Antilock Break Light and High Idle after Jump Start

[AV325i]

I made a stupid mistake and hooked up the jumper cables wrong on my 89 325ix. I just touched the final connection once and when I saw the sparks, I connected the cables correctly. However, now my antilock brake light is turned on and the car idles at 1500 rpm when in park. Before it idled at about 800. Any idea what I did? It is an automatic transmission. Otherwise the car runs fine.

[accident]

Dunno about the idle, but you need a new ABS relay.

[James Crivellone]

Dunno about the idle, but you need a new ABS relay.

Just pop the cover off and solder a new fuse wire onto it.


Free > $$$

[THATDONFC]

where's the abs relay on these cars? Mine comes on after about 30 minutes of driving...

[James Crivellone]

where's the abs relay on these cars? Mine comes on after about 30 minutes of driving...

Probably a bad sensor. The Relay usually fails at the get go when you turn the ignition on.

[THATDONFC]

where's the sensor then? I'd like to get that damn light off. I'll check both.

[accident]

where's the abs relay on these cars? Mine comes on after about 30 minutes of driving...

The relay is attached to the top of the ABS computer, in the driver side kick panel just above where the hood latch is. If it's not attached there, it's probably dangling around somewhere. It's a smallish metal box. The sensors are at each wheel.

[AