Speedometer, cruise, odometer not working and ABS light on

Tiny
JFISK
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 BMW X5
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
The speedometer quit working along with the fuel mileage reader, the ABS system has all the lights lit up on the dash, and the cruise doesn’t work nor does the all wheel drive. I have replaced all four wheel sensors, both sensors in the transmission, changed the BCM and had the ECM tested. I’ve been through the fuse boxes and all seem to be fine. I’ve done the overnight disconnect with the battery. I am at wits end on trying to find the problem. Is there anything that I am missing?
I did have it on a detailed OBD reader and it showed that the speed sensors had odd readings, the drivers side front read correctly, the passenger side sensor read almost double of what the drivers side read, and both rear sensors would not read at all. Even the replaced new ones. I’ve looked all the wires over and found no issues.
3 weeks and this issue has caused grey hairs to appear.
Thursday, August 27th, 2020 AT 4:28 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
4DRTOM
  • MECHANIC
  • 467 POSTS
Hello,

Oh boy, sound like it has gone haywire on you. I'll try to help and get your through this. May I ask what happened the first day things went wrong? Did it just happen overnight and first start of the day the dash lights all crazy and things not working? For the moment reset the computer, your overnight disconnect wont work, you have to disconnect both battery terminals and short them together for 30 seconds. Lets see what happens with that.
Let me know,
Tom
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Thursday, August 27th, 2020 AT 8:11 PM
Tiny
JFISK
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It started out with just the 3 ABS lights, speedometer, cruise and fuel mpg gauge all worked. About 3 days or so later the rest quit. I thought the ECM was also the issue and had it tested and it had no issues. I'm truly at a loss.
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Thursday, August 27th, 2020 AT 8:17 PM
Tiny
4DRTOM
  • MECHANIC
  • 467 POSTS
Here is the description of the speed display system. It's tied to the ABS. Has your ABS been giving you trouble lately? What functions of the car aren't working? You have all these lights but what exactly is and is operating? Just from all the different things I'm leaning towards a module. Scanning the CAN system which is the system that allow all the different modules to communicate with each other.
The speed indication function is equipped with various types of speedometer depending on the vehicle model.

The instrument cluster receives the position signal tw from the anti-lock brake system (ABS)/automatic stability control (ASC)/dynamic stability control (DSC) control unit. In this way, the instrument cluster electronics (IKE) controls the speedometer, total odometer reading and trip odometer reading displays.

The instrument cluster derives the speed from the position signal tw and from the position pulse number (K-number) stored as coding data in the instrument cluster electronics (IKE). In addition, the instrument cluster makes available a speed signal (speed-A) for the connected control units. The speed information is made available in the form of a telegram on the instrument bus (I-bus) and body bus (K-bus). Knowing what happened will save us time in pin pointing the problem.

Here is another thing that will help us along. The color the lights are lighting up. I just attached the chart for that.In this system the instrument cluster has a module for the systems that handles all of what you are having trouble with. It's probably the issue, Please get me the codes you got from scanning it to.

But I'm thinking it the integrated instrument cluster module that is your problem. It's the only place all those circuits or systems are run together. I will look for a test for bench testing it or maybe the scanner will pick that up.

Here is how you scan the CAN

https://youtu.be/InIlnsjOVFA

Let me know,

Thanks,
Tom
2CarPros
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Thursday, August 27th, 2020 AT 8:32 PM
Tiny
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The color of the lights is amber. I have to borrow the tablet again to get the codes but I do remember that it stated that neither of the rear sensors actually read (all four wheel sensors have been replaced with new).
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 7:57 AM
Tiny
JFISK
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  • 9 POSTS
The front drivers side sensor read correctly (per gps we had while driving with tablet hooked up) the passenger side front sensor read double speed and both rear sensors did not even show anything. When running diagnostics (or data on the tablet I used) it showed that the buttons for the dcs worked signaling through the tablet. I believe it has to be something simple I am missing. I also did some kind of test involving the dash cluster by using the odometer reset button that actually made the gauges all moved. I believe it was test 2 on the odometer.

