ABS headache

[stevie_a]

I have ABS lights on the dash, so went round to a mates garage put on his machine which told me it was rear passenger side.

I bought a sensor of e-bay ( possibly my mistake ) Jacked up the car and started to remove the old sensor after a spray with WD40 and a wiggle it came out in the one.( happy days) .

I cleaned everything up and took this photo to post on here to show those who have not seen the the ABS ring that has been talked about in other threads.

At this point all is ok, take out the new sensor and started to fit, this is where i had a problem, the *%^$£ does not fit, it is to big to fit in the hole...

I started to sand it down a bit to make it fit and started tapping it to put it in ( YIP it snapped in the hole )

I had to dig it all out, there is a lot of copper wire in the sensor

QUESTION

1. Has anybody had the same problem
2. Where is the best place to get one ( i paid £25 for the one i got ) i don't was to pay much more
3. This is the old sensor i put it back in after cleaning hoping it would work but it did not, if it was ok would the dash light automatically go out or would they need reset ?

this is the old one i put back in

 

[Stevo7682]

Did you get the correct sensor .
The sensor for asc and dsc are different

 

[Brian H]

What is the part number @stevie_a , I have one in the garage I can send to you if it is the right part, I'm in Glasgow tomorrow (braehead) if that helps I can take it with me.

 

[stevie_a]

This is what i got
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ABS-SENSOR-REAR-AXLE-LEFT-OR-RIGHT-BMW-3-SERIES-E36-COMPACT-Z3/231951818336?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

@Brian H PM sent

 

[gookah]

the light can only reset after a few revolutions of the wheels. Did you have a drive after refitting the old sensor?

 

[stevie_a]

Yeah i did, but still on.

so i take it old sensor is for the bin

 

[gookah]

sounds like it.

 

[mrscalex]

Grey ASC. Blue DSC.

There is a strong consensus to use OEM sensors at £100+ each.

I've got a pair of ASC Delphi I'm about to fit. They sound like best of a bad bunch. And are just about the only 3rd party manufacturer I can find who do the blue DSC. Plenty do the grey ASC.

The last pair I fitted (2nd hand OEM DSC) I sanded down and coated in Ceratec. I left a slightly compressed fit to help make sure it didn't move in use. I'm about to find out how easy they are to get out.

And yes, destroying the sensor to get it out is par for the course.

 

[mrscalex]

If you're feeling really brave you could swap the sensor with the other side. Then see if the error moves or stays where it is.

 

[stevie_a]

If you're feeling really brave you could swap the sensor with the other side. Then see if the error moves or stays where it is.

NOPE...

 

[Brian H]

Grey ASC. Blue DSC.

Good info, do we know what the difference is in the sensors? They are only reading a pulse, is it the physical size or pin outs?

 

[t-tony]

IF you got the old one out easily Stevie, I can guarantee it has been out before. They never ever come out easily and in one piece, always need drilling or just smashing out. So if it's been out it is likely to be a cheap replacement part.

Tony.

 

[stevie_a]

It did not come out easy, i was just careful, not so careful putting the new one in ...

Mine is a grey sensor

 

[mrscalex]

It did not come out easy, i was just careful, not so careful putting the new one in ...

Mine is a grey sensor

Happy to let you know how my Delphis go. But they won't be going on the car for a few days and it will be longer still until I can drive the car in anger.

 

[markvrs]

I recently had issues with my ABS, and ended up with 3 front speed sensors. I could not clear fault with icarsoft i910 or driving a mile of so.

When off to BMW specialist when I gave up, the ABS light went off after 2.8 miles. I had a new ebay cheapy for £12, a new Delphi and a good used OEM. All showed good on ohm meter. I swapped them around 1 by 1 then just to see and all work ok. Left the ebay special in and a couple of months later still fine.

A few rotations did not work, nor did clearing the codes, but a few miles did.

 

[mrscalex]

I recently had issues with my ABS, and ended up with 3 front speed sensors

Wow nasty problem. Where did the 3rd one get installed - steering wheel?

Sorry I need a laugh at the moment

 

[Jack Ratt]

I fitted a cheap German import sensor from Ebay, £25ish for a pair complete with 3yr guarantee. I had to file the outer casing to make it fit but once it was in my lights cleared after driving about 50yds. I did a thread on here about it. I'll see if I can find it and post a link.

 

[markvrs]

Fair call mrscalex just reread my post - oops.. At the time I was trying to fix it I was having humour failure as not only had I tried 3 sensors but 3 ABS modules as well. And not only had to drill out the sensor but also the hex-bolt, and had to remove the hub to do it.. Have plenty of spares now......

Had the same problem as Jack Ratt that the sensor was tight but as the hub was off just reamed the hole out to an easy fit as the hex-bolt holds it in position , and does not need to be an interference fit.

I had driven a few hundred yards several times as several guys had reverenced it only needed a short trip, but after chasing the problem for weeks and ££££ when they all suddenly lights went out after a couple of miles on the way to a specialist , it was a real WTF! moment.

 

[stevie_a]

An update :

After communication with the seller, i am getting a new sensor for free, so i will try again.

Question:
I take it you can grind down the sensor with no affects

 

[mrscalex]

An update :

After communication with the seller, i am getting a new sensor for free, so i will try again.

Question:
I take it you can grind down the sensor with no affects

It's more a case of gently sanding the points where it wedges in with emery cloth - I think I used a makeup nails board actually. A little at a time and trial fitting it frequently.

You don't want to sand off too much in case you cause it to flap around in the hole. Which you don't want and is why BMW designed it to be a tight fit in the first place. They just made the design a bit too tight.