Need an ABS brake modulator.....

[shoestring7]

Mrs SS7 uses a nice old 2001 520i E39 tourer for family wheels. For a while there has been an intermittant fault causing the ABS system to fail, and the warning light to come on.

Our friendly local (but not BMW specialist) garage have replaced an ABS sensor and now a wheel bearing. However that's not fixed the problem, so now they tell me the ABS modulator has failed and BMW want £1100 plus VAT for a new one..

I understand this is a common fault, can anyone suggest a reputable source for a unit? I'm guessing this is a std Bosch part.

thanks in advance,

SS7

[blackspider]

www.fabdirect.com

Im supprissed at the price-is that for the entire pump and control unit or just the control unit(modulator that sits on the side of the pump.

The control unit is almost always the cause of this fault but I have never known one to be this much and to fit,if you look its actually easy to do.the only additional work after that is to encode the fella.

I'll ask tomorrow the retail price of it

[shoestring7]

Thanks.

I'm pretty sure its the control unit. Is it a generic part or can it only be sourced from BMW?

SS7

[blackspider]

Other companys use the same unit but wont work because of the program it is given by BMW.It needs to be able to communicate with other control units which uses specific data trasfere level/codes-they give the unit a specific program and encryption-Its like a mobile phone in a way-you can have one phone,sony ericcson k750i for instance but it is then locked to a company,ie vodafone/orange.If you can break that code then your away-but only Germany know what that is.
The part retails at around the £500 mark so christ knows what they are replacing.I can only think they are trying to get you to replace the entire hydrolic unit and control unit.

Edited by blackspider on Tuesday 30th January 13:41

[shoestring7]

BS,

Yes, they're telling me the control unit and pump are one unit and cannot be split.

However, they have a supplier who can re-build the units. Cost for this is circa £300 (guranteed for 12months), so I've given them the go-ahead.

Thanks for your input,

SS7