Bad form to follow-up your own posts, but I did want to note
that I ordered a new relay and will try that - the old
one had loose connectors that could cause signals that may
have confused the controller. But if that doesn't work,
are there computer diagnostics for ABS problems on an 89 325i?
The sensors are $150/per. Before I replace one, I'd like
to have some reason to believe that it's defective. A
quick visual inspection didn't show any damage.
Thanks,
In article <g0c8cs$fpc$1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>, dhs <dhs@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
wrote:
>In article <g0asui$sk3$1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>,
>Scott Dorsey <kludge@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>>In article <g0ap09$ame$1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>, dhs <dhs@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
wrote:
>>>In article <g09eo5$538$1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>,
>>>Scott Dorsey <kludge@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>>>OK, I yanked the ABS relay, and didn't see the problem see
>>>the problem in a 20min test drive.
>>Sounds like an ABS issue, then. Drive it around for a week or two like
>>that and see if the problem appears again. Intermittents are funy.
>OK - I'll try that, but the 20min drive was probably enough,
>since the problem usually appears now every 4-5 stops.
>
>
>>>If so, could this be the relay? The ABS light has been
>>>intermittently on in the last few months (and is, of course,
>>>on with the relay removed). The relay, unlike the controller,
>>>is cheap enough to buy new.
>>
>>Wait.... wait... the ABS light has been intermittently coming on and
>>you did not associate it with your problem?
>For the first 2 months that I saw this problem, the ABS light
>wasn't coming on - it's just been the last few months and it's
>not 100% correlated with the perceived brake problems.
>
>>It could be the relay, but probably not. It could be an intermittent
>>wheel sensor or a wiring issue, too.
>Any cost-effective way to check these? I have the Bentley manual
>and a meter.
>
>>>Or maybe I have 3 bad controllers or ???
>>I don't know, and I don't know if your ABS system is new enough to
>>generate proper error codes for diagnosis. I do know that if you
>>continue to swap parts out without doing actual diagnosis, it will
>>cost you a fortune before you find the problem.
>
>Eventually (see above). But the two controllers cost me $50 and
>about 10min to swap them in, and sometimes swapping parts is
>cheaper than taking it to even a competent mechanic.
>
>>If you HAVE established that it's an ABS problem, you're probably
>>going to have to take it to an ABS guru. I don't drive any cars
>>new enough to have ABS so I don't work on the things much. I
>>generally don't like the whole idea of ABS but that's another story.
>I don't either - this is the first car I've ever owned that had
>ABS, and it never kicked in until it started acting up.
>Figures.
>
>>>If not, I'm not sure when I last changed the brake fluid, as
>>>another poster suggested - would that be a good place to start?
>>It probably has nothing to do with the issue, but you need to change
>>it out anyway to prevent other problems in the future. While you are
>>at it, do you remember when you last changed your transmission and
>>differential fluids? How about coolant? You gotta do this stuff.
>I actually do - I just don't remember if the brake fluid was changed
>when we did the brakes earlier this year or last year. I change my
>oil every 3 months, and the other fluids at least every other year.
>
>I think your advice about an ABS guru is probably the best course
>of action, but finding one is another matter. One of my complaints
>about mechanics is that they all charge by the hour, regardless of
>whether they solve the problem or not. So its often cheaper to
>just swap-in lesser components (used ABS controllers, ABS relays, etc)
>yourself - even if you don't solve the problem, you still have
>probably saved money because the mechanic won't need to try those
>simple things.
>
>Any recommendations for ABS (BMW?) gurus in Austin TX?
>
>Thanks,
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