DSC Fault 5E38, 2003 3.0i

pokeybritches · 03-22-2016, 05:07 PM

Update 5/3/2016 - Solved! It was the yaw rate sensor, located under the passenger seat. I bought a $29 part from a junked Mini and fixed it in about an hour. DIY to follow.

Anyone have details? I've found conflicting information online as to whether this is a wheel speed sensor or yaw rate sensor. Yellow brake, yellow tire pressure, and yellow triangle are illuminated. SES light is illuminated due to rear O2's being disconnected. The fault could not be reset with a dealer-level tool, meaning it's present at startup (sensor is disconnected or completely toast).

If it is a wheel speed sensor, does anyone have an idea of how to determine which one it is (short of pulling out each sensor and testing it with a multi-meter)?

I've read that the driver's side rear wheel speed sensor is where the speedometer and odometer pull their information. Both seem to be working fine. When I display vehicle speed on my P3Cars vent gauge, it will hop around for a split second on rare occasions, but reads accurately 99.9% of the time.

StickMon · 03-22-2016, 06:45 PM

You have INPA, don't you?
I've wondered whether it will give you individual readings off each speed sensor.
Or maybe DIS will tell you specifically which one is bad, or if it's yaw rate.

pokeybritches · 03-22-2016, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StickMon

You have INPA, don't you?
I've wondered whether it will give you individual readings off each speed sensor.
Or maybe DIS will tell you specifically which one is bad, or if it's yaw rate.

I don't have any software. I had a shop pull the DSC code. If it saves me a couple of hours troubleshooting, I might get it.

Steeler · 03-22-2016, 07:34 PM

I had the trio once, right after an alignment.
It went away of its own accord and never returned

pokeybritches · 03-22-2016, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbarton62

I had the trio once, right after an alignment.
It went away of its own accord and never returned

This has been going on for a while... over a year with no DSC, and I can't say I've missed it.

bamarider · 03-24-2016, 07:42 PM

I have the same 3 yellow lights after removing my nav screen to repaire the plastic housing. Before removal the screen was working, hooked it back up after repairing housing, no display and had the yellow lights. Will be very interested to see what you find out.

pokeybritches · 03-25-2016, 10:51 AM

I ordered a rear wheel speed sensor. I'm going to try replacing the driver's side first, and test the old and new one with a multi-meter. If there's no change, I'll try the passenger side, testing that sensor.

If there's still no change, I'll test the front sensors.

Finally, I'll look into testing the yaw rate sensor. On E46's, it's under the driver's seat. I'm not sure where it is on the Z4.

After that, I'll take it to a shop.

pokeybritches · 03-28-2016, 09:12 AM

Good news - I replaced the rear sensor, and it's a fairly easy job.

Bad news - I still have the amber trio, so I'll probably just replace all the sensors. After 13 years and 140k miles, it can't hurt. Bavauto has them for ~$40 each.

I would need to rig something up or buy new probes to test the sensors with a multi-meter. The sensor's blue plastic cap is too deep, and it gets in the way of the probes.

For this DIY, I'm replacing the driver's side rear sensor.

1. Remove the wheel. The sensor is behind the brake rotor.

2. Find the sensor.

3. The sensor can be removed with a 5mm allen key.

4. Unclip the wiring.

5. Continue to follow the wiring over the river and through the woods. Do not try and pull the sensor through. The other end is smaller, and we will pull it out from front to back once we unclip the other end.

6. Eventually the wiring disappears behind this wheel liner cover. The cover is secured with two 8mm screws on top, one 10mm plastic bolt on top, and one 8mm screw on the bottom.

7. Looking underneath the car, in front of the wheel at the rocker panel, you will see the 8mm screw on the bottom. You don't need to remove any other screws on the bottom of the car.

8. After removing the liner cover, locate this black box. You will need to pull off the rubber drain to access it (not shown).

9. Inside the box you will find the blue plastic connection for the wheel speed sensor. Remove it, and pull out the wiring from the black (allen key) sensor end. Remember to route your new wheel speed sensor before connecting it, since the black end is too large to be routed correctly.

pokeybritches · 05-04-2016, 03:08 PM

Update 5/3/2016 - Solved! It was the yaw rate sensor, located under the passenger seat. I bought a $29 part from a junked Mini and fixed it in about an hour. DIY to follow.

pokeybritches · 05-04-2016, 03:14 PM

For now:

1. Photo of sensor under seat (seat removed). Make sure you disconnect the battery before unplugging the seat.

2. Photo of old and new sensors. I had to swap from the Mini bracket to the Z4 bracket.

inTgr8r · 05-04-2016, 04:48 PM

Excellent!
Glad that you got it sorted out.

Twixboy · 05-06-2016, 11:48 AM

Why does your old yaw rate sensor look like it's been wet?

pokeybritches · 05-06-2016, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twixboy

Why does your old yaw rate sensor look like it's been wet?

That's what I was wondering. I don't remember anything ever being spilled. The sensor isn't in a great spot, especially for a convertible. I could see liquids easily damaging the sensor, and BMW wants $1k+ for the part alone.

