2000 e39 528i...abs coding problem....

[robert...s]

never had any problems scanning the car at all....
abs unit went to programma in florida for repair and upon return and installation will not
allow scanner to connect...many attempts with different scanners. will not connect...

any thoughts.?

[Dave Sal]

Did they send you back the same unit or a different one? If not the one that came with the car I believe it needs to be coded to the car by the dealer.

[robert...s]

thanks for the reply...they sent back the same unit...i will seek out a dealer for the proper coding...any dealer..?

[geargrinder]

mmmmm.... yeah. dealers barely know dick about programming and coding most of the time. if its the same unit then it should require zero coding. of course its possible they swapped a new board into your module case under the covers but if the place doesn't suck they should have been able to clone your car coding over to it. and as long as its the proper E39 module the only coding differences are super minor for drivetrain, there's no special VIN coding or anything that needs to be done and honestly I think the ABS module is mostly plug and play across E39' (well as long as its the right PN aka older ASC vs DSC etc. etc.)

regardless of ALL that, there's no reason that the unit shouldn't be recognizable if you could connect to it before. nothing magic about programming/coding makes it 'visible or not visible'. it could be totally wrong coding but still should appear to a coding device/software.

there's a lotta crappy fly by night module rebuilders (honestly I think a lotta them probably just swap junkyard guts into your case...), is this place credible? BBA-Reman is where you should have gone, but, water under the bridge.

[StephenVA]

Plus 1 on BBA-Remain
they provided a great service, constant information, easy repair process, bench tested, and shipped my original part back FedEx. Three days turn around including shipping!

[1823alex]

mmmmm.... yeah. dealers barely know dick about programming and coding most of the time. if its the same unit then it should require zero coding. of course its possible they swapped a new board into your module case under the covers but if the place doesn't suck they should have been able to clone your car coding over to it. and as long as its the proper E39 module the only coding differences are super minor for drivetrain, there's no special VIN coding or anything that needs to be done and honestly I think the ABS module is mostly plug and play across E39' (well as long as its the right PN aka older ASC vs DSC etc. etc.)

regardless of ALL that, there's no reason that the unit shouldn't be recognizable if you could connect to it before. nothing magic about programming/coding makes it 'visible or not visible'. it could be totally wrong coding but still should appear to a coding device/software.

there's a lotta crappy fly by night module rebuilders (honestly I think a lotta them probably just swap junkyard guts into your case...), is this place credible? BBA-Reman is where you should have gone, but, water under the bridge.

This ^^^

I swapped my ABS module with a rebuilt one my BMW parts guy sold me for $80 (it was rebuilt by module masters). When you swap in a new / working ABS module, you're dashboard "BRAKE" and "ABS" lights should immediately go away, but you will be left with the traction control light glowing orange until it is coded to the car. This is a 'safety' feature BMW implemented to make it so you can't swap in a 3 or 7 series module causing the traction control program to act up incorrectly.

@OP

1. How does your dash look before and after the module swap/repair?

2. When you say you don't see it when you scan the car - What are you scanning with? An INPA cable? BMW Scanner 1.4.0? Etc?

3. I'm sure you've already done this, but if not; have you tried re-seating the ABS module 84 pin connector and making sure the contacts are clean and everything is making good electrical contact?

I'm just trying to determine if you have a badly repaired module or a wiring issue etc. If you still have the ABS 'trifecta' then I would say you likely got a bad repair as a working module regardless of coded / uncoded will ONLY make the traction ASC / DSC light turn on in your cluster.

Also, when you're scanning your car with whatever program, does it see the car's other modules? Is the ABS module the only one missing when you scan it?

But, as GG has already stated; if it is the same module you sent off, then it should not require any coding. Make sure it is the older ASC module if your car has the ASC button instead of DSC. BUT - Even if it is the incorrect one the ABS should still work again leaving only the traction light lit up in the cluster and the ABS and BRAKE lights should go out.

[robert...s]

thank you....EVERYONE WHO RESPONDED....HOW DO I CONTACT BBA REMAN..?

[geargrinder]

thank you....EVERYONE WHO RESPONDED....HOW DO I CONTACT BBA REMAN..?

Post more in all caps. That should do it.

Definitely don’t google BBA Reman. I’m sure that’d be a waste of time.

[1823alex]

Post more in all caps. That should do it.

Definitely don’t google BBA Reman. I’m sure that’d be a waste of time.

Please tell me these links aren't banned lmao.

@OP Try this: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=BBA+Reman

Also OP I would recommend proving the info to people that have posted questions for you.