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Thread: ABS intermittent

  1. #1
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    ABS intermittent

    1995 E36 M3.
    Symptom:
    Start car, all is ok.
    Brake hard and engage ABS, ABS light comes on, and ABS seems to disable.
    The rest of the session is without ABS.
    Turn car off, restart car, all is ok.

    FYI, I haven't had the time to check sensors yet. But just wondering, are the above symptoms typical of a bad sensor, bad ABS computer, other?

  2. #2
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    Same here, except mine comes on without braking on warmup lap first session. Doesn't come back for the rest of the weekend. Lots of folks say it is the pedal travel sensor on the front of the booster unit, but I haven't tried replacing it yet.
    '95 M3 S54 Track Toy
    '19 X5 40i M-Sport
    '16 Cayman GT4
    ‘23 GR Corolla

  3. #3
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    FYI found this. Looks like a pretty extensive debug guideline, and specifically for the E36 chassis.

    https://blog.bavauto.com/14248/bmw-d...es-and-others/

  4. #4
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    I used that procedure to diagnose my issue. For me, it was a cut sensor wire - different symptoms from you.


  5. #5
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    I've had the same issues before. Once it was the ground under the dash on the passenger side. Another time it was a front abs sensor pin in the connector that snapped when I plugged it in.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Zxc4 View Post
    I've had the same issues before. Once it was the ground under the dash on the passenger side. Another time it was a front abs sensor pin in the connector that snapped when I plugged it in.
    In your case, the ABS light came on only after braking hard enough to kick in the ABS, and went away after restart?

    Completely disconnecting an ABS sensor causes the ABS warning light to stay on at start. So I don't think I have a complete open on an ABS sensor line.

  7. #7
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    That's correct, exact same symptoms. I went overboard though trying to diagnose and resoldered the pedal travel sensor and the entire abs unit when I was trying to diagnose. Check the easy stuff first like grounds and do some simple multi meter tests

  8. #8
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    Interesting. Thanks. A loose ground kinda makes sense though. Could get shaken loose by violent braking.

  9. #9
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    I had a similar issue, though sometimes the ABS light would come on before any hard braking. I replaced all 4 ABS sensors and that didn't fix it. Turned out to be the pedal travel sensor.

  10. #10
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    Thanks, will check that next.

  11. #11
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    I'd read the OEM code or have it done. The ABS unit has detailed chassis-specific codes. I saved a lot of doing doing that (bad wheel sensor in my case).
    Dan Chadwick
    Boston Chapter BMW CCA Instructor Development.
    Near-Orbital Space Monkeys, E30 M50-ish
    Driving Evals on-line evaluations for Driving Schools. Paper forms are just wrong.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Evergreen Dan View Post
    I'd read the OEM code or have it done. The ABS unit has detailed chassis-specific codes. I saved a lot of doing doing that (bad wheel sensor in my case).
    This. For the love of all things holy....

    I have been chasing abs issues for 5 years, don't throw parts art it until it has been properly diagnosed IMO....

  13. #13
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    So, it's a 95, obdi.
    Do the ABS faults show up via the pedal stomp test?

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by aeronaut View Post
    So, it's a 95, obdi.
    Do the ABS faults show up via the pedal stomp test?
    No they do not. You need a scanner.

  15. #15
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    If you have the stomach for it, and and old computer with a serial port, get INPA and the tinyADS adapter. Then you can get the codes from the ABS unit.

    Chris

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by bjh102 View Post
    No they do not. You need a scanner.
    Ug...YAS (Yet Another Scanner).

    I have a friend....

  17. #17
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    Likely a torn solenoid ribbon wire inside the ABS pump, re-wire it. But of course, do you homework and check the easy/obvious things first.

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by Greg S View Post
    Likely a torn solenoid ribbon wire inside the ABS pump, re-wire it. But of course, do you homework and check the easy/obvious things first.
    I rewired mine and that didn't work, then swapped a new/used pump in and that didn't work, then had codes read and they found a wiring issue, then fixed that and now I think the pump I swapped in needs rewired. Crap.

  19. #19
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    Well crap, my friend, all around good mechanic, and more importantly european car shop owner, hooked up his brand new 'spensive SnapOn diagnostics tool, and said it 'couldn't communicate with the computer'.

    I'm guessing a BMW shop would be quite costly to read these codes.

    Is there any reasonably priced scanner that can do this?

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by aeronaut View Post
    Well crap, my friend, all around good mechanic, and more importantly european car shop owner, hooked up his brand new 'spensive SnapOn diagnostics tool, and said it 'couldn't communicate with the computer'.

    I'm guessing a BMW shop would be quite costly to read these codes.

    Is there any reasonably priced scanner that can do this?
    Should be under a hundred bucks at a local independent BMW mechanic.

  21. #21
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    EasyDis/GT1...find someone in your area with a laptop setup via the forums. Best investment I ever made...for BMWs. Typically, for 95M3's I find the brake switch distance sensor is the problem.

    Don

  22. #22
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    I was quoted $120 and $150 from local BMW shops. Ug. Ima do some basic resistance diags this week before spitting out that much.
    Odd I can't get this to occur anywhere except track.

    Not a huge deal, more than not having ABS on track, it's the surprise of not having ABS at some random hard braking point.
    2 track days coming up this weekend!

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by aeronaut View Post
    Not a huge deal, more than not having ABS on track, it's the surprise of not having ABS at some random hard braking point.
    2 track days coming up this weekend!

    Agreed. If you can't get the issue solved before this weekend, I'd highly suggest temporarily disabling the ABS. At least then you can predictably flatspot your tires! Good luck!

  24. #24
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    I've been tracking my M3 regularly since 1999. I've had two "off-course excursions" out of about 200 days on track. Neither would have happened if my ABS had been turned off. Hard to say if there were occasions that ABS might have prevented an issue.
    '95 M3 S54 Track Toy
    '19 X5 40i M-Sport
    '16 Cayman GT4
    ‘23 GR Corolla

  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by OCRentAPopo View Post
    Agreed. If you can't get the issue solved before this weekend, I'd highly suggest temporarily disabling the ABS. At least then you can predictably flatspot your tires! Good luck!
    Exactly!! It'll temper my trail braking, but maybe it'll make me pay more attention.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by m3bs View Post
    I've been tracking my M3 regularly since 1999. I've had two "off-course excursions" out of about 200 days on track. Neither would have happened if my ABS had been turned off. Hard to say if there were occasions that ABS might have prevented an issue.
    Do explain.

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