03-22-2016, 05:07 PM	#1
pokeybritches Colonel 479 Rep 2,782 Posts Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4M [10.00] 2006 BMW Z4M [8.50] 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i [9.00]	Update 5/3/2016 - Solved! It was the yaw rate sensor, located under the passenger seat. I bought a $29 part from a junked Mini and fixed it in about an hour. DIY to follow. Anyone have details? I've found conflicting information online as to whether this is a wheel speed sensor or yaw rate sensor. Yellow brake, yellow tire pressure, and yellow triangle are illuminated. SES light is illuminated due to rear O2's being disconnected. The fault could not be reset with a dealer-level tool, meaning it's present at startup (sensor is disconnected or completely toast). If it is a wheel speed sensor, does anyone have an idea of how to determine which one it is (short of pulling out each sensor and testing it with a multi-meter)? I've read that the driver's side rear wheel speed sensor is where the speedometer and odometer pull their information. Both seem to be working fine. When I display vehicle speed on my P3Cars vent gauge, it will hop around for a split second on rare occasions, but reads accurately 99.9% of the time. __________________ VF Engineering Z4 3.0i, ESS Z4M, G-Power Z4M, 996 Turbo
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03-22-2016, 06:45 PM	#2
StickMon My other car is on Mars 636 Rep 3,124 Posts Drives: 2006 MR Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lo-Cal iTrader: (1)	You have INPA, don't you? I've wondered whether it will give you individual readings off each speed sensor. Or maybe DIS will tell you specifically which one is bad, or if it's yaw rate. __________________ Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
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03-22-2016, 07:34 PM	#4
Steeler Colonel 2429 Rep 2,704 Posts Drives: Built not Bought 04 Z4 VF Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Kitchener Ontario Canada iTrader: (2)	I had the trio once, right after an alignment. It went away of its own accord and never returned __________________ W2A Intercooled Vortech V3Si, custom ducting, Alpha N, 60# Bosch,2.62 pulley, multi port WMI, Severn Tuning(pokeybritches), Tial, magnaflow,SS race muffler, 42 design,3.91LSD, H&R, Hotchkis,ST coils,Konis, Megan camber arms, AKG SS, Nylon mounts, Poly bushings, Carbon interior, CF Aero.APEX
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03-24-2016, 07:42 PM	#6
bamarider Enlisted Member 3 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2004 black z4 with 6 speed Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: alabama iTrader: (0)	I have the same 3 yellow lights after removing my nav screen to repaire the plastic housing. Before removal the screen was working, hooked it back up after repairing housing, no display and had the yellow lights. Will be very interested to see what you find out.
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03-25-2016, 10:51 AM	#7
pokeybritches Colonel 479 Rep 2,782 Posts Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4M [10.00] 2006 BMW Z4M [8.50] 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i [9.00]	I ordered a rear wheel speed sensor. I'm going to try replacing the driver's side first, and test the old and new one with a multi-meter. If there's no change, I'll try the passenger side, testing that sensor. If there's still no change, I'll test the front sensors. Finally, I'll look into testing the yaw rate sensor. On E46's, it's under the driver's seat. I'm not sure where it is on the Z4. After that, I'll take it to a shop. __________________ VF Engineering Z4 3.0i, ESS Z4M, G-Power Z4M, 996 Turbo
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03-28-2016, 09:12 AM	#8
pokeybritches Colonel 479 Rep 2,782 Posts Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4M [10.00] 2006 BMW Z4M [8.50] 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i [9.00]	Good news - I replaced the rear sensor, and it's a fairly easy job. Bad news - I still have the amber trio, so I'll probably just replace all the sensors. After 13 years and 140k miles, it can't hurt. Bavauto has them for ~$40 each. I would need to rig something up or buy new probes to test the sensors with a multi-meter. The sensor's blue plastic cap is too deep, and it gets in the way of the probes. For this DIY, I'm replacing the driver's side rear sensor. 1. Remove the wheel. The sensor is behind the brake rotor. 2. Find the sensor. 3. The sensor can be removed with a 5mm allen key. 4. Unclip the wiring. 5. Continue to follow the wiring over the river and through the woods. Do not try and pull the sensor through. The other end is smaller, and we will pull it out from front to back once we unclip the other end. 6. Eventually the wiring disappears behind this wheel liner cover. The cover is secured with two 8mm screws on top, one 10mm plastic bolt on top, and one 8mm screw on the bottom. 7. Looking underneath the car, in front of the wheel at the rocker panel, you will see the 8mm screw on the bottom. You don't need to remove any other screws on the bottom of the car. 8. After removing the liner cover, locate this black box. You will need to pull off the rubber drain to access it (not shown). 9. Inside the box you will find the blue plastic connection for the wheel speed sensor. Remove it, and pull out the wiring from the black (allen key) sensor end. Remember to route your new wheel speed sensor before connecting it, since the black end is too large to be routed correctly. Attached Images __________________ VF Engineering Z4 3.0i, ESS Z4M, G-Power Z4M, 996 Turbo
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05-04-2016, 03:08 PM	#9
pokeybritches Colonel 479 Rep 2,782 Posts Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4M [10.00] 2006 BMW Z4M [8.50] 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i [9.00]	Update 5/3/2016 - Solved! It was the yaw rate sensor, located under the passenger seat. I bought a $29 part from a junked Mini and fixed it in about an hour. DIY to follow. __________________ VF Engineering Z4 3.0i, ESS Z4M, G-Power Z4M, 996 Turbo
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05-04-2016, 03:14 PM	#10
pokeybritches Colonel 479 Rep 2,782 Posts Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4M [10.00] 2006 BMW Z4M [8.50] 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i [9.00]	For now: 1. Photo of sensor under seat (seat removed). Make sure you disconnect the battery before unplugging the seat. 2. Photo of old and new sensors. I had to swap from the Mini bracket to the Z4 bracket. Attached Images __________________ VF Engineering Z4 3.0i, ESS Z4M, G-Power Z4M, 996 Turbo
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05-04-2016, 04:48 PM	#11
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2429 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	Excellent! Glad that you got it sorted out. __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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05-06-2016, 11:48 AM	#12
Twixboy Captain 124 Rep 904 Posts Drives: '04 Z4 3.0i 6spd Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: MA iTrader: (2)	Why does your old yaw rate sensor look like it's been wet?
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