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Thread: E39 DSC (only) Light On

  1. #1
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    E39 DSC (only) Light On

    I have a 2003 E39 530I with 269,000 miles on it. Recently, DSC, ABS and Brake lights came on and, after reading many of the threads here, decided to send the ABS module out to be refurbished. When I reinstalled the module, all 3 lights initially went out. But now, the DSC light comes on after a few minutes of driving (according to INPA, at around 30MPH). The speedo and the cruise control work fine as does the ABS. If I try to force the car to "drift" before the DSC light comes on, it appears to work momentarily and the DSC light flickers and stays off for a few minutes. From INPA, I am getting code 88 for the pre-charge pump, however, using the same tool, I am able to energize the pre-charge pump motor and it runs. I am running out of ideas. Does the DSC system need to be bled? If so, is there a link to the process? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

  2. #2
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    For arguments sake calibrate the SAS.
    Last edited by toybreaker; 09-20-2018 at 01:55 PM.

  3. #3
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    with the DSC enabled (cluster light off), flickering of the DSC light is normal when trying to drift the car, its trying to stabilize. have you cleared the ABS code for code 88, then wait to see if it returns? i fit does, its most likely the module, ive yet to see a code 88 be the pump causing it, and that youre able to activate the pump feeds that thought.
    most common cause of the DCS lite is the SAS as mentioned in the previous post, if the light sets, youll have a code, even if the light resets itself.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by mattmar1 View Post
    with the DSC enabled (cluster light off), flickering of the DSC light is normal when trying to drift the car, its trying to stabilize. have you cleared the ABS code for code 88, then wait to see if it returns? i fit does, its most likely the module, ive yet to see a code 88 be the pump causing it, and that youre able to activate the pump feeds that thought.
    most common cause of the DCS lite is the SAS as mentioned in the previous post, if the light sets, youll have a code, even if the light resets itself.
    How does the SAS cause the DCS / ACS light to come on / stay on ?

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  5. #5
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    Yeah - "LWS" (BMW abbrev for steering angle sensor) worth looking at but I'll 2nd the module.

    OP where did you get the module rebuilt? If it wasn't BBA-Reman or a shortlist of a few other reputable joints, then its very possibly to likely you got one that's not 100%. Happens all the time to guys who buy from "Chuck and Bobs Discount Car Compooter Fixers" on eBay.
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  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by geargrinder View Post
    Yeah - "LWS" (BMW abbrev for steering angle sensor) worth looking at but I'll 2nd the module.

    OP where did you get the module rebuilt? If it wasn't BBA-Reman or a shortlist of a few other reputable joints, then its very possibly to likely you got one that's not 100%. Happens all the time to guys who buy from "Chuck and Bobs Discount Car Compooter Fixers" on eBay.
    Do you recommend BBA-Reman ?
    Some other guys mentioned that they got the service through ebay.
    I am hesitant of anyone on Ebay, because if there is something wrong with the module after a couple years, who's to say that Ebay guy will still be there...
    Last edited by Jason5driver; 09-21-2018 at 12:28 PM.

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  7. #7
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    Oh yeah BBA is the first choice...
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  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by mattmar1 View Post
    with the DSC enabled (cluster light off), flickering of the DSC light is normal when trying to drift the car, its trying to stabilize. have you cleared the ABS code for code 88, then wait to see if it returns? i fit does, its most likely the module, ive yet to see a code 88 be the pump causing it, and that youre able to activate the pump feeds that thought.
    most common cause of the DCS lite is the SAS as mentioned in the previous post, if the light sets, youll have a code, even if the light resets itself.
    Yes, I understand the DSC will flicker if the car is forced to "drift", I mentioned that to show that for a very short time, the DSC system appeared to be working. I did clear the 88 code and it came back. I will try to calibrate the SAS next. Thank you.

    - - - Updated - - -

    I will try that next. Thank you.

    - - - Updated - - -

    I got mine rebuilt by Autoecu1 out of West Palm Beach, FL. Any experience with them?

  9. #9
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    not familiar with them at all, but thats just me. i have had good service from bba and myairbags.com.
    the SAS is basically a slip ring with brush contacts that follows the rotation of the steering shaft. if the mating surfaces get contaminated, electrical plausibility isnt seen and the module faults. or if for some other reason the module sees something unreasonable.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by hdelgado133 View Post
    I got mine rebuilt by Autoecu1 out of West Palm Beach, FL. Any experience with them?
    Not specifically, but they generally look like the type of operation I characterize as "eBay Discount House of Module Wanking"... maybe they are OK... dunno.

    All I know is BBA has a VERY low out-of-box failure rate vs your typical eBay wankers, and, they have excellent service, lifetime warranty, when people do have problems they generally are happy to send another unit out...
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  11. #11
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    + 1 on BBA used them on my own E39 wagon ABS module that was acting funking (turning on the brake warning light, ABS, Traction) while sitting at a light. It would leave no codes and come back 3x a week. BBA tested and repaired the unit in 2 day turn around. As preventive I replaced all 4 speed sensors as after 100k, why expect a longer life? No more issues.

    As GC mentions over and over again as people post where to go, BBA is the one vendor that has the track record of success. Many many places do not have that success story to tell. This forum has lots of posting of those who went with the eBay sellers and the results are everything from scrap yard parts being sent back, to half done jobs, no NPF. All with long trails of tears and efforts only to come back to the modules.

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  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by toybreaker View Post
    For arguments sake calibrate the SAS.
    Ok, I calibrated the steering angle using INPA and no change, after a few minutes of driving, the DSC light comes on. Any more ideas?

  13. #13
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    have you cleared the codes lately and restarted from there?

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by hdelgado133 View Post
    Ok, I calibrated the steering angle using INPA and no change, after a few minutes of driving, the DSC light comes on. Any more ideas?
    I think the DSC module still might be bad.
    Where did you send the module to?

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  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jason5driver View Post
    Where did you send the module to?
    Quote Originally Posted by hdelgado133 View Post
    I got mine rebuilt by Autoecu1 out of West Palm Beach, FL.
    this is more than one characters.
    2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
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  16. #16
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    Status - DSC Light

    Status:
    I have sent back the module to Autoecu for warranty repair. It appears it is heat related. When I get it back, I will update.

  17. #17
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    PROBLEM RESOLVED!!
    After sending the module back, the technician called me to tell me that they could not find anything wrong with the module as it was not showing any codes. I explained to him that the module had to be heated up in order to make it failed. With that, he said he would replace "the DSC relay" and related circuitry. I received the module, installed it and have been driving the car now for two days without the DSC light coming on. I did make the car try to spin out by going around a turn rapidly to see if the DSC system was working and it was. The DSC light came on momentarily and the "power" to my right rear wheel was reduced. Hopefully, it was heat related. If it fails again, I will repost.
    Thank you to all the folks that contributed.

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