Yep, he's dead, Jim. A used MK60 ABS module is in order.

 

Thanks for the tip about the MK60. I would not have known. There are a couple of 04-05 E46s at the local yard. I'll see what I can get from them.

 

It's dead, and no surprise either since your car is a 2002. As these cars age, this problem is becoming more frequent and is especially common on 2002's for whatever reason. When mine failed, I bought the replacement module then put the job off for years, over fears about the coding. Ended up not being too bad.

I recommend replacing the master cylinder too while you're in there, it's been revised many times since 2002.

https://www.rmeuropean.com/Products/34336785666-MFG4-V304.aspx

Also get the newest module you can find on eBay. Like the MC, it's also been revised many times. Absolutely do not get one from a <2004 car, or you may end up doing the job again.

This is the same part number I used, worked just great in my car. Pretty good deal.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-01-06-...TEM-ABS-PUMP-CONTROL-MODULE/164098273896?hash=item263504f268:g:ryIAAOSwT-NeVnxb

 

Do make sure it's an mk60, though-
earlier cars and xi's use the earlier version.

t

 

I had to do this a couple of years ago. If your module is under the master cylinder as mine was you'll also have to remove the master cylinder and bleed the system. It's not a fun job. Some models have it in the drug bin and that makes it easy. I hope you're lucky on that one. I paid $50 to have it coded. After it's coded you shouldn't have any more problems.

 

If your module is under the master cylinder as mine was you'll also have to remove the master cylinder and bleed the system. It's not a fun job.

It is possible to remove just the ABS control module without removing the master cylinder. It’s tight and fiddly for sure. Check out some threads and videos that cover it.

 

Moving the pieces into place to get this fixed:

- BMW Tools installed on my T31 laptop
- K+DCAN cable ordered
- Master cylinder ordered from FCP
- Grabbed an ABS/DSC module from a 2005 325 at the junkyard today.

Can you guys confirm this is the one I need?

Really glad I got it from the junkyard rather than ordering one online; got some good insight as to how to get in there, remove the old one and install the new one. I really don't see how it would be possible to replace it without removing the brake MC... There was barely enough room to swing a flare nut wrench on the fittings even with the MC removed.

 

Gotta see the module for the numbers, but yeah being from a RWD car it should work in your car without issue. Also, not sure how far you***8217;re looking to go, but I would also consider doing the brake hoses on all corners at the same time. Unfortunately FCP doesn***8217;t have them, but the OEM ATE hoses I used are available $12/ea from RMEuropean. Never seen them fail on these cars, but it***8217;s cheap insurance on a critical component IMO.

Scope creep bit me hard when I did this job lol

 

Thanks. I think I'm just going to stick to the current scope of repairs. I'll be using INPA and my Motive bleeder for the first time; I think that's enough uncharted territory for one job.

Question: How did you keep from making a mess in the engine bay? In other words, did you bleed all the brake fluid out through the calipers first? Should I / is it possible to cycle the old ABS pump to get all the fluid out?

Removing the module from the junkyard car was a supremely messy job, and I'd rather not repeat that experience for my E46.

 

It's been a while, but to my memory I used a turkey baster and that took care of most of the fluid. Based on the pic looks like I didn't drain the calipers before removing the unit. When I removed the lines from the ABS block there was very minimal spillage. Still I'd keep towels handy.

Also I never cycled the pump during this job. People say you need to when purging the air from the new ABS block, but my Motive and gravity took care of it just fine. YMMV.

 

Hey. I've done this job before. My DIY is in my sig.

Just as a heads up though. You may as well put a new master cylinder in.

 

Oh awesome. Thanks for that.

New MC is on its way from FCP...

 

So I got the BMW Tools suite installed on my laptop last week.

Today was the mechanical part of the job. Not too bad.

This doodad worked great at siphoning most of the fluid out of the MC:

It was still a very messy job, though.

Bad DSC module out:

"New" DSC module and MC in:

Used this for the first time to flush all the brake and clutch hydraulics. Worked great:

A few observations:

1. SO glad I pulled a junkyard unit for this job; I knew exactly how to go in and effect the replacement.
2. There's a special place in hell reserved for the engineers who decided A) it would be a good idea to put a tiny torx head on the reservoir-to-MC holding pin at a reeeeeally awkward angle and B) to use a 7 (!!!) mm bleed screw for the clutch. Seriously. :censor: :banghead:

And a question:

So tomorrow I'm going to code the unit to the car. Given that I've already bled the whole system, do I still need to cycle the ABS pump, and if so, do I need to re-bleed everything afterward?

 

I would absolutely cycle it. I thought I had done the same but one hard brake that activated ABS gave me mush for a pedal. If just for peace of mind if you think you got it all out already.

 

After I did all that you have done I did use my Schwaben tool to cycle the ABS pump. Just to be sure. Then I got it coded and it's worked perfectly for more than 18 months.

