ABS lights - Dodged a bullet?

[Redline]

Having successfully intercepted a ground launched surface to surface missile yesterday, I was beginning to think I had upset the Zed gods.

Took my Z4 to put some fuel in and give a run, and, as I reversed off the drive I got the three amber ABS lights up.

Put the code reader on and got these faults

Cleared the faults but they remained lit. Beginning to think of more unneeded expense on its way, so I tried to get the connector off the ABS Pump. It didn't want to budge after I had pulled the tab upwards. Not sure I was doing it correctly so I hoped that it was the second fault and simply pulling the cable around might have fixed the fault. Sadly, no such luck.

So, I simply sprayed contact cleaner into the exposed part of the connector and then reset the codes, and Hey Presto - the lights have gone out. Maybe a bit optimistic that they will stay out, but, at least, it doesn't look like the expensive bit. Fingers crossed.

 

[gookah]

It may be a dry solder joint in the ecu, and disturbing the connector was enough to make it work again.
It may reoccur, mine did a few times, and then eventually would not reset.
I ended up cutting it open, warming up the solder again on the bad joints, and its been ok ever since.

 

[Redline]

It may be a dry solder joint in the ecu, and disturbing the connector was enough to make it work again.
It may reoccur, mine did a few times, and then eventually would not reset.
I ended up cutting it open, warming up the solder again on the bad joints, and its been ok ever since.

Lots of older car components seem to suffer poor soldering. Despite being behind a heat shield I guess a good amount of heat is still transferred making vibrations more likely to break a connection.

 

[Redline]

It may be a dry solder joint in the ecu, and disturbing the connector was enough to make it work again.
It may reoccur, mine did a few times, and then eventually would not reset.
I ended up cutting it open, warming up the solder again on the bad joints, and its been ok ever since.

Lights on again. Have gone on and off a couple of times but now on permanently.

As we're down a car for another week at least I don't want to start tinkering yet.

All the switches and pressures are coming up ok as are the sensors on the wheels etc. Looks like the dry joint problem you mention. Looks like the master cylinder has to come out to get at it. Looks a few hours work to remove, get the cover off and resolver the joints, get it back in, bleed the brakes etc. Or do I simply get it replaced?

 

[gookah]

not sure with the Z4, I did mine on the Z3. the ECU comes off that car without loss of brake fluid so no bleeding necessary.
Even a repaired one will set you back £150-£200.
so I attempted a repair on mine, which was straight forward and no expense whatsoever.

 

[Redline]

not sure with the Z4, I did mine on the Z3. the ECU comes off that car without loss of brake fluid so no bleeding necessary.
Even a repaired one will set you back £150-£200.
so I attempted a repair on mine, which was straight forward and no expense whatsoever.

Went off again this afternoon but expect they will be back.
There’s a pipe for the ac that goes over the abs pump too. Can’t see where or how the unit is bolted down. Don’t have a problem wielding a soldering iron again but with no garage nor driveway that I can leave a stranded car for a day or two it might be off the local Indy at least for a quote.

 

[t-tony]

I have standing room, a soldering iron OR 2 (gas or electric). How much in fuel would it cost you to get here and back Ian? See what the Indy says.

Tony.

 

[Redline]

I have standing room, a soldering iron OR 2 (gas or electric). How much in fuel would it cost you to get here and back Ian? See what the Indy says.

Tony.

Will get back to you when we get Gail’s car back and after I’ve had it looked at.
Have you removed the ABS pump from a Z4?

 

[t-tony]

No, I haven't Ian. Will do some digging mate.

Tony.

 

[Redline]

No, I haven't Ian. Will do some digging mate.

Tony.

Me to....

 

[Stevo7682]

Can you take the module off leave the pump in place same as later z3 ??

 

[Redline]

Can you take the module off leave the pump in place same as later z3 ??

Will have to have a look at that. Would be helpful if you can. Thanks

 

[Redline]

Going to have to arrange to get the ABS pump out and sent off for reconditioning. Anyone used ECU Testing?
They do a quick turnaround but full tested and guaranteed repair/rebuild. Usually returned within 2-3 days.

I don't have the facilities (space) to get the pump out nor the skills/confidence to do it on my own. My usual Indy (non-BMW specialist) seems reluctant to remove it. Have read somewhere it needs to be taken out via the wheel arch. Guess that means not de/re-gassing the air-con.

Car is due its MoT in 5 weeks and we're away for a week of that.

 

[t-tony]

Can you post pictures of the Si location Ian? This is what it looks like on my i model.

It sits below the brake master cylinder on the chassis. Access via removing the wheel arch liner (10 self tapping 8mm screws).

Tony

 

[Redline]

Same location but possibly a different orientation Tony - not sure.

 

[Pls]

Going to have to arrange to get the ABS pump out and sent off for reconditioning. Anyone used ECU Testing?
They do a quick turnaround but full tested and guaranteed repair/rebuild. Usually returned within 2-3 days.

I don't have the facilities (space) to get the pump out nor the skills/confidence to do it on my own. My usual Indy (non-BMW specialist) seems reluctant to remove it. Have read somewhere it needs to be taken out via the wheel arch. Guess that means not de/re-gassing the air-con.

Car is due its MoT in 5 weeks and we're away for a week of that.

I had exactly the same on my other car of similar age - a 2001 Volvo V70. Solder joints failed inside. Local garage removed it, sent it to ECU Testing, who returned the unit refurbished within two days, the garage refitted it, all done. Much cheaper than a new one, and I wasn't confident of removing/replacing the unit, as it was difficult to get at. The car could be driven without the unit, but the insurance would probably be invalidated in the case of an accident, whoever's fault it was.

Cheers

Paul

 

[t-tony]

Hi Ian, I found this which is a good guide to R&R the ABS pump.

https://www.instructables.com/id/BMW-Z4-E86-DSC-ABS-pumpmodule-removal/

Tony.

 

[Redline]

Hi Ian, I found this which is a good guide to R&R the ABS pump.

https://www.instructables.com/id/BMW-Z4-E86-DSC-ABS-pumpmodule-removal/

Tony.

That's a pretty good and complete guide Tony.

 

[t-tony]

I can post you a pressure bleeder to use if you like?

Tony.

 

[Redline]

I can post you a pressure bleeder to use if you like?

Tony.

Thanks - In the overall scheme of things, they're not expensive tbh. Just trying to research which to go for.