DSC Light Permenantly ON. ABS Fine.

100%Cocoa · 8th September 2011, 15:00

Hi guys,

When I started the car this morning the DSC light did not go of as it normally does. Pressing the DSC button does nothing. There are NO other warning lights.

I tried afew things on the way to work and the DSC is definitely off, as my sideways exit from the Tesco's roundabout proved

.

The ABS however appeas to be fine, as I actually didn't crash into the back of the Saab 93 that was trying to beat me to work, and then messed up his M4/A4 exit strategy just by West London Audi.

I'll plug ABO into INPA when I get home later and get some codes off her, but I wondered if anyone had any previous experience or just thoughts on the matter? I did some searching and it seems that a dodgy DSC unit causes the ABS light to come on as well, so I'm hoping it's not that.

I'll post again when I've got the INPA results but feel free to chip in if you have an idea how much pain my wallet is about to go through!

Barney.

cab · 8th September 2011, 15:21

It could be one of the wheel sensors - you can check that with INPA (it will show you all 4 sensors and the codes). However, on the wife's 530i (identical symptoms) it was the ABS module which I had rebuilt for $185 USD + shipping (took a week). Several places on E-bay, etc. Tons of threads on the BMW ABS module on Bimmerforums.com I used BBA Remanufacturing (recommended on the other board) who actually may have a UK location.

yellowgixxer · 8th September 2011, 15:25

Hi Barney,

I think that if a wheel sensor goes u/s then it takes the ABS out as well. Certainly did on mine. Do you have anything else weird happening? Mileometer not going up, for example? Because perhaps you're just good at modulating your brakes and the ABS actually isn't working at all?

I'm going to hope for that because it's the cheapest option. Other than a blown fuse, of course. Is there a DSC fuse?

SB

Strike · 8th September 2011, 15:46

Check the brake light microswitch on the brake pedal. Sometimes it comes loose and can cause that. Happened to mine. Don't know how it happened but checked it, snapped it into place, all was well again.

Sailor24 · 8th September 2011, 16:14

Different DSC unit on this car ,but it is all I have. My sisters 3 wagon had DSC only light and it was a steering angle sensor. I forget exactly what the reset procedure was but I think it was as simple as lock to lock steering wheel rotation. The other thing people were giving me as a possibility was the G force sensor. Never got that far because the steering had the code. Don't think you will have a problem figuring it out once you plug it in.

Lunker325 · 8th September 2011, 17:11

Also check your brake fluid level. Happened to me a while ago, topped off the brake fluid, been fine ever since.

100%Cocoa · 8th September 2011, 18:42

Thanks fro the replies guys. I'll be off home in a mo so we'll see what INPA shows up. Fingers crossed it's a nice simple one! I'll try the ABS again too just to be sure too.

lothar · 8th September 2011, 18:44

I had a similar issue, but the light would intermittently come on (car usually started without it lit up). I had a number of steering angle sensor faults. Cleared the errors, recalibrated the sensor and it hasn't been back since.

ACHTUNGM5 · 8th September 2011, 19:12

brake fluid

100%Cocoa · 8th September 2011, 20:53

So...... I've spent a while browsing my modules and I think we have an answer. I'll just attach the pics and let you see for yourself.....

A few points first:

1) The car was completely normal on the way home. No lights and all functions seemed ok. Don't you just love intermittent faults

2) The fault seems obvious when you see the error code screen grabs......

3) When I read the analogue readings, the DSC light, Brake Pad Light & ABS light all came on and the DSC button did nothing. They went off after a while though and everything's fine again. Has anyone else got experience of this?

4) I included a bunch of other pics as I thought those without INPA would be curious to see just a tiny snippet of the wealth of information it can give you!

Now the pics -

.