@#(&! ASC

[Landerholm]

So I just bought this 328....I've only driven it twice but everything was fine.

I just installed my lighted M shifter (tapped into the cig lighter light) then turned on the car and pulled it into the garage.

When I turned it on to pull into the garage the ASC light was on! I pushed the ASC button but I couldn't get the light to go off! I pushed it like 70 times and the light still wouldnt go off! I pulled it 6 yards into my garage and shut it off.

I'm thinking it might fix itself the next time I drive it but I'm not that lucky. Did I knock the ASC wire loose or something when I was in the console? It doesn't seem like knocking the switch loose would make the ASC light stay on would it?

Thanks!

[bennyfizzle]

it should reset next time you start the car? even so, who needs traction control? honestly.

and for the record i think the switch wears out over time b/c sometimes i have to press it like 5 million times or hold it, of push hard, or even bang on it to go off/on

[surfacewound]

I'd personally see that as an advantage. I hate having to push that goddamn thing every time I start the car. I should probably do te ASC delete finally.

[bennyfizzle]

there be an ASC delete?

aaargh matey (i'm felling pirate-y)

[BimmerDude18]

You are owned by having ASC installed. Is there actually a gain seen removing that throttlebody, I've heard like 2% change, which is pretty good really.

[bennyfizzle]

who said n e thing about a throttlebody? i'm confused

[Landerholm]

Er. thanks for the replies guys.

But say I wanted to fix this little problem...Could it be a disconnected switch keeping the light on? I really can't think of what else could have set it off. Besides washing the car but pff.

Ill see if it fixes itself today.

[surfacewound]

You are owned by having ASC installed. Is there actually a gain seen removing that throttlebody, I've heard like 2% change, which is pretty good really.
I've heard there's like a 1hp gain or some bullshit, but whatever, that wouldn't be my motivation.

I'd do it for the convenience of not having to press that damn ASC button every time I start the car. Actually what I'd rather do is just reverse it, so I'd have to press it in order to turn it on instead of off.

[themadhatter]

who said n e thing about a throttlebody? i'm confused
the asc in our cars uses a secondary throttle body that is actually more narrow then the main throttle body.

pull it out and realize better power. you'll want to drop in a '98 M roadster boot to bridge the gap afterwards.

it's a great upgrade and has been replaced by a superior aftermarket traction control system in my car.

-Ron

[Landerholm]

Well I drove the car 3 times today. First it came on while I was halfway thru my drive -- I turned the car off and started it again at 60mph: problem solved.

The next 2 times i drove it no problem.

Is it fixing itself? Or is something going horrible wrong?

[themadhatter]

why on earth would you restart the car while rolling?

the ASC isn't that important. you may have a bad wheel speed sensor causing your system to go into default.

[donniestarko]

you didn't really do this at 60mph did you?

if so: :nono

[bennyfizzle]

why not, as long as he doesnt shut it off completeley its not like the steering will lock or n e thing, itll just be wicked hard to steer, when my water pump imploded i shut it off and rolled to a stop b/c the temp gauge spiked...saved my ass i believe.

[M3C]

It is old thread I know but hope to get some info here.
I have an opposite problem, just noticed that ASC light does not turn. I'm pressing the button but no light signal at all. What could this be?
How likely it is that the bulb has blown or the button needs replacement or something more complicated.

[Fr1D4y]

Ive got the exact same problem with my 328i. Ive only owned it for about a week, but the ASC light doesnt come on when you turn on the ignition, and it doesnt come on when I press the button.

Also, Im sure the ASC is stuck ON rather than OFF, as Ive been trying to <ahem> find out of the traction control was working whilst cornering if you get my drift <sniggers>, and it really wont step out at all.

Please help me, I medically need to be able to turn the damn TC off.

EDIT:
Hi by the way, this is my first post here

[jaguax]

What's the advantage of turning it off every time you start the car? Being able to do burnouts? :confused I thought it only has an effect when the wheels lose grip?

[M3C]

Ive got the exact same problem with my 328i. Ive only owned it for about a week, but the ASC light doesnt come on when you turn on the ignition, and it doesnt come on when I press the button.

