Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

ABS Module Failure?

Discuss the problems with your X5 (E53).
Post Reply
User avatar
Monty84
Member
Member
Posts: 70
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2014 11:58 pm
Location: Lincolnshire

ABS Module Failure?

Post by Monty84 » Wed Jun 10, 2015 10:38 pm

I have been getting an ABS and ESP Failure over the past month or so.
while looking in to this I realised that my oil filter was leaking from the center seal and also the header tank expansion pipework.

All four ABS sensors have been changed if they needed it or not.
I have now replaced the expansion pipework and changed the oil filter and replaced the oil filter.
a fair amount of oil and water has soaked the area below where the ABS Module lives.

i am now getting the issue that when the oil temperature of the engine gets warm about 12 miles in to a journey, the ABS, ESP and another light all come up. i can only drive in manual and i am restricted to 75 MPH, sometimes restricted to 40 MPH, if you go over this it locks you in to forth gear until restarting the engine.
when left to cool, say over night, next time you use the car its fine again until 12 miles and all starts again.

i am probably clutching at straws due to the comments i have read regarding ABS module failures, however i am going to take the expansion pipework and oil filter off its fitting and get access to the abs lump to clean all connections with electrical cleaner and hope for the best.

any other suggestions or has it had its day?

if so can i just get a replacement and fit it, does it have to be coded, can i do this with the software 1.4?

when i plug it in at present i have the errors that front drivers speed sensor is open circuit and some times that front passengers is open circuit also.  haven't checked at this stage with multimeter due to access

2003 4.6 E53 X5
Owner of the Ultimate Labrador Carriage

2003/53 4.6IS E53

User avatar
Monty84
Member
Member
Posts: 70
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2014 11:58 pm
Location: Lincolnshire

Re: ABS Module Failure?

Post by Monty84 » Thu Jun 11, 2015 5:44 pm

Well got the car stripped back this afternoon and module split. Everything looks ok and not lathered in oil like I hoped. For a big car there's very little room to access the abs module. I removed the front passengers head light and worked from the void left exposed.

Module out and now looking for a replacement. Gor the hassle it was to get it out I want to got a known good spare rather than hoping the original may work after a spit shine.

Does anybody know if you can just swap these items or do they have to be coded to the car? I have 1.4 software on my laptop and can talk to the car, but haven't looked deep enough in to coding to know whether it has to be done or can be done. Image
Owner of the Ultimate Labrador Carriage

2003/53 4.6IS E53

User avatar
Monty84
Member
Member
Posts: 70
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2014 11:58 pm
Location: Lincolnshire

Re: ABS Module Failure?

Post by Monty84 » Thu Jun 11, 2015 5:45 pm

Part numbersImage
Owner of the Ultimate Labrador Carriage

2003/53 4.6IS E53

User avatar
Ubatoid
Member
Member
Posts: 342
Joined: Sat Oct 29, 2011 11:28 am
Location: Clacton, Essex

Re: ABS Module Failure?

Post by Ubatoid » Fri Jun 12, 2015 11:46 pm

Try BBA Reman, they will test and if necessary repair for the same price as a replacement. All work guaranteed.
2002 4.4 cooking on gas

User avatar
pvr
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 5254
Joined: Fri Jul 30, 2010 5:13 pm
Location: West Sussex

Re: ABS Module Failure?

Post by pvr » Sat Jun 13, 2015 8:50 am

Just as an aside, impressive work on that unit  :thumbsup:
X5M F85,  Golf Clipper, Abarth 595 Competizioni, Jeep

911 50th anniversary -
Site & Forum Admin Team Member.

User avatar
Monty84
Member
Member
Posts: 70
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2014 11:58 pm
Location: Lincolnshire

Re: ABS Module Failure?

Post by Monty84 » Sat Jun 13, 2015 11:26 am

Got a few quotes and best reasonable price i got was from a company in derbyshire called ECU Testing Ltd. 
sent it to them yesterday, my poor machine is sat lifeless at present, can't wait to get her back on the road.
well she's out of play i am going to get an oil and filter change underway and clean the engine bay from a previous oil leak from a bad filter mid seal.  shame its hammering down with rain today.
Owner of the Ultimate Labrador Carriage

2003/53 4.6IS E53

User avatar
Monty84
Member
Member
Posts: 70
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2014 11:58 pm
Location: Lincolnshire

Re: ABS Module Failure?

Post by Monty84 » Fri Jun 19, 2015 3:04 pm

Received word from ECUTesting.com today that the module is faulty and repairable, which in a weird way is good news, at least the location of the fault has been determined.  Should be in the post at the end of today and hopfully back in my car tomorrow. £240 for test, repair and postal, seems fairly reasonable to me.
Owner of the Ultimate Labrador Carriage

2003/53 4.6IS E53

User avatar
Monty84
Member
Member
Posts: 70
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2014 11:58 pm
Location: Lincolnshire

Re: ABS Module Failure?

Post by Monty84 » Tue Jun 23, 2015 10:49 pm

Abs module now refitted and re MOT'd this afternoon. All is well and I am back in my car again, I have missed her over the past week.  I have been driving my wife's Astra and so glad to be back in the X5.  We need to get rid of the Astra and buy a decent second car. Maybe another X5!
Owner of the Ultimate Labrador Carriage

2003/53 4.6IS E53

Post Reply