a screwdriver or spanner etc. Leave it for one hour. Reconnect and all should be well again. It worked for him.
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__CRiSiS__ View Drop Down
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Points: 32 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31-March-2005 at 07:51
Thanks for both comments.

Wesbar - just tried it m8 - still not working

I have it booked in for an intermediate II service on Monday; lets hope they get it sorted & it don't cost me too much.........
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__CRiSiS__ View Drop Down
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Points: 32 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07-April-2005 at 06:16
Well - it's back from the garage.

It turns out that both speed sensors have died.

Fella has quoted me £200 (all inc) to sort.

He has agreed that if I can get the parts any cheaper than he can (~£51) he will fit the for me.

BMW Part Number: 34 526 756 376
Apparently they are specifically for the 540i Saloon - can anyone verify that?

Also, anyone know where I can get them from?
Thanks
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Points: 1 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07-April-2005 at 16:05

If its any help, the nearside rear speed sensor controls speedo fuel indicator and the ABS and traction for that wheel, the offside rear controls the cruise control and also ABS and traction for that wheel, the front sensors just do ABS for the respective wheels, by a process of elimination the knackered sensor can be locates, sensors are easy to change providing you are lucky with the single set screw 5mm allen.

Part NO 34 52 6 756 356 I believe to be common across 5 series range £51 + VAT

I hope this helps,

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__CRiSiS__ View Drop Down
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Points: 32 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08-April-2005 at 07:43
Thanks for the info!

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__CRiSiS__ View Drop Down
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Points: 32 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25-April-2005 at 05:02
So, the saga continues........

Replaced both rear sensors : whey hey - check lights go out and ABS / DSC all working again....or so I thought.

At low speed, 25mph and below, whenever I brake the ABS kicks in.

Also noted that whilst drivng to work this morning the DSC warning light was flicking on & off (happened twice in 35 mile drive) for no reason - trust me it was steady driving in town traffic at 35/40mph on a nice un-bumpy stretch of road.



Anyone any ideas before I let the [ahem] BMW Mechanic look at it (a m8's m8 who works for BMW)..........he reckons 1 of 2 things could be wrong:
  • Drive shaft is jiggered (missing teeth where the sensor reads from)
  • Front near side sensor


Edited by __CRiSiS__
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Joined: 23-March-2005
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Points: 76 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25-April-2005 at 06:14
Originally posted by __CRiSiS__ __CRiSiS__ wrote:

So, the saga continues........
  • Front near side sensor


I recall that someone had cleaned the sensor plug and it  cleared the ABS telltale (dealer/inde wont bother attempting this cure for obvious reasons!). Plug is located in a casing behind the wheel (think you need to take the wheel off to access it). The plugs can apparently get dirty in wet driving conditions (which shows up as high resistance path for the ecu doing a ABS regulatory cycle) and a bit of spraying does the trick....unless the sensor is  on its way out!


Edited by bmwz3
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