1999 740I Brake and ABS lights ON

[PBeers]

I cleaned all the sensors for all four wheels, Fluid full, New tires - correct ones, New Brake Pads. When I start the car after it has been sitting for a while the lights are off until I step on the brake pedal to put it in gear, then both the brake and abs lights come on. Any Suggestions greatly appreciated.

[lincolnmaster80]

Perhaps a brake is sticking?

Also, as just a good measure, try putting the hand break (e-brake) all the way off, not just by pulling the release lever (if you have a foot e-brake) but pull the e-brake pedal with your foot or push the brake handle all the way down...

[PBeers]

I tried the brake sticking theory. No luck, However, now that I have re-cleaned the wheel sensors, the lights were off for about five miles then back on. Seems to be worse when its cold. Still on now. I was wondering if I took the car to the dealer, would they connect it to a computer and tell me what the problem is for a fee? Anyone tried this for diagnostics before without being burned?

[lincolnmaster80]

FREE!?!?! If you do find a BMW dealership who'll scan your diag for error codes for free, please post it on here. The stealers will charge about $75 each go.

On the other hand, buy this once and it'll pay for itself on the second use.

http://www.peakeresearch.com/code_tool.htm

And who's to say the dealership will find something. Personally, I'd rather spend double the amount on a tool I can use again and again to see what my car is "thinking" when something does go wrong.

[lincolnmaster80]

Well, it can be worth a shot if you want the dealership to scan your diag. You might find something...

[PBeers]

The Peak Research scanner is good for MIL codes but not for brake problems. I have one and I also have a Very Expensive scanner that works in the plug on the dash. The only scanner that I know of that will scan ABS problems is the one at the BMW Dealership. My next step is to flush the brake system and install new brake fluid. At that point if I still have the problem, the dealership scanner looks like my only option. If its one of the sensors, I'll replace it. Without the scan, its only a shot in the dark as far as which sensor is bad and there are four with the price of over 100 each and replacing them one at a time until I find the bad one is like throwing dice and if it comes to replacing all four its about 500 and still may not correct the problem. I think the Dealer scan is my only option at this point.

[PBeers]

PS....I said for a FEE, not for FREE. Read.

[lincolnmaster80]

DOH Well, if you ever do find a dealer who'll scan for free, let us now anyhow? HEHE Sorry about that!

What if you got a multimeter and tested the power going to the sensor and compared it to the other one(s)? If you want to take off all four wheels that is. If you're up for a little more work to save some of that cash for a few beers, that is.

[RKB2525]

I just recently had the same problem on a 99' 740iL with 65,000 miles. I found someone locally (not a dealer) who worked on European cars. The quote from the invoice was "Pulled codes for ABS relay and module. Suggested brake flush in an attempt to repair problem. Retest after brake flush and cleared codes. Codes came back on first road test, needs ABS module. Replaced ABS module, reprogram and adapt system, lengthy road test. Car currently has no ABS warning lights displayed, no codes on computer" My final cost was $865.93. These cars are definately not cheap to have worked on. - Keith

[lincolnmaster80]

Originally Posted by RKB2525

These cars are definately not cheap to have worked on. - Keith

Especially when you get your local garage to fix it!

Glad it's all fixed though and good to hear you're back on the road in the 7!