don540i
11-12-2014, 01:08 PM
I just thought I'd post this here in case it helps anybody.
I have a 1997 540i auto with DSC. I've had the DSC light on intermittently for a year or so. I knew it wasn't the wheel sensors or the brain as my ABS was working - the ABS light would go out when I drove the car a few metres but the DSC light would stay on.
I already replaced and recalibrated the steering angle sensor but that didn't work. The specialist down the road helped me. He has dealer level diagnostic software and it told me the yaw sensor was giving illogical readings and could not be calibrated.
So I replaced this. It's incredibly simple, it's under the LEFT side front seat, regardless of drive side, so the passenger seat in my case (UK) or the driver's seat for most other parts of the world. It's under the front section of carpet and it's right by the sill approx halfway along the door opening. I just removed the seat bolts, leaned the seat back, removed the sill cover (the plastic one that holds the carpet down) and pulled the carpet and soundproofing out the way. Easy.
Remove a plastic cover (two squeezy clips), remove the plug (squeeze and pull), unbolt the unit and install the new one. It's plug and play, drive the car a few yards and the light goes out and stays out assuming everything else is cool.
Another thing to be aware of. DSC wasn't too common before 1999. Only the 540i autos had it, only from part way through 1997, and it wasn't an option on anything else. The 1997-1998 cars that have the DSC have the larger metal yaw sensor, and the later ones have the far more common smaller plastic sensor. Check the part number, might save somebody buying the wrong part like I did originally.
OK, hope it helps someone. My DSC light is staying out and my 540i restoration is almost finished. More updates soon.
I have a 1997 540i auto with DSC. I've had the DSC light on intermittently for a year or so. I knew it wasn't the wheel sensors or the brain as my ABS was working - the ABS light would go out when I drove the car a few metres but the DSC light would stay on.
I already replaced and recalibrated the steering angle sensor but that didn't work. The specialist down the road helped me. He has dealer level diagnostic software and it told me the yaw sensor was giving illogical readings and could not be calibrated.
So I replaced this. It's incredibly simple, it's under the LEFT side front seat, regardless of drive side, so the passenger seat in my case (UK) or the driver's seat for most other parts of the world. It's under the front section of carpet and it's right by the sill approx halfway along the door opening. I just removed the seat bolts, leaned the seat back, removed the sill cover (the plastic one that holds the carpet down) and pulled the carpet and soundproofing out the way. Easy.
Remove a plastic cover (two squeezy clips), remove the plug (squeeze and pull), unbolt the unit and install the new one. It's plug and play, drive the car a few yards and the light goes out and stays out assuming everything else is cool.
Another thing to be aware of. DSC wasn't too common before 1999. Only the 540i autos had it, only from part way through 1997, and it wasn't an option on anything else. The 1997-1998 cars that have the DSC have the larger metal yaw sensor, and the later ones have the far more common smaller plastic sensor. Check the part number, might save somebody buying the wrong part like I did originally.
OK, hope it helps someone. My DSC light is staying out and my 540i restoration is almost finished. More updates soon.