ABS relay location...

UK forum for general and technical discussion about the Z3 roadster
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1963paul
Joined: Sat 19 Jul, 2014 13:19
Posts: 90

  Z3 roadster 2.0

ABS relay location...

Post by 1963paul »

Anybody know where my ABS relay is ? in a 1999 2ltr Z3, before I start probing under the dash board...both my ABS and ASC lamps are on 98% of the time.... doesn't seem to be in the main fuse box under the bonnet.
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colb
Joined: Sat 05 May, 2012 22:46
Posts: 690

  Z3 roadster 1.8 TU
Location: Newport South Wales UK

Re: ABS relay location...

Post by colb »

I think you will be looking for a red relay for the main ABS system and a grey relay for the ABS pump, would have thought both these would be in the main fuse/relay box in the engine bay.
Colb
1999 BMW 1.8 Z3
2003 BMW 2.5 Z4
1998 Honda Deauville NT650V
1963paul
Joined: Sat 19 Jul, 2014 13:19
Posts: 90

  Z3 roadster 2.0

Re: ABS relay location...

Post by 1963paul »

Yes, I thought so too, but, no. I read somewhere that they are behind the glove box or above the steering column behind the plastic under the dashboard. There is another box full of electrical gubbins, under a plastic cover, held on with 6 cross head screws, near the ( I think) the brake servo. The ECU seems to live there, but no relays.
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colb
Joined: Sat 05 May, 2012 22:46
Posts: 690

  Z3 roadster 1.8 TU
Location: Newport South Wales UK

Re: ABS relay location...

Post by colb »

Found this on an old thread is your fuse box like this?
http://www.tsac.co.uk/photo/2011/Fusebo ... verlay.jpg
Colb
1999 BMW 1.8 Z3
2003 BMW 2.5 Z4
1998 Honda Deauville NT650V
1963paul
Joined: Sat 19 Jul, 2014 13:19
Posts: 90

  Z3 roadster 2.0

Re: ABS relay location...

Post by 1963paul »

Similar, mine has empty spaces where some of the relays are shown in the diagram. I’ll have a look tomorrow, I’m sure they are up under the dashboard somewhere. I thought the the relays I’m looking for would have “ABS”stamped on them, and, like you said earlier, are red and grey.
Thanks for your input 👍
1963paul
Joined: Sat 19 Jul, 2014 13:19
Posts: 90

  Z3 roadster 2.0

Re: ABS relay location...

Post by 1963paul »

Didn't get a chance to look for the relay, but it turns out to be a ABS sensor on the OS/R wheel. My local garage plugged it into there diagnostic 'puter, and that sensor had recorded 42 errors over the last couple of weeks. They removed it and cleaned it up, took it for test run, and the warning lights stayed off. I picked it up, and they came on before I left the garage forecourt!.
( the lights were off when I dropped the car off this morning). They have ordered a new one.
mickdev
Joined: Thu 18 Feb, 2016 17:38
Posts: 58

  Z3 roadster 1.8 TU

Re: ABS relay location...

Post by mickdev »

I have the same problem after every winter after garaging the car, nearside rear wheel sensor but after using the car on a more regular basis in the so called summer ,it goes off and stays off
1963paul
Joined: Sat 19 Jul, 2014 13:19
Posts: 90

  Z3 roadster 2.0

Re: ABS relay location...

Post by 1963paul »

All done, new sensor fitted, all good. Just like to mention that before the sensor was replaced, it affected a few other items on the car aswell, sometimes when the lights came on whilst driving, the throttle would surge for a second as the lights lit up, also the brake peddle would "flutter" when in stop/go mode in slow traffic, not as much as when the ABS cuts in when working properly, but just a slight pulsing, vibration sensation, not every time, but enough to make me think " what's going wrong now"!, anyway, that's all stopped with the new sensor.
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