Transverse Accelerometer problem

[Plentywahalla]

HJi ... I'm new to this forum, but not car forums in general being an inveterate fiddler of four wheelers for fun. I always try to buy cheap with problems to fix.

I've just acquired this Z3 and have sorted out many problems but the DSC light has got me stumped. The diagnostics says 'Transverse Acelleration Sensor fault' When I run the live feed it shows the sensor output as 1.0g. That is basically saying that it thinks the car is on its side when it isn't. Taking it for a spin with the live feed running the output drops to 0.7g to 0.8g when taking left hand bends, and 1.2g to 1.3g when going right. That tells me that the sensor is working, but either needs calibrating, or rotating on its mounting. So what can I do and where is it? Any polite suggestions appreciated.

 

[Duncodin]

Theres a few pages about it. Heres one. See location picture half way down that page

https://zroadster.org/threads/confused-bmw-z3-fault.21101/

 

[Zephyr]

i remmber some guy said that ine of the pc bmw specific programs (inpa, ista, rheingold or such) calibrates these mfkrs. Doesnt come to me now.
anybody rembers anything?

 

[Plentywahalla]

Thanks, that helps. I had read somewhere that it was under the passenger seat so I whipped the seat out and saw nothing. It hadn't occurrede to me that it was under the carpet! My scanner is an Autel OBD II for which I had to buy a 16 to 20 pin adapter. The fact that it just appears to be exactly 90 degrees out can it be re-calibrated, Or does it fail in such a way that it gives that impression. If it is a calibration issue I can't see how to calibrate it with the kit that I have, and If I buy a new one the chances are that I may have to calibrate a new one anyway.

 

[Pond]

I have both knackered sensors on mine (due to water under the carpet for yonks which has corroded them and probably shorted them too).
I was led to believe that they have small 'ball bearings' inside which run along a track; left to right on the yaw and front to back on the acceleration sensor. I was also told these can get 'stuck' which will cause a fault. Not sure if the above is true but does seem to make sense.

Expensive parts to replace, which is why mine are still in there. I have dried mine out, cleaned them, contact cleaner, etc. Made no difference.

 

[Zephyr]

Try the ISTA test plan parametrization.
It may (or may not) recalibrate the sensor.

 

[colb]

Think your Autel should be capable of recalibrating it, look under special functions once its connected to the car with the BMW menu started.