[woggledog]

Hey all.

So, turn the car on yesterday and the dreaded DTC error lights:



I don't have anything to read the codes so was hoping that:

1. someone local would be kind enough to do it or
2. someone would sell me a VM / cable to enable me to use INPA

I've tried numerous times to get INPA up and running on a VM to no avail :-(

I'm in Kingston but am happy to travel if need be. I'd like to be forearmed before I take it to the dealer. Incidentally, it also needs a service, so if it does need parts, the cost may be offset a little

[Sensible_]

What fault code is it? Use to the BC button to get to 'Check' then long press the BC button. It should show a fault code...

It's probably the ABS / DTC sensor. E9X often suffer with this. A dealer will probably charge you £140 for diagnosis and then parts and labour on top. I'd go to a local inde / bmw specialist.

[KM79]

If this fault showed up as soon as you started car rather than drive it my money's on the dsc hydro unit.

[woggledog]

Originally Posted by Sensible_

What fault code is it? Use to the BC button to get to 'Check' then long press the BC button. It should show a fault code...

It's probably the ABS / DTC sensor. E9X often suffer with this. A dealer will probably charge you £140 for diagnosis and then parts and labour on top. I'd go to a local inde / bmw specialist.

with the engine turned off, I get OK
With the engine on, the first image on ID 236:



I've ordered one of these http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=959417 from fleabay to try and save some money (I already have the cable but gave up the will to live trying to get INPA installed correctly).

If it's a sensor, thenI should be able to have a go myself, else it may be an ABS pump off eBay / Talk with BMW UK regarding the maintenance kit

[woggledog]

Originally Posted by KrisM79

If this fault showed up as soon as you started car rather than drive it my money's on the dsc hydro unit.

Cheers…. I'll know more on weds when I get the reader

[KM79]

You do get a repair kit for these dsc pumps and it's not too hard a job doing but brakes need bled etc

[woggledog]

Originally Posted by KrisM79

You do get a repair kit for these dsc pumps and it's not too hard a job doing but brakes need bled etc

I'm guessing any BMW indie can do this. I managed to repair the matrix in the radio, so I'm not completely cack handed. Will report back once I get the cable & software

[old grey steve]

Repair kits on the 320's and alike are fairly inexpensive compared with those used in the 325, 330 models for instance.

There are a few kits for these they start at £140.07 plus VAT, we've done loads and yet another one today. Time wise start to finish no more than 2 hours and the car will require a brake fluid service as well.

But any BMW Indy will know the score with these units when looked at on an Autologic machine were looking for the telltale hydro unit internal description which from memory comes up as 5FA0 and 5FA1 code(might of got the odd letter wrong)but it's the actual description that gives the game away usually 2 codes when dialled in to will go hand in hand.

The other thing we are seeing is that the ring in the actual driveshaft can fail, they basically swell causing an inconsistency on every rotation of the driveshaft this will create an issue re the speed sensor(adversely wearing it causing an issue-flagging the dreaded light and in some cases causing a violent loss of power when the cars turning say into a corner) these especially on the earlier 05 plate cars are becoming more of an issue.

[woggledog]

Oh well….

Bought the cable currently on ebay for £24. Came with one click install INPA, etc

I have one fault on the glow plugs, but it's not huge. However….



Does the error count show how many times the error has occurred? It's plausible that the car has been started 23 times since last Friday...