ABS sensor

ABS sensors are located behind each wheel—where they are exposed to high-temperatures, water and road debris. Any plastic object exposed to these conditions will eventually fail—which is why ABS sensors need to be replaced occasionally.

When one of the ABS sensors fail, you will typically see an error on your dashboard about the ‘driving stabilisation’, telling you to ‘drive moderately’.

Professional scan tools will give you an exact code, and more information. See this video for an example.

ABS sensors are a part of a vehicle’s anti-lock brake system.

The sensors work by using magnets. Each sensor will sit next to the ABS rings located on/in each wheel bearing. These rings have a magnetic notch that triggers the sensor each time a full rotation has been completed.

The information from the ABS sensors is sent to a control unit which calculates the wheel speeds—allowing it to determine whether one wheel is moving slower than the others—and therefore at risk of locking up, which could cause loss of traction.

When the control unit determines that the vehicle is at risk of losing traction, it uses the ABS/DSC to pulse the breaks.

There are can be multiple, non-exchangeable types of ABS sensor within any given model generation.

The best way to determine if one of these parts is compatible with your vehicle is to match the BMW part numbers. This can be done by decoding your VIN in a BMW parts catalogue.

Provide our team with your vehicle’s 17-digit VIN and we’ll check our stock for a compatible part.

There is interchangeability of ABS sensors between models.