 

I did cycle ABS also with Schwaben tool when I replaced one of the pressure sensors, got nervous since I realized I should have gotten all wheels up in the air. Luckily no problem arises.

 

^Thanks guys. Having a hell of a time getting the unit coded. I ran through the procedure multiple times and even drove the car for a bit before trying it again, and it still won't "take." A HUGE thanks to @Bali who spent 45 minutes on the phone with me this afternoon helping me try to get it sorted out. 👍

Error message in BMW Scanner (PA Soft):

Error message in INPA, top half:

Bottom half:

The DSC and brake lights are illuminated on the dash, both yellow. Car drives fine. Even after bleeding, the brake pedal is a little mushier than I'd like, but it's not unsafe.

Any insight on getting this thing coded would be appreciated. Thanks all.

 

BTW a HUGE thanks to @Bali who spent 45 minutes on the phone with me this afternoon helping me try to get it sorted out. 👍

 

After seeing the "LWS" in your screen shot above and reading the end of post #2 in Silverdogz thread here
https://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpost.php?p=17312649&postcount=2
it appears this error is from the steering angle sensor module, which simply needs to be calibrated.

This article covers steering angle calibration.
http://blog.obdii365.com/2015/02/03/reset-bmw-e46-steering-angle-sensor-with-inpa-cable/

Here's another way. Open INPA and navigate as follows: E46, Chassis, MK60, Activate, Steering Angle Calibration, wait a few seconds for the confirmation, done!

And a video for funsies...
https://youtu.be/6zNVZwYSVMg

 

Thanks again @Bali. Will give that a try and report back.

 

Well, I tried to get into the ASC/DSC submenu in INPA, and I got the below and it kicked me back out to the main menu. Bad steering angle sensor?

 

I tried to get into the ASC/DSC submenu in INPA...and it kicked me back out to the main menu.

That is because the ASC/DSC item is for older 323/328 models. Your car has MK60.

Select Chassis, then Steering angle sensor.

 

Does the MK60 care about the VIN? I coded mine (MK20) and calibrated the angle sensor, and that was 'all' I had to do...

I agree with Bali, the German seems to be telling you to recalibrate the steering angle to the ABS module. The PASoft descriptions aren't always right.

https://e46fanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?p=15619497 seems to agree, altho it's not a treasure trove of detail.

https://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?p=14780202 last post here describes what I did, too.

fwiw,
t

 

Does the MK60 care about the VIN? I coded mine (MK20) and calibrated the angle sensor, and that was 'all' I had to do...
I agree with Bali, the German seems to be telling you to recalibrate the steering angle to the ABS module.

My gut says the VIN does not matter, but I know the VO must be correct for everything to work right and other CAN bus modules to be happy.

I think coding OP’s ABS module succeeded. No errors from NCS Expert and we verified the ABS module now has the car’s VIN. I suspect the VO was written ok.

Pretty sure the steering angle calibration is all that is left to do here. I texted OP, hopefully I can help him get this done when he gets free.

-Scott
needs to brush up on his NCS Expert skillz...

 

Only certain versions of INPA actually have the LWS recalibrating.

 

True. Since INPA is just executing scripts behind the scenes, it’s more about having the UI option to kick off the right script. I’ve seen several ways to initiate steering angle calibration in INPA, and you can do it with a single job in Tool32.

 

My version of INPA didn't have the steering angle sensor calibration function. I had to use Tool32, which was included in the software suite I purchased. Followed this IIRC:

https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=890659

Believe I clicked either DSC E46 or DSC MK60, maybe Bali can confirm which one to use for our cars.

 

Yes, that’s the way to do it using Tool32.

I believe these are the .PRG files for each type of ABS module. All are located under C:\EDIABAS\ECU\

• Teves MK20: ascmk20.prg, dsc_e46.prg
• Bosch 5.7: dsc57.prg
• Teves MK60: dsc_mk60.prg

 

Just got off the phone with OP. We used Tool32 to run the lenkwinkel (steering angle) job in dsc_mk60.prg, then cleared the related error code in the ABS module and it finally stayed off. He still needs to test drive the car, but I think it's done.

 

It's a thing of beauty. (no warning lights)l With @Bali's help, I had to use Tool32 to calibrate the steering angle sensor and FINALLY clear the last code. Still need to cycle the ABS pump and do a final bleed, but that's small potatoes compared to the electronic hoops I had to jump through. I would have been completely at sea without everyone's help, so thank you all. :thanks:

 

Getting those lights off my dash after 2 years was the most satisfying repair I did to my E46. Congrats!

Coincidentally the same trifecta (accompanied by periodic limp mode) has plagued my F30 since Thursday. Going to the dealer tomorrow, glad this one's under warranty.

 

Thanks! And yeah, it was a huge pain in the rear, mechanically and electronically... I told Bali it just confirms my desire to not buy anything newer than an E46 if this is the kind of thing I would have to deal with on a regular basis just to effect a basic repair.

Good luck with the F30 repairs! I hope the dealer does right by you...