E39 Traction Control Light on Constantly

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holdgaj - 07 Feb 2007 16:50 GMT

My E39 (UK Spec 528i) has the Traction control light warning on constantly.
Its not switched off. There is also a whine from somewhere that sounds like
transmission whine which starts to occur about 5 Mins after starting to
drive the car - I guess when its started to warm up. Is there anything I can
do to reset the Traction control system - any fuses or relays I should look
at ?

I also have an ABS warning light on all the time - I understand that
cleaning an ABS sensor may clear this issue - anyone know how to do this ?
Any help appreciated.

Finally I have vibration felt through the driving seat at about 60 MPH - I
Have changed the Tyres recently but to no effect. I also experience similar
vibration on braking - but felt through the Pedal - any ideas anyone ?

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Holdgaj

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Dan Buchan - 07 Feb 2007 19:44 GMT

> My E39 (UK Spec 528i) has the Traction control light warning on constantly.
> Its not switched off. There is also a whine from somewhere that sounds like
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> cleaning an ABS sensor may clear this issue - anyone know how to do this ?
> Any help appreciated.

The ABS fault is the cause of the traction control light also. Take the
car to a BMW specialist garage who can read the codes off the computer
and tell you which wheel sensor, or whatever, it is.

For the whine, you need to establish whether it's related to engine
speed or road speed.

> Finally I have vibration felt through the driving seat at about 60

MPH - I

> Have changed the Tyres recently but to no effect. I also experience

similar

> vibration on braking - but felt through the Pedal - any ideas anyone ?

Possibly warped brake discs. But get the wheels balance checked first.

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holdgaj - 08 Feb 2007 18:26 GMT

The whine appears to be related to road speed - its still there with the
(auto) gearbox in neutral & the engine idling.

How do these wheel sensors work - are they magnetic or optical ? How does
one clean them ?

Signature

Holdgaj

>> My E39 (UK Spec 528i) has the Traction control light warning on
>> constantly. Its not switched off. There is also a whine from somewhere
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
> Possibly warped brake discs. But get the wheels balance checked first.

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JoshIII - 07 Feb 2007 19:49 GMT

Have you had the brakes serviced lately? There
might be air in the brake lines or a leaky brake line
or wheel cylinder, if its not a mal-functioning
wheel sensor.

If you see evidence of brake fluid on inside of wheels
of puddles in the carport after you apply the brakes,
its time to get brake system check.

The brake fluid (unless its DOT5 silicone) absorbs
moisture from the air, and can put water in the
brake system over time. Water in the brake
system corrodes the wheel and master cylinder
and results in leaky brake system.

That is why its a good ideal to replace brake fluid
every few years, unless your brake system is using
the silicone (DOT5) brake fluid, that does not
absorb moisture.

Repeating: DOT3 and DOT4 brake fluids absorb moisture
when exposed to air containing water vapor.

DOT5 (silicone) brake fluid *does not*
absorb moisture.

Do not mix DOT5 with either DOT3 or DOT4.

Good luck!

JoshIII
upstate south carolina
josh3i at hotmail . com

> My E39 (UK Spec 528i) has the Traction control light warning on constantly.
> Its not switched off. There is also a whine from somewhere that sounds like
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> Have changed the Tyres recently but to no effect. I also experience similar
> vibration on braking - but felt through the Pedal - any ideas anyone ?

Reply to this Message

admin - 08 Feb 2007 18:55 GMT

> That is why its a good ideal to replace brake fluid
> every few years, unless your brake system is using
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Do not mix DOT5 with either DOT3 or DOT4.

And do NOT put DOT5 in your BMW. It is not compatible with ABS/DSC
hydraulics and will cost you a fortune to fix once you've done it.

> Good luck!
>
> JoshIII

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