How to tell if your car is supposed to have ABS?
I know I do not have functioning ABS, I’ve proved that on many occasions. I have an ABS light that does not come on, but I always assumed that was standard Dash issue, and just isn’t ever powered in non-ABS cars.
Now two things have happened:
First, when replacing front end suspension, I noticed my front wheel assembly has teeth on it. I can only imagine that the teeth are for measuring how fast (or even if) a wheel is spinning. In other words, something for ABS.
The second thing that has come about, is I should replace my rear axle/CV joints. These are listed as w/ and w/o ABS, so it because important for me to know IF my car is supposed to have functioning ABS, even though it may not be functioning.
Does anyone have enough experience with these cars to know what to look for when figuring this info out?
The simplest method would be welcome 😉
Thanks guys,
~Tyler
June 10, 2009 06:30PM
Registered: 14 years ago
Posts: 255
: Heber City, Utah
If your car has ABS then it will have brake lines running to a device in the front left area of the engine compartment just behind the headlights and below the cruise controller. If your car does have ABS then it will also have a computer just under the fog light switch behind the knee bolster. On top of that computer is a relay that protects the system from voltage spikes and is usually compromised from jumping a dead battery on the wrong terminals. This is most likely why the ABS would not work. There is also a light that is probably burned out in your dash or has been removed so that the car would pass inspection. I believe that all 1986 and newer US models were made with ABS. I could be wrong but 86 was the first year to have it.
June 10, 2009 07:34PM
Registered: 14 years ago
Posts: 636
Well son of a.
I’ve owned this car for 3 years and not known it had a (busted) ABS system? Hot damn
I checked next to the headlight, sure enough there is a metal device with metal brake lines going into it, with a bosch number that turns up an ABS part.
I’ll have to check out the E30 ABS system now. I never bothered because I assumed my car didn’t have it.
ABS would have been nice in the last 3 Spokane winters
Thanks a lot for the help with that!
————————————————————————————
1989 — E30 — M20 — Manual. Approximately 270,000 miles
2000 — E46 — M52TUB28 — Manual. Approximately 110,000 miles
June 11, 2009 05:24AM
Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 584
: Vermont, USA
I think you’ll like the ABS. My BMW has about the smoothest, least intrusive ABS I’ve ever driven.
__________
Dave
’91 325iX
June 11, 2009 07:19AM
Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 1,538
Quote
Earendil
Well son of a.
I’ve owned this car for 3 years and not known it had a (busted) ABS system? Hot damn
I checked next to the headlight, sure enough there is a metal device with metal brake lines going into it, with a bosch number that turns up an ABS part.
I’ll have to check out the E30 ABS system now. I never bothered because I assumed my car didn’t have it.
ABS would have been nice in the last 3 Spokane winters
Thanks a lot for the help with that!
First place to look is at the ABS relay. Ferdinand may have some pictures that show the fuse that will need to be replaced.
Second will be the bulb in the cluster as it has probably been removed.
June 11, 2009 12:01PM
Registered: 14 years ago
Posts: 636
Quote
Dave G
I think you’ll like the ABS. My BMW has about the smoothest, least intrusive ABS I’ve ever driven.
I beg to differ, I’m betting my ABS is even less intrusive
It’s good to know BMW has a good system set up.
Quote
Archeo-peteriX
First place to look is at the ABS relay. Ferdinand may have some pictures that show the fuse that will need to be replaced.
Second will be the bulb in the cluster as it has probably been removed.
The Bentley says next to nothing about the ABS system, so that’s a bummer. I have yet to do the regular google search, but if Ferd had pictures (or anyone else) that would be extremely helpful. The previous owner installed an alarm and keyless entry system, all of which have made for about a half million wires and extra boxes under the steering wheel a quick glance revealed nothing obvious that could be called an ABS system, and there wasn’t a relay or fuse in sight.
So, likely causes are the fuse being blown, or the relay being bad? I have a spare cluster so I should be able to pop a new bulb in the ABS spot and see what lights up.
————————————————————————————
1989 — E30 — M20 — Manual. Approximately 270,000 miles
2000 — E46 — M52TUB28 — Manual. Approximately 110,000 miles
June 11, 2009 12:43PM
Registered: 14 years ago
Posts: 255
: Heber City, Utah
The bulb that goes in the cluster for the ABS is not like all the other ones as it has two wires that connect to a housing that holds the bulb. It is identical to the bulb that lights up the rear ashtray FYI. I also might have the correct relay for your ABS as I have one from my parts car. I would just have to check and see if the MY 91 is the same PN as your MY PN. I also have the ABS computer if that ends up being the problem.