Just curious, when I was on the tablet searching for this trouble, I pressed some test on some different relays and it caused the drivers side rear window to lower.
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 8:09 AM
Tiny
4DRTOM
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Hello,

What app were you using where you had a tablet hooked to the system? You must have a Bluetooth data plug. Is that right?
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 8:52 PM
Tiny
JFISK
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It’s a tablet from Snap-On. An OBD reader that’s the size of a tablet instead of the smaller style like I own.
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Saturday, August 29th, 2020 AT 9:03 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,716 POSTS
Hi,

You indicated it was scanned. I understand what you mean by the speed sensor being off. However, do you have the exact codes that are stored in the system? I want to look up the specifics to what you have and hopefully find diagnostics specific to the problem.

Let me know.
Joe
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 8:23 PM
Tiny
JFISK
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  • 9 POSTS
I finally got a chance to read the codes again and they are as follows: BD electronic brake balancer. Transmission 149. ABS 31, 104, 30. Engine 214, 190, 191 and 68.
I know the o2 sensors need replaced but don’t think those effect the speedometer and ABS.
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Sunday, September 6th, 2020 AT 7:55 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,716 POSTS
Hi,

Okay, the codes you provided are mostly engine related, but the one that stands out to me is the 214 which is related to speed sensor A. However, I need to know the build date of your vehicle. See pic 1. Also, note that the code translates to a P0500.

____________________________

Let me know.
Joe
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Sunday, September 6th, 2020 AT 7:35 PM
Tiny
JFISK
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The build date is 09/01.
I replaced the body control module today and it has no effect at all on the issues.
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Wednesday, September 9th, 2020 AT 11:52 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,716 POSTS
Take a look through these diagnostics and let me know if you have checked what is recommended.

2001 BMW X5 3.0i (E53) L6-3.0L (M54)
Wheel Speed Sensor
Vehicle Brakes and Traction Control Antilock Brakes / Traction Control Systems Testing and Inspection Component Tests and General Diagnostics Wheel Slip Control DSC5.7 (DSC 5.7 Dynamic Stability Control With (Off-Road Vehicle or All-Wheel Drive)) Switches, Sensors (Functional Tests) Wheel Speed Sensor
WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
Wheel Speed Sensor Transmits Implausible Signals Or No Signals
The control module for traction control (CU) monitors the signals of the wheel speed sensors (RDF) to ensure they are present and plausible.

Possible Cause(s) of Fault:
- Electromagnetic irradiation
- Wheel blocks briefly on driving off (e.G. Brake disk frozen solid when driving off on ice)
- Changed air gap between RDF head and impulse wheel
- Sensor head contaminated by metal filings
- Moisture has entered RDF
- Cable defective
- RDF defective
- CU defective

Storage Condition(s):
- Implausible speed signal
- Missing speed signal

Troubleshooting Procedure:
- Visual inspection (cables and fitting): Check RDF and supply lines for correct installation and damage.
- Visual inspection (sensor head): Remove RDF and check whether the sensor head is damaged or soiled.
- Check of wiring: Check the supply and signal wires between RDF and CU.

The following checks only make sense if there are faults:

Caution: If there is a break in wiring to an RDF, the CU interrupts the power supply to the corresponding RDF. Prior to a check of the signal or voltage supply, there must therefore be a check of the electric wires.

- Check of the signal voltage:
Signal voltage OK: continue troubleshooting
Signal voltage not OK: replace RDF

- Check of the voltage supply:
Voltage supply OK: replace RDF
Voltage supply not OK: continue troubleshooting

- Check of the internal resistance in the CU:
Internal resistance OK: replace RDF
Internal resistance not OK: Replace CU

Note:
- The CU detects a disconnected RDF and interrupts the power supply
- CU replacement, see Service functions
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Wednesday, September 9th, 2020 AT 6:08 PM

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