brake problem with e53 x5 4.8is traction control light help pls!!

[a2ssm]

Hi

Hope all members are well.

I recently had my car put on the bmw scanner tool 1.4.0

The error it came up with was


ABS*  ->  5EB0/E0 - Steering angle sensor: internal Error : Signal invalid.

          Errors after clear:

          no errors

The traction control light was on.

After clearing the codes the light went off.

I took the car for a drive and i could feel traction kick in or something similar from the left side front wheel area whilst i was taking a right turn.  I thought that was a bit odd but then the light came back on.

So after a while of driving i get "brake fluid level low" message.

And i feel my brakes going spongy.

I don't know if that was a coincidence or it is related but my rear brakes are now not working at all  :blink:

I topped up fluid the next day and had the brakes bled from a local indy and he said that he could not see any leaks and he bled the brakes for a while and the fluid was coming out from all the bleed nipples. But no rear brakes  :'(

THIS WAS DONE WHILST THE CAR WAS ON RAMP WITH ALL 4 WHEELS HANGING OFF

I have heard that the breaks should be bled with the tyres on the ground due to compensatory rear box or something like that and it has a valve that closes if the wheels are off ground.

Also i have read the brakes have to be bled via a computer if air in ABS system

Im from shipley near bradford, leeds.

So was hoping if anybody could help or knows anybody who knows what they are doing.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks 

[X5Sport]

It might be a master cylinder issue too.  How low was the fluid level?  Had it been changed in the last two years (it should be)?.

Additionally if you have any air in the ABS unit up front (which it sounds as if you might have) then you need to go to a specialist with the correct computer hardware, or a BMW Dealer, who can cycle the ABS unit via their GT1 system and get rid of the air.  All the ABS valves need cycling in a specific order whilst the whole system is bled under a light vacuum.

It does need specialist equipment if the fluid level got low enough to allow air in between the reservoir, master cylinder and ABS unit.

Richard

[a2ssm]

I had to add 300ml to get to Max line. There was brake fluid in bottle but quite below minimum.

Anybody with specialist equipment in Bradford? Leeds?

[X5Sport]

300ml is a lot. 

When I bled my system I only used about a litre to do it all.  Sounds to me like you have an air problem.  I don't know of any Indy Garages that specialise in BMW in that area, and you need to be careful driving the car as it's unsafe with no rear brakes. I take it the garage you used is not a BMW specialist?

I know you said the Indy had looked, but if the fluid had got that low check very closely for signs of a leak, particularly where the pipes emerge from the rear sills?  That is a well known corrosion spot and not easy to see.  What state are all the pads in?  If the pads are all OK then you need to find where that much fluid disappeared to.  Even new to completely worn out pads won't lose that much.  Worn pads should have triggered a warning light too.

Richard

[shadrack]

[quote="a2ssm"]
I had to add 300ml to get to Max line. There was brake fluid in bottle but quite below minimum.

Anybody with specialist equipment in Bradford? Leeds?
[/quote]

no but theres a top man at york who sorted my brakes when no one else could, atlas autos york

http://www.atlasautoservices.co.uk/

[a2ssm]

Thank you Richard for your fast replies.

Are the 4.8is brakes same as the rest of the x5?

I've got it booked in tomorrow at a specialist. See what happens  ::)

[X5Sport]

Just bigger!

[a2ssm]

Update. Car has been with Indy's for 4 days. the rear brake pipes were corroded. Both replaced. They told me the bleeding was an absolute night mare.

Good news is brakes are back.

Bad news is it wasn't a cheap job. 

[X5Sport]

Glad it's sorted.  Bleeding will be a 'challenge' without the right kit.  It sounds as if they don't have either Bosch Autologic or a GT1 (the BMW system).

Richard

[briankerrys47]

[quote="a2ssm"]
Update. Car has been with Indy's for 4 days. the rear brake pipes were corroded. Both replaced. They told me the bleeding was an absolute night mare.

Good news is brakes are back.

Bad news is it wasn't a cheap job. 
[/quote]How 'Cheap'

[Chrisw4266]

Changed both rear brake flexis on mine and bled all 4 brakes with just the missus, a bit of washer pipe and an old oasis bottle no probs at all. Some garages insist on using pressure or vacuum bleeders and I think that's where the problems start.

[X5Sport]

[quote="Chrisw4266"]
Changed both rear brake flexis on mine and bled all 4 brakes with just the missus, a bit of washer pipe and an old oasis bottle no probs at all. Some garages insist on using pressure or vacuum bleeders and I think that's where the problems start.
[/quote]

Other issue is if you get air into the ABS Modulator.  If you put cling film over the reservoir and screw the cap down then it generates a small vacuum and keeps air out.  You can then change pipes with no trouble - as you found.  In this case the fluid level was way too low and air got in and that means special processes to get the ABS valves cycling.

I've bled BMW brakes with no problem too as air did not get into the modulator.

Richard

[Chrisw4266]

[quote="X5Sport"]
[quote="Chrisw4266"]
Changed both rear brake flexis on mine and bled all 4 brakes with just the missus, a bit of washer pipe and an old oasis bottle no probs at all. Some garages insist on using pressure or vacuum bleeders and I think that's where the problems start.
[/quote]

Other issue is if you get air into the ABS Modulator.  If you put cling film over the reservoir and screw the cap down then it generates a small vacuum and keeps air out.  You can then change pipes with no trouble - as you found.  In this case the fluid level was way too low and air got in and that means special processes to get the ABS valves cycling.

I've bled BMW brakes with no problem too as air did not get into the modulator.

Richard
[/quote]
Agreed keeping the fluid topped up is key to avoiding air ingress issues.

[a2ssm]

the garage had auto logic.  I was there for a short while and i could see them struggling as one guy was with the machine inside the car on the ramp and the other was near the wheels.  I could hear the ABS kick in when bleeding.  So must have had air in the pump as it seemed to be really bad.

The part that was corroded were at the rear under the covers as they can not be picked up in MOT due to covers.
Weak spot on the x5.

Cost me around £300 mark.

Next problem now is steering angle sensor fault.  Will start a new thread

Thanks guys for all the help and special thanks to richard 

[shadrack]

Who did it?  Should of had them look at steering angle whilst in. They hard to bleed as above when air gets in abs