Z3 niggles

[Adamjdmuir]

Hi all, my 2001 1.9 z3 I recently bought has the warning on the dash for ABS/ traction control; from what I gather this is likely a wheel speed sensor, any ideas on estimated repair cost (UK).



I’ve also found it it revs quite rough at idle (rev counter will move on its own slightly) and acceleration is fairly choppy/uneven, when I put my foot down the rev counter seems to almost tick around as opposed to sweeping.



There is also a slight wheel wobble between 30-40mph if anybody has anything similar?



Any advice much appreciated.

 

[KASPar]

If you update your details with location, a nearby ZedShed will be your best port of call to sort you out.

 

[AntStark]

I would advise getting a code reader plugged in and see what error codes are present. If you update your location there maybe someone close by who can help if you don’t have one yourself.
1.9 M43 engines are a bit lumpy at idle. Changing the Cam position sensor helped mine a lot

 

[colb]

As the others point out code read the car to point you in the right direction for faults. Update your user details on here you may have someone near who can assist you.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Yep, code reader.
Wheel wobble can be any one (or more) of loads of things.

 

[colb]

Wheel wobble as stated above could be due to a number of things such as tyres out of balance, worn suspension ball joints and bushes even worn wheel bearings. Physical check of all these components required to find the cause.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Hence the desirability of visiting a Zedshed if there's one around. There are so many things that can trigger wobbles that you need someone that knows what they're talking about, not some dipstick that tries loads of new bits until the problem gives up and goes away.

 

[Mike Fishwick]

The slip control module is sensitive to low supply voltage, giving a warning if the battery has not been charged recently. It can take about a 20 minute run to bring the battery voltage up to nominal. Try checking your battery voltage first.

Wheel wobble can be caused by lots of things, so do not try to find a 'silver bullet' type of cure. you have to make sure that everything from wheel balance, directional tyres fitted the wrong way round, worn ball joints, degraded rubber bushes etc etc. On an old car it is possible to have a combination of problems, each of which may give the same type of symptom. A code reader will not diagnose this kind of problem - you have to get down and dirty!

 

[Adamjdmuir]

Thanks all - update on the above. I’ve taken to two reputable local garages, both of which have not been able to get a reading on the ABS error. They checked the wheel speed sensors and couldn’t identify any issues there.. Currently weighing up my options, from what I’ve ready online the control unit could potentially be the issues, and from reading that looks a relatively DIYable fix, just not sure if that was the issue whether it would explain the garages being unable to get a reading? As a separate issue I had the spark plugs and split breather pipes replaced, went to drive away and the car was really down on power and could barely get above 5mph! So I’ll have to limp it back to the garage and get them to take a look again at the sparks etc, as it drove 95% okay before.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Any "reputable local garage" that lets a car out worse than it went in may not actually be that "reputable". Just sayin'. And, once again, there may be a zedshed near you, could be worth a try, and somewhat less likely to take your money off you for making things worse.

 

[Adamjdmuir]

They had test drove it before I collected and the error occurred halfway on the return journey, but i appreciate your concern, that issue will be getting rectified. And there are no zedsheds near me as far as I can tell. Happy to give one a go if anybody can advise of any near Coventry. If you read my post the main issue is re the ABS module, and anybody who has had similar issues.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

I've got the feeling Mr @t-tony isn't too far from Coventry. In a roundabout sort of way.

 

[Trevor /chedder]

They had test drove it before I collected and the error occurred halfway on the return journey, but i appreciate your concern, that issue will be getting rectified. And there are no zedsheds near me as far as I can tell. Happy to give one a go if anybody can advise of any near Coventry. If you read my post the main issue is re the ABS module, and anybody who has had similar issues.

The abs module fix is quite easy. It's just two dry/ broken solder joints in the unit. Getting the thing apart is the hard bit, I used a chisel, then locate the two pins that connect to the board. Give them a dab with a soldering iron,, to fix the cracks. And pop it back together, I used hot glue. This Fixed my ads light and I had started by changing all the sped sensors. Only takes 30 mins. Go for it

 

[Adamjdmuir]

Nice one I’m going to take a look at the unit today and see if can find any matching models online for a direct swap, when you had the issue was anything showing up on on a scanner/obd2? That’s the only thing making me hesitant there might be a further issue.

 

[colb]

When using the scanner are you plugging it into the round pacman diagnostic socket in the engine bay using a 16pin to 20pin cable changer. If you and the garage used the 16 pin OBD2 socket under the steering wheel that will only read engine and transmission modules. Abs and airbags have to be read via the round socket in the engine bay.

 

[Kenhayes247]

Adamjdmuir -

If you swap/replace the unit I believe you will have to have the replacement coded to your car.

A serviceable replacement will extinguish the light providing that's the fault but your abs/asc will not work until you do.