Also, Im sure the ASC is stuck ON rather than OFF, as Ive been trying to <ahem> find out of the traction control was working whilst cornering if you get my drift <sniggers>, and it really wont step out at all.

Please help me, I medically need to be able to turn the damn TC off.

EDIT:
Hi by the way, this is my first post here

Welcome to the forum, 99% your ASC bulb located inside the instrument cluster is burned and needs replacement, ask me how I know... Are you familiar with removing the cluster?

[Fr1D4y]

If you are that sure that thats the problem, then I soon will be.

Any tips for removing it, before I dive in with screwdrivers flailing?

Cheers

p.s. How do you know? ;)

[pbclax423]

If you are that sure that thats the problem, then I soon will be.

Any tips for removing it, before I dive in with screwdrivers flailing?

Cheers

p.s. How do you know? ;)

My cluster used star drivers. idk if those are th normal screws, but id have a set of them handy. You need them to seperate the cluster to get to the bulb too.

Plus its a bitch to plug the cluster back in, let alone get it out. so be prepared for frustration and have patience or you will break your cluster.

[bmwtuner325is]

cheap asc delete..........unplug the secondary TB and pull the bulb

killing the engine while rolling is a bad thing? from the standpoint of steering difficulty? i deleted the p/s on mine and i love it that way :buttrock

[M3C]

If you are that sure that thats the problem, then I soon will be.

Any tips for removing it, before I dive in with screwdrivers flailing?

Cheers

p.s. How do you know? ;)

Just remove the 2 screws on the upper side (check the shape and size, think is torx). Use a credit card or something like to start pulling slowly the cluster towards steering wheel. I have 3 spoke version and did it without having to remove the wheel at all, just find the right angle to do it...
Search the forum to find this info and regarding unpluging the 3 connectors on the rear, make sure your key is out of the lock even better disconnect the battery.
Once you remove the cluster the center lower area on the rear is where the ASC bulb is located, simply just remove and put the new bulb there. This is the same bulb as in OBC, don't have the part number handy but is black (not ivory) plastic trim.
Bring the cluster behind the st. wheel, connect 3 plugs and put it back, mount the 2 torx screws and you're done. next time you will do it much faster, always first time takes longer and even then there is a chance to damage or brake something, be patient and ask questions...

[jaguax]

cheap asc delete..........unplug the secondary TB and pull the bulb

killing the engine while rolling is a bad thing? from the standpoint of steering difficulty? i deleted the p/s on mine and i love it that way :buttrock

Careful with that, I don't know how true this is but the guy sounds like he knows what he's talking about:

Posted by Hathaway (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/member.php?u=110082):

"This is an extremely BAD idea. The problem isnt the rack, it is the power steering servo. The servo (a part somewhere on the column that will have 4 PS lines connected to it) is what decides how much power assist to give you.

Inside the servo is a torsion bar (t-bar) which has a diameter somewhere in the range of .185 inches or higher for race cars (I beleive .185 is stock for GM's). When you turn the steering wheel it twists the t-bar and opens a valve to let fluid flow to the required side of the rack. The more the t-bar twists the more fluid is allowed to flow giving you more assist (this is why you hear the PS pump get much louder when you turn the wheels all the way to lock). So when you disconnect the pump you are putting all the steering loads through a steel rod not even 3/16 of an inch thick. <--Thats the extremely bad part

Also, since you are putting all that load through the little t-bar, you are twisting the t-bar a lot more than you would be if you had PS hooked up. This gives you a lot more flex in the column which = less steering feel."

[bmwtuner325is]

any idea what year model etc? i actually noticed more steering feel the car feels much better to me....all the lines are run together on the rack with enough fluid to keep everything lubricated....i dunno if it goes out ill just throw another rack in it

[cloud171]

the asc in our cars uses a secondary throttle body that is actually more narrow then the main throttle body.

pull it out and realize better power. you'll want to drop in a '98 M roadster boot to bridge the gap afterwards.

it's a great upgrade and has been replaced by a superior aftermarket traction control system in my car.

-Ron

Is there a aftermarket traction control, if so where?