June 11, 2009 01:06PM
Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 670
One of the things I remember the best of driving my iX, it is the ABS. Though that one is differently programmed (high grip and low grip) than a RWD E30 (though the high grip part might be the same as a RWD), it must have been amoungst the best of its time. Very effective!
June 17, 2009 12:12AM
Registered: 14 years ago
Posts: 636
Okay, new bulb is in the cluster, and sure enough, the ABS lights up and won’t go away
So I went looking around the steering column where I thought the ABS relay was supposed to be, and couldn’t find anything. I spent 5 minutes upside down with my feet over the drivers head rest and my head on the floor boards trying to make sense of the wiring down there, which is only made worse by the remote/alarm alarm system.
Does anyone remember the color of the relay? How many wires go into it? General size? Any clue would be helpful.
I followed the thick set of wires coming out of the ABS computer, but lost track of it as it disappears up into the dash.
The relay isn’t in the Bentley, so I’m at a bit of a loss
————————————————————————————
1989 — E30 — M20 — Manual. Approximately 270,000 miles
2000 — E46 — M52TUB28 — Manual. Approximately 110,000 miles
June 17, 2009 08:00AM
Registered: 14 years ago
Posts: 255
: Heber City, Utah
The relay is mounted on top of the ABS computer and would probably be black. The early ones were silver. It is about 1.5″ square and about 3″ long if I remember right.
June 17, 2009 07:54PM
Registered: 14 years ago
Posts: 636
Thanks again, I found the relay right where you said it was.
So I took the relay out, opened it up, and found a broken wire. A little solder later, and it was read to be put back in the car.
With fingered crossed, I held the relay in one hand as I turned the key, in the «start» position (but car off), I could feel the relay click on, yay!
After starting the car however, the anti-lock brake light did not turn off
I found one normal fuse up on top of the ABS CPU, which looked good.
So, any ideas how to trouble shoot this, or can I just about assume it’s the ABS computer?
Perhaps it’s a wheel sensor as well? Any ideas what to look for there? Again, the Bentley says nothing but «Take to BMW Dealer» under the ABS section, and is completely unhelpful in diagnosing «normality» in this system.
Thanks once again for your help so far
(PS, why is this message marked as spam and in need of moderator approval?!)
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1989 — E30 — M20 — Manual. Approximately 270,000 miles
2000 — E46 — M52TUB28 — Manual. Approximately 110,000 miles
June 18, 2009 06:15AM
Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 584
: Vermont, USA
Quote
Earendil
(PS, why is this message marked as spam and in need of moderator approval?!)
I have no idea. That has happened with 3 or 4 messages since the forum was restarted, but I’ll be damned if I can see anything in the messages that causes it. It seems to be completely random. I hate that — it makes troubleshooting it a nightmare.
__________
Dave
’91 325iX
June 18, 2009 07:15AM
Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 797
: Ottawa
Quote
Earendil
So, any ideas how to trouble shoot this, or can I just about assume it’s the ABS computer?
Check the wiring to the wheel sensors first. Each sensor has two wires encased in a rubber sheath. The wires leading to the front wheels tend to get beat up and cracked.
You can unplug the front ABS sensors at the connectors on the inner fenders in the engine compartment, check right next to the main, fuel pump, and O2 sensor relay box. From that unplugged connector, using a multitester, check the resistance of the ABS sensor. It should be close to zero resistance. Wiggle the cable to check for intermittent breaks in the wire, i.e. infinite resistance.
The sensors themselves need occasional cleaning. The sensor is a magnet with a coil winding around it. The tip of the magnet sits close to the toothed ABS ring. As each tooth or trough passes the tip of the magnet, it sets up a reversing voltage in the sensor coil which is then counted by the ABS controller.
The gap between the tip of the magnet and the toothed ring is critical. Because it is a magnet, it tends to collect bits of «stuff» on it’s tip. Undo the bolt holding the sensor, pull it out, and clean the tip. Make sure the toothed ABS ring is clean too.
June 18, 2009 07:52AM
Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 600
: Portland, OR
Quote
Ferdinand
The gap between the tip of the magnet and the toothed ring is critical. Because it is a magnet, it tends to collect bits of «stuff» on it’s tip. Undo the bolt holding the sensor, pull it out, and clean the tip. Make sure the toothed ABS ring is clean too.
i think this is why my ABS is messed up after the 5-lug swap. it works, but the brake pedal vibrates against my foot and makes a farting noise every time i come to a stop.
ABS light on — E30 gurus please help! — PROBLEM SOLVED
ABS light on — E30 gurus please help! — PROBLEM SOLVED
04-04-2018, 05:18 PM
To all E30 gurus out there…
I have an ABS light that will simply not turn off. Light is on after turning on ignition and remains on while driving.
- Replaced both ABS relays from E30 with known working ABS relays.
