I need some forum luck, Brakes

Sean d

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Sep 29, 2015
Points
201
Location
Lincolnshire
Model of Z
Z3 2.8
I have a mechanic mate coming tomorrow to try and sort my brakes issue, it has been my biggest problem throughout this build, like a t**t I let the system bleed dry when I dropped the rear end and have bled the life out of it with no success so tomorrow is a massive day for me as its ready to insure and MOT, its only the brakes that are holding me back.
I haven't tried bleeding them with a laptop yet and @Faheem has kindly offered to come all the way to Grimsby to do this for me but I want to exhaust everything else first
 

Lee

Zorg Expert (I)
British Zeds
M Power
#ZedShed
Joined
Mar 26, 2014
Points
213
Location
Basingstoke
Model of Z
Z4 Coupe 3.0si
I have a mechanic mate coming tomorrow to try and sort my brakes issue, it has been my biggest problem throughout this build, like a t**t I let the system bleed dry when I dropped the rear end and have bled the life out of it with no success so tomorrow is a massive day for me as its ready to insure and MOT, its only the brakes that are holding me back.
I haven't tried bleeding them with a laptop yet and @Faheem has kindly offered to come all the way to Grimsby to do this for me but I want to exhaust everything else first
You might have air in the ABS unit. I've used INPA to open both solenoids and bleed in the past.

I'm assuming you've bleed them in order aswell?
 
Last edited:

Sean d

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Sep 29, 2015
Points
201
Location
Lincolnshire
Model of Z
Z3 2.8
You might have air in the ABS unit. I've used INPA to open both solenoids and bleed in the past.

I'm assuming you've bleed them in order aswell?
I am assuming the ABS unit is the problem, I have pressure and gravity bled them in the right order on numerous occasions mate
 

Lee

Zorg Expert (I)
British Zeds
M Power
#ZedShed
Joined
Mar 26, 2014
Points
213
Location
Basingstoke
Model of Z
Z4 Coupe 3.0si
Gravity bled ?

Do you have access to any type of pressure bleeder ?
 

Sean d

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Sep 29, 2015
Points
201
Location
Lincolnshire
Model of Z
Z3 2.8
I’m with ya. It rarely happens only had it happen to me once before.
Really pisses me of and keeps me awake at night, I thought it would be an easy repair but it got the better of me, the ABS lights are on but the BMW scanner will not read the ABS
 

Lee

Zorg Expert (I)
British Zeds
M Power
#ZedShed
Joined
Mar 26, 2014
Points
213
Location
Basingstoke
Model of Z
Z4 Coupe 3.0si
Really pisses me of and keeps me awake at night, I thought it would be an easy repair but it got the better of me, the ABS lights are on but the BMW scanner will not read the ABS
That is annoying. Specially when you know it’s somthing simple. Should get yourself the bmw software and stick it on an old laptop. Bit clunky to use but worth it in the end.
 

Sean d

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Sep 29, 2015
Points
201
Location
Lincolnshire
Model of Z
Z3 2.8
That is annoying. Specially when you know it’s somthing simple. Should get yourself the bmw software and stick it on an old laptop. Bit clunky to use but worth it in the end.
I have the BMW scanner software on my laptop but it won't read the ABS, does all the other stuff
 

t-tony

The Legend
Deceased
Supporter
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
When I get our Gary's old laptop I have the Delphi system to load and I'm going to get the BMW software on it too.

Tony.
 

Faheem

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Jun 9, 2016
Points
145
Location
Leicester
Model of Z
1.9 M44
I used "BMW DIS" to communicate with the ABS module on my zed Sean. I can't remember where but I've read that there can be issues using software such as INPA Pa Soft / BMW scanner to communicate with the ABS systems on our older zeds. Let us know if your mechanic is able to sort it for you, if not, I'd be happy to come up to try and help.
 

t-tony

The Legend
Deceased
Supporter
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
Am right in thinking you can bleed up a good pedal which falls to the floor with the motor running under constant pressure Sean?

Tony.
 

mrscalex

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
British Zeds
3rd Party Trader
Joined
Jun 10, 2016
Points
165
Location
Swindon & Swansea
If it’s something that needs the intervention of software, eg to run the pump then your mate is unlikely to crack it without bringing alternative diagnostics kit with him?

Hopefully it’s something that needs a purely mechanical fix so you can put it to bed there and then.

I have to say as I love my laptop tools I would be royally peed off if I couldn’t communicate with the ABS on an older Z3. It must just be on the earliest of cars as later pre-facelifts are fine.

If your mate can’t help then @Faheem s offer sounds like a generous one and the next step. Hopefully he can leave you with a working DIS installation on your own laptop too if that’s the tool you need. It’s part of the INPA suite but not something I’ve used before. If you have to replace the module then you’ll also need NCS to code it from the same suite.

Real bummer this one Sean. Will definitely be bookmarking the fix in case I ever come across it.
 

Mnbrennan

Zorg Guru (IV)
British Zeds
M Power
#ZedShed
Joined
Jul 25, 2015
Points
153
Location
Aylesbury
Model of Z
BMW M Coupe / 2.8 roadster
I heave read that on the older models you can only read the ABS module via an RS232 serial port
 
Top