ABS check light came on!!! please HELP!!!! - United Bimmer Community

**delmarco** · 07-02-2005, 10:06 AM

So last year July 2004 my check brake light (rotors) came on. BMW of Manhattan told me the problem. And I got new rotors and (i think) pads at their BMW dealership and since then over the year I've put 17,000 miles on my car.

This morning my ABS check light came on....but of course my brakes are working fine. I'm not sure what should I be looking for. Does this mean I need new pads, rotors, sensors, what?

Thanks.

I know if I go to the dealership its about $500 alone to look at it.

**zeit00** · 07-02-2005, 12:08 PM

Clean your ABS sensors first. And go ahead and replace the relays. Both are cheap and easy to do. If not the pump sometimes fails.. But you want to make sure of that first. You could always test to see if your ABS works by finding something slick to brake on.. Low speeds and with no traffice would be good..

**94bmw325i** · 07-02-2005, 01:22 PM

don't go to the dealership. Even if it needs to be fixed I wouldn't go to a dealership.

**Spieluhr** · 07-02-2005, 01:37 PM

the dealership will rape you. I am sure there are plenty of qualified bmw mechanics in the NY area.

**delmarco** · 07-02-2005, 01:42 PM

where are the ABS sensors? and how am i cleaning them?

thanks guys

**delmarco** · 07-02-2005, 04:12 PM

summary of what i'm hearing...It could be as simple as the plug under the dash coming out. check that first, and also check the fuses, too.
An ABS check light is most often caused by the failure of a wheel speed sensors, but it can also be caused by the failure of the ABS module or wiring faults. It has nothing to do with the brakes or rotors, per se.
It could be your ABS sensors or your ABS pump. If it's just a sensor, you're in luck. If it'd the pump, then try to find someone who is willing to sell you one off a parts car that was known to be working. They are expensive new.
Clean your ABS sensors first. And go ahead and replace the relays. Both are cheap and easy to do. If not the pump sometimes fails.. But you want to make sure of that first. You could always test to see if your ABS works by finding something slick to brake on.. Low speeds and with no traffic would be good..

but anyone know whereto look for these sensors?
thanks

**Dudesky** · 07-02-2005, 08:26 PM

Behind the rotors. All 4 wheels have brake lines (the fat hose), only the left front and right rear have brake pad sensors, and the remaining lines are the ABS sensors.

**mpowerd** · 07-03-2005, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeit00

Clean your ABS sensors first. And go ahead and replace the relays. Both are cheap and easy to do. If not the pump sometimes fails.. But you want to make sure of that first. You could always test to see if your ABS works by finding something slick to brake on.. Low speeds and with no traffice would be good..

^what he said, and also remember, when the ABS light is on....you have NO ABS...it shuts down the whole ABS system. I learned this the hard way in my E36. Check relays, sensors first. Then move onto more serious parts such as the pump. Good luck.

witeshark · 07-03-2005, 10:55 PM

Great replies! Important thing is the brakes work, as above ABS light only means you have to manually avoid brake lock up.

**xxxbimmer** · 07-06-2005, 08:27 PM

abs sensor is only 60 bux installed for a new 1