- Replaced ABS computer module from E30 with known working ABS computer module.
- Confirmed for continuity/resistance at all four wheel sensors.
I’ve searched quite a bit on this topic and tried all the basics. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Last edited by derber38; 04-09-2018, 06:51 AM . Reason: Problem solved, edited title
1989 325i Bronzit Coupe with manual conversion
Tags: None
shoshottz
Advanced Member
- Join Date: Jun 2016
- Posts: 122
04-04-2018, 07:45 PM
ABS light on — E30 gurus please help!
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e30davie
E30 Mastermind
- Join Date: Apr 2016
- Posts: 1652
04-04-2018, 07:47 PM
Bumping after 2hrs and 27mins? sheesh.
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101
- Join Date: Jul 2011
- Posts: 764
04-05-2018, 05:26 AM
This is the gold standard for diagnosis .
If the light never goes out after the engine is started and you’re sure the ABS relay is good (there’s only one BTW), the next thing to do would be to swap the ABS computer module.
The E30 collection:
1987 325es M52 — Schwarz / Taurus Red Sport (son #2’s)
1987 325is — Delphin / Black Sport (son #3’s)
1987 325i Convertible — Triple Black
1989 325iX Coupe — Diamondschwarz / Black Comfort
1990 325iX Coupe — Sterling Silver / Grey Sport
1981 Fiat 124 Spider 2000 — Green / Tan
1998 Volvo V70 GLT — White / Tan
1998 Volvo S70 T5 manual — White / Taupe
2001 Ford Windstar — Silver / Grey (parts hauler)
2006 Lexus GX470 — White / Tan (tow rig)
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parkerbink
- Join Date: Jun 2004
- Posts: 9898
04-05-2018, 05:57 AM
Did you check the wires leading to the sensors? On my ’92 some genius cut the ones on the driver front sensor. I spliced them, no light.
[IMG]https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z.com-vbulletin/550×225/80-parkerbsig_5096690e71d912ec1addc4a84e99c374685fc03 8.jpg[/IMG
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derber38
- Join Date: Apr 2011
- Posts: 32
04-05-2018, 07:55 AM
101 — Yes, Mr. Levie’s advice is what I have followed so far. Replaced relay in ABS module with known good relay. Replaced with ABS computer module with known good ABS computer module. Neither have solved the issue.
parkerbink — I have not checked the wire leading to the sensors. I have checked for continuity in each sensor. Also resistance measured the same in all four sensors and changed slightly when the wheel was rotated. This is what I expected.
If the wire in harness leading to sensor was broken, I wouldn’t expect splicing the wires together would help the situation. However, perhaps there is a way to check the wire integrity from ABS computer module to the sensor connector.
1989 325i Bronzit Coupe with manual conversion
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derber38
- Join Date: Apr 2011
- Posts: 32
04-05-2018, 06:43 PM
I am aware of the relay on the ABS module.
Would there also be a second ABS relay under the dash of an ’89.
1989 325i Bronzit Coupe with manual conversion
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derber38
- Join Date: Apr 2011
- Posts: 32
04-07-2018, 03:40 PM
Update:
With some suggestions, I found a silver relay located under the dash and above the ABS module. I believe this is another ABS relay. I didn’t think this relay was present for the late model E30’s but it is there. I pulled this relay and carefully removed the silver cover from the relay. Turns out the internal fuse was blown. I soldered in a fuse per the following YouTube video:
After a jump start ABS light comes on and stays on indicating a problem with ABS System. Video is about repairing the ABS relay and get the ABS system funct.
When I plugged the relay back into the harness, the new fuse blew immediately! It blew with battery connected but ignition off. Any ideas where to go from here. Could this relay be bad or is there likely another issue?
1989 325i Bronzit Coupe with manual conversion
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TobyB
- Join Date: Oct 2011
- Posts: 4861
04-08-2018, 10:16 AM
Find out what that relay is powering. and see what’s wrong with it.
now, sometimes I just mess with people. It’s more entertaining that way. george graves
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derber38
- Join Date: Apr 2011
- Posts: 32
04-09-2018, 06:49 AM
The ABS was not functioning due to the blown internal fuse in the relay located above the ABS computer module located under the dash, driver side. I went back and checked my first attempt at soldering in a new fuse into this relay. Not good. it was contacting another circuit within the relay. After more carefully soldering, everything works as intended. ABS light turned off and now properly functioning again. The YouTube video I linked to earlier was very helpful and was another member who sent me a few private messages.
Also note that depending on your car and when it was built, you may or may not have the relay above the ABS computer module. My car was built 12/88 and it had the relay. I check another car built 03/89 and it did not have the relay.
Another note. take the time to review your car’s specific wiring schematics.
BMW E30 ABS Sensor Left Bosch
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