[LuvMy328is]

For the guys having trouble with ASC that want to keep it, try using electronics cleaning spray on the connector on top of the ASC TB. If you want to delete it and and notice improved throttle response and slight performance gains check out my ASC Delete Thread (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=626641). I have some other good stuff in my sig too! :thumbup:
~Phil

[jaguax]

Anyone have an answer to my question? Does turning ASC off have any benefit for normal driving, when the traction is never broken loose?

[LuvMy328is]

Anyone have an answer to my question? Does turning ASC off have any benefit for normal driving, when the traction is never broken loose?
I don't believe so. I do know that in the snow it is easier to get up my step driveway withOUT the ASC. I have Blizzaks for winter driving but the moment a tire spins it cuts the throttle, I used to get stuck this way. Now without the ASC I can keep on the gas and maintain my momentum as I climb my drive. There have been discussions saying that even when it is turned off via the button, the car still takes control in extreme situations.
~Phil

[Fr1D4y]

Thanks for the info guys, if it turns out not to be a blown bulb, and my TC is screwed up, then I was thinking about the TC delete mod.

I just have a few questions about it tho.

1) When using this TC delete mod, I take it you have to hit the ASC button to turn the TC off every time you start up?

2) Is the TC integrated into the ABS, ie does the ABS brake an individual wheel if it starts slipping and if so...

3) What happens to the ABS set-up if you simply remove the TC throttle body as in this mod, without actually managing to turn the TC off via the button eash time you start up (if mine is indeed stuck on after all). Will it start to have a fit?

[lowside67]

1) No that is incorrect. The point is it wont matter if you push that button 2432402309234 times, it is physically disabled.

2) There are a few ways to delete the TC, some leaving ABS intact and some without. Search ASC delete, there are LOTS of threads on it.

3) See #2.

[darthE36]

Anyone have an answer to my question? Does turning ASC off have any benefit for normal driving, when the traction is never broken loose?
With the ASC on, the car prevents the rear wheels from spinning also by restricting throttle response. When you turn it off the throttle is opened up more and the wheels can spin out way easier, but the ASC will kick in if you go too out of control. If you hold down the button for about 10 seconds, the ASC stays off until the car is restarted.

[Fr1D4y]

FIXED IT!

It was just the bulb that had blown in the intrument cluster. Easy job to fix replace it, and I now know if TC is on or off.

Thanks for all the help people, very much appreciated :)

By the way:
I had to take the steering wheel off in order to get the instrument cluster out, and after putting it back on, the airbag warning light now stays illuminated after turning the ignition on. I had to unplug and remove the airbag unit from the steering wheel so as to not stretch the wires while I worked on the instrument cluster, and it all got plugged back in fine as far as I can tell. Any idea what the problem might be?

[M3C]

FIXED IT!

It was just the bulb that had blown in the intrument cluster. Easy job to fix replace it, and I now know if TC is on or off.

Thanks for all the help people, very much appreciated :)

By the way:
I had to take the steering wheel off in order to get the instrument cluster out, and after putting it back on, the airbag warning light now stays illuminated after turning the ignition on. I had to unplug and remove the airbag unit from the steering wheel so as to not stretch the wires while I worked on the instrument cluster, and it all got plugged back in fine as far as I can tell. Any idea what the problem might be?

You did not disconnect the battery.

[94Bimm3r]

Just take your asc off it is very simple it does improve sound of the intake as well and maybe 1hp but most of all it looks so much better under the hood with that stupid metal boot goon. trust me youll like it unless of course you dont like to do burn outs lol and i sure hope that is not the case. if you need any help or have any questions on how to do it just let me know id be happy to tell you how.

[Toxic0n]

In terms of safety, would it not be better to have ASC on in rainy weather, just in case?

[LuvMy328is]

Do a diff swap and add LSD...problem solved :thumbup:
~Phil

[DiScoTeknix]

Time warp.:wow

In terms of safety, would it not be better to have ASC on in rainy weather, just in case?
ASC is there to keep moron's from doing something too stupid. Keep it safe during weathered conditions and you'll never need ASC.;)

[bimmer213]

Time warp.:wow

ASC is there to keep moron's from doing something too stupid. Keep it safe during weathered conditions and you'll never need ASC.;)

+1

I've actually had the ASC do more bad than good. It helps you keep traction, but if you lose traction with the ASC on, it's actually gonna make it harder to regain control, at least for me