Problem with DSC :(

[JAMMA]

Hey guys, the dsc on my 02 x5 is playing up. Ive hooked up my bmw scanner and all that comes up is the following message "090 temporary system deactivation"

Can anyone shed some light on this for me please? I changed the glow plugs on the car yesterday and the it was totally fine before that, but as soon as I started the car up and went for a drive the dsc error showed up. Is it possible ive knocked something or disconnected something and not plugged it back in for this dsc error to be appearing?

cheers,

Jamma

[X5Sport]

Might sound daft, but it isn't intended to be.  Have you pressed the DSC button by accident?  If not, does anything change if you press the button?

[JAMMA]

nothing happens when the dsc button is pressed. if i clear the codes and start the car up everything is fine. as soon as I drive off "dsc deactivated" or something along those lines flashes up on the dash. The dsc and abs lights stay illuminated.

[X5Sport]

Losing the ABS would cause the DSC to have issues as well.  The most obvious thing I can think of is whether (as you suspect) anything got 'disturbed' when you were working on the engine doing the plugs.  It's hopefully no more than a careful check of the wires around the engine and braking systems to make sure nothing has come unplugged etc.

See if there any clues on the TIS with regards to connections etc......TIS Website links for braking system.

[JAMMA]

hmm well thinking about it being an abs problem, i washed the wheels as well yesterday and was right in about the inside of the wheels. I could have disturbed one of the sensors. Ive took the car another drive and all the lights are off, then as soon as i drive the abs dsc and brake light all come on at once.

[rjkc600]

Any local garage can plug it in and get you the error code.  It could be one of the abs sensors didn't like being blasted with the jet wash, but a quick code read will help you figure it out.

Where are you based?

[shadrack]

if you suspect an abs sensor you need to visually check them all and if that brings nothing obvious i would then test each one under the bonnet at the module with a multi meter

[strummer]

i had this problem and it was the throttle body needing replacing,the dsc/abs and brake light come on as a warning the car is not fuelling correctly,weird,but there you go,you need to get a decent indie to plug in an have a look

[strummer]

re reading your post it may well be one of the glow plugs is not functioning correctly causing a rich mixture which is a big no no in the age of saving the planet,I read somewhere that if an X5 detects an over rich mixture it will shut down 50 % of the fuel injection so the car is basically undrivable till you get it fixed,so you have a minor fault and the ecu introduces a major one! very handy miles from home...

[X5Sport]

The glowplugs only operate for less than 0.5 sec at these air temps and once the engine starts the DDE will takeover running the engine normally.  Although the plugs will work at coolant temps below 25C, that's only to ease starting and the fuel system gives a slightly rich first pulse anyway to get the engine running hence you get a puff of smoke on a colder mornings.  Performance is not affected in the way you are describing.  If the engine goes into limp mode (which is I think what you are describing) then the yellow engine symbol warning light also comes on.