BMW 120D E87 DTC Issue. Like Christmas light effect.

[Maxmood]

Hello lads,

Hope some one can help!!

Recently my car has had an issue where my speedometer dial goes up and down while I am driving all the lights start flashing up my dynamic stability control, oil, abs lights all come on. My indicators do not work,my wipers come on randomly and when i need to use them they do not work, my radio stops and start car fans starts and stops everything electrical basically fails. My rev dial goes up when i am driving it flys up to about 5000 revs and the engine becomes really loud like its going to blow. I dont really geta loss of power, however when this issue starts it is really hard to move once i am at traffic lights. It is like the brakes have kicked in and i really have to put my foot down to the floor for a couple sec and it moves. The car is an auto so when i put the car in to park, the gear is locked in P and wont move I have been to many place and no one can figure out what is happening! Wondered if you guys can help please??

I have also searched around and some people point to the parking sensors, but i removed the parking sensor fuse and this issue still persists.

Cheers

Here is a video of the lights that come up. https://youtu.be/hHbHhKtXThE

I will try to get a better video when it happens again.

[dworthy]

Welcome to the Forum!

I am thinking you may have several issues, the first one dealing with an ABS sensor going bad. So what you will need is to get to a shop and pull the codes from the ABS/DSC ECU. Next would be a look into the Engine DDE, to see what codes are stored there. Lastly ensure they look at the transmission ECU.

I have a hunch that the left rear ABS sensor is bad, and it is causing the majority of your issues.

As for the other electrical issues, how old is your battery? Typically I see most batteries last 6 years, and since you are hitting the 12 year mark on the car, I would get it tested. Why do you ask? Weak batteries can cause all kinds of electrical wackiness on BMW's.

[bmwdirtracer]

You need to take the car to a BMW dealership, or an exceptionally well-prepared BMW specialist shop.

Personally, I think that you're having a junction box melt down, and losing power to the various modules.

[Maxmood]

Welcome to the Forum!

I am thinking you may have several issues, the first one dealing with an ABS sensor going bad. So what you will need is to get to a shop and pull the codes from the ABS/DSC ECU. Next would be a look into the Engine DDE, to see what codes are stored there. Lastly ensure they look at the transmission ECU.

I have a hunch that the left rear ABS sensor is bad, and it is causing the majority of your issues.

As for the other electrical issues, how old is your battery? Typically I see most batteries last 6 years, and since you are hitting the 12 year mark on the car, I would get it tested. Why do you ask? Weak batteries can cause all kinds of electrical wackiness on BMW's.

Hi Dworthy,

Thanks for replying. I will take it in and get all that checked out! The sensor on one wheel was changed earlier this year, wonder if it is a dodgy sensor!?

As for the battery that was replaced 6 months ago.

Cheers

[Maxmood]

You need to take the car to a BMW dealership, or an exceptionally well-prepared BMW specialist shop.

Personally, I think that you're having a junction box melt down, and losing power to the various modules.

I will ask my mechanic to give it a look.

[MarcoZandrini]

Do you know if the new sensor is made by the original supplier to BMW? I think the company was Hella. Darin and Chris please correct me if I’m wrong.

[dworthy]

Do you know if the new sensor is made by the original supplier to BMW? I think the company was Hella. Darin and Chris please correct me if I’m wrong.

Siemens, Hella, or Bosch are the 3 suppliers of sensors to BMW, so if you get any of those 3 they shouldn't be dodgy.

OP, do you still have the receipt from the install? Normally they will note the manufacturer on it.

[Maxmood]

I don't think it was any of those. The sensor was done while i was getting other work done. Nothing on the receipt!

Might have to give him a call abd see if he remembers.

[dworthy]

Yes, as most "Made in China" will last anywhere between direct failure right out of the box to lasting 6 months or maybe on the rare occasions, years.

[Maxmood]

Would the abs sensor cause electrical issues?

[dworthy]

Normally no, as it would blow the fuses. A wet or bad foot well module can though. Did you get the junction box checked out yet?