My brother has been using my f30 328i for the past couple weeks (because he doesn't have a car yet) and today he came home with several idiot lights on. The "BRAKE" light, traction control, and ABS lights are on. On the Idrive screen it says "Chassis stabilization... Drive moderately, avoid hard braking. Consult nearest service center" lovely! So I started tinkering around with the car. I let it sit for a while and restarted it, still there. I disconnected the battery for 15 min and the error is still present. I topped the brake fluid off, didn't fix anything. He didn't hit anything with the car, or run anything over (he drives it like a grandma) and it happened as he was pulling out of the driveway. I also noticed the a restraint system malfunction appear a couple times as well as a brake system warning message. I measured the battery voltage with the car off (11 volts) and with the car running (13 volts) My car has been fine for the past 3 years and I had little trouble with it. I don't really have the equipment to diagnose it, and I'd hate to take it to the dealership. Help!
Last edited by SilverShadow655; 06-19-2020 at 11:51 AM.
ASE and BMW Master Certified Technician
I'm sorry if I offended you, but I have had very bad experiences with my local dealerships.
We’re not all out to get you. And I’m sure there’s two sides to every story.
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ASE and BMW Master Certified Technician
It needs to be diagnosed with a BMW oriented scanner. That is the tool needed for that car. These aren't terribly difficult cars, but it does need the correct tools to address the issues.
It could be something as simple as a wheel speed sensor, but you'd need to ask the modules to tell you what their complaint is.
-Abel
- E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
- 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
- 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
- 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
- 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
- 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
- 2016 Mini Cooper S
I took the car to the dealership for a diagnostic, and they told me it was my rear left wheel speed sensor. They quoted me 723$ to replace, which I thought seemed kinda high. I reached out to a parts guy I know and managed to get an OEM sensor from him for 29$. It took me no more than 15 minutes to swap, and all the lights cleared by themselves. If anyone has issues similar to what I described above, try swapping the wheel speed sensors around on the car and see if the problematic sensor is the cause.
And that is exactly how the term "Stealership" get traction. I agree there are many, if not the majority, of BMW Service departments and personnel that provide Class "A" service at locale premium labor rates, but when you experience this level of greed by one, it does make one very cautious.
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