[Rackers]

I had some investigations done on the tracking of my E90 320d today.
It turns out the front track rod ends are seized and need replacing. It can't be fixed until next week but on the drive home the following lights came on ..

I currently have three warnings lights;

The handbrake indicator goes yellow when the handbrake is disengaged;
The DSC light is on with the exclamation mark next to it;
The run-flat indicator light is yellow and will not reset.

Is there anything that the garage could have done to cause these lights to flash up?

Thanks

[Sensible_]

Originally Posted by Rackers

I had some investigations done on the tracking of my E90 320d today.
It turns out the front track rod ends are seized and need replacing. It can't be fixed until next week but on the drive home the following lights came on ..

I currently have three warnings lights;

The handbrake indicator goes yellow when the handbrake is disengaged;
The DSC light is on with the exclamation mark next to it;
The run-flat indicator light is yellow and will not reset.

Is there anything that the garage could have done to cause these lights to flash up?

Thanks

What are the actual error codes? The on board computer should come up with CC ID code when you hold down the BC button. Or even better if you have INPA / ISTA D...

[Rackers]

CCID 24, CCID 50 & CCID 35.

I understand these codes indicate that the DSC needs repairing, a 'common fault'. I just can't help thinking that a sensor or dodgy alignment has thrown the system out bearing in mind a garage has been removing wheels and adjusting today. Do you know what sensor('s) could throw the system out?

[Sensible_]

Could be wheel speed sensor, could be that it needs steering angle re calibrated. Do you have any diagnostic equipment?

Could also be low battery voltage...

[Rackers]

I am hoping it is one of those .. considering they couldn't do any alignment but did the best they could before they fit the new parts next week.

I only have an OBD2 reader, I am guessing that won't cut it on this occasion?

[Sensible_]

Originally Posted by Rackers

I am hoping it is one of those .. considering they couldn't do any alignment but did the best they could before they fit the new parts next week.

I only have an OBD2 reader, I am guessing that won't cut it on this occasion?

Na, I was going to suggest you try clearing the faults.

Just take it back to the garage and get them to fix it.

[KM79]

They've obviuosly mucked about with the front track rods and thrown the car out of alignment.Is the steering wheel offset to left or right?

[GreaseJunkie]

They couldn't have mucked around but so much with the rie rods if they were frozen, like they always are, but they will also almost always break free if they are heated. Granted this adds time to the alignment process, bc you have to let them cool in order to get an accurate toe angle reading, rarely do they warrant replacement! Are you getting the car aligned at a dealership? Make sure they are putting sandbags in the car (laden measurement) and DEFINATELY make sure to ask that they reset the steering angle when they are done.

I don't know if it applies to BMWs bc I've never tried, but on most cars, you can reset the SAS by:

Park on a level surface with steering wheel centered
Apply hand brake, transmission in neutral (MT) or Park
Start the car
Turn wheel all the way left, full lock, hold for a second or 2
Turn the wheel full lock right, hold for a sec then re-center
Might have to do it 2-3 times without restarting the car

Or it might not work at all since it's a BMW, hopefully someone can elnlighten me. But as far as OP's car is concerned, I'd have the shop fix the warning lights and then go get a second opinion on those frozen tie rods, preferably from a shop that has a good torch.

[KM79]

That doesn't work on any bmw's.
Must be done via diagnostic equipment.
Tugging away at a seized track tod end and even managing to move it slightly is definately enough to upset the alignment. If the steering angle from
Zero ( straight ahead )is out by more then 1.5 degrees it will flag a plausibility fault in the DSC and this bring on all the lights the OP has mentioned..

[GreaseJunkie]

Originally Posted by KrisM79

That doesn't work on any bmw's.
Must be done via diagnostic equipment.
Tugging away at a seized track tod end and even managing to move it slightly is definately enough to upset the alignment. If the steering angle from
Zero ( straight ahead )is out by more then 1.5 degrees it will flag a plausibility fault in the DSC and this bring on all the lights the OP has mentioned..

Not trying to argue, but I still don't see how you're gonna move a frozen tie tie rod a full degree and a half. Maybe .15 degrees. But thanks for the heads up about resetting the SAS. Whenever I get a warning light on a BMW I head straight for my laptop anyway :-D

[M4rius]

Originally Posted by Sensible_

Could be wheel speed sensor, could be that it needs steering angle re calibrated. Do you have any diagnostic equipment?

Could also be low battery voltage...

most likely needs steering angle re calibrated , had same thing on my m3 .10min job if you have cable .

[KM79]

Originally Posted by GreaseJunkie

Not trying to argue, but I still don't see how you're gonna move a frozen tie tie rod a full degree and a half. Maybe .15 degrees. But thanks for the heads up about resetting the SAS. Whenever I get a warning light on a BMW I head straight for my laptop anyway :-D

Nor I.

But maybe the garage isn't telling the whole story.Maybe it's not this of course but in my experience it certainly sounds likely.and even a quarter turn on a steering arm can put the steering wheel out.

[Mr Rauf]

Originally Posted by Rackers

I had some investigations done on the tracking of my E90 320d today.
It turns out the front track rod ends are seized and need replacing. It can't be fixed until next week but on the drive home the following lights came on ..

I had the exact same problem with my e90 320d the other week too, tracking rods were seized! Just havent had time to get them replaced atm

How much has the garage quoted you to replace them?

[old grey steve]

To answer this

The handbrake indicator goes yellow when the handbrake is disengaged;
The DSC light is on with the exclamation mark next to it;
The run-flat indicator light is yellow and will not reset.

Steering angle sensor fault or usually with all these lights on you may even have a hydro sensor internal fault as everything above can also be exhibited by these telltale lights.

Very outside chance it's a wheel speed sensor and I've even seen in older 2005/06 cars faults re reluctor rings on the rear driveshafts fail.

But first port if call is steering angle sensor.

[Rackers]

Thanks all for the replies. The tracking was way out (car pulls right) anyway and so I wouldn't be surprised if all the yanking around had pushed it enough to set off all these faults. I have been quoted £300 to have both sides done and obviously full alignment afterwards.

The car is going in Friday for the work and I have told them I am not best pleased as it cannot be a coincidence that these faults appeared after they had finished ..

Thanks again all!

[Mr Rauf]

My car pulls left and right when going over a pothole or an uneven road. Hopefully a new set of tyres as mine are worn out and a 4 wheel alignment should sort it out after getting my track rods replaced

Is that with the dealers mate? Price is a bit steep, I have been quoted £30 to replace each rod. Ill be buying the track rod myself from ECP.. I think they cost around £35 - 40 (Lemforder)

[Rackers]

I'm wondering if perhaps it is more than rods that is wrong then as I thought it was steep myself. I will check in with them Tuesday.

Thanks

[Mr Rauf]

Please do let me know the outcome

cheers

[ukbeemerboy]

Originally Posted by Rackers

I'm wondering if perhaps it is more than rods that is wrong then as I thought it was steep myself. I will check in with them Tuesday.

Thanks

If they are doing a full alignment which can take a couple of hours then this could be why the price is so high.....

[firedragon]

Agree with the above, steering angle sensor,]. Had exactly the same problem a few months back when I had mine tracked. The garage forgot to reset SAS and the DSC, run flat and brake ABS warnings came on - handling was frisky too!!

Just ask the garage to reset SAS and all will be good.

[Rackers]

Hi all,

Just to complete this one, car is driving fine now and the SAS was reset and is all is good!