I have an 04 mcs project car and I am trying to resolve issues related to the ABS/DSC. Curently, the DSC warning light, ABS light, and TPMS lights are all on. My OBD2 scanner reads the following codes:

5E1F Vehicle Identification different
5E16 CAN connection to instrument cluster
5E5C Initialize run flat indicator
5E18 CAN data fault limit from DME/DD
5E40 Steering angle implausible.

FWIW the brakes on the car are marginal- I have new rotors, pads, and slider pins coming and I plan to flush the system with my motive bleeder.

For the run flat indicator, I have tried resetting the TPS set point with the button, no effect. Also, to my knowledge the DSC/ABS controller has never been replaced, I would be surprised if the warning about the VIN is accurate.

My current plan is to clean grounds, fix the other mechanical issues with the brakes and charging system (bad alternator) and see if any of these codes persist. For the steering angle code I tried the suggested procedure of pulling the dsc fuse.

As someone who doesn't know mini coopers well, I read these codes and think the DSC controller is likely dead. Do these codes point to any other likely issues?

 

You need to find a better code reader to pull more information.

But the ABS/DSC controllers aren't uncommon to fail, it's a quick fix but the part is $$$$$. We can get you one, but I would delve deeper into the diagnostic before shelling out the money.

 

I was using a creator C310. I can read the data stream as well.

I just ordered this diagnostic cable:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/152145310735

Reading about BMW vin coding - It seems like a big jumbled mess. I'm generally comfortable with this stuff, I have a car running a megasquirt 3 that I tuned.

Can someone recommend some reading?

 

It sounds like you've an ABS sensor or 2 that have gone for what ever reason.

 

Shouldn't I get a code related to an ABS sensor? Ideally telling me which one it is?

When I have teh car running again, I will read the wheel sensor data and see if any of them have incorrect info.

 

did you try to drive the car for few blocks to see the system updates the valves from when it was let's say towed here and there? The item you got on ebay is great and i have used it on all of my minis for module replacement and programming. there is another one i thing it is worth getting that will basically help initializing modules and resetting old driving habits. http://www.totalcardiagnostics.com/s...rice&order=ASC .At the time when i bought it, it was about $300! look for something similar to this tool...are you near philly?

 

I'm in durham NC.
I drove the car off and on for about 2 months while the lights were on. I haven't driven since the alternator and AC compressor crapped out.

I just poked around the engine bay near the ABS module. I found a drain that was totally clogged. THis car was parked outside so I can imaging that area filling with water. I also checked the two abs related fuses under the hood, both show continuity. I was hoping to get lucky and have it be something that simple.


I took a stab at pulling the electrical connector on the ABS module without removing it or pulling any of the brake lines. has anyone done this successfully? Ideally, I would like to keep all the hydraulics in place since that is going to be a huge pain to bleed.

 

Also,
Does anyone have a link for an 2004 r53 (12/03 build date) wiring diagram? The planet BMW links are dead now.

 

i come from an R55, R56 background. when i replaced the DME, the ABS module "lost" communication even when i put the original DME back. I used NCS to "re-program" it and after that it was fine. So, just wait till you get your item and we can take care of it better, unless someone has another experience

 

Okay, good to know. I'll worry about coding it first. This car sat for months without low or no voltage so that sounds like a reasonable cause.

I still need to trace down the parasitic draw that was killing the previous owners batteries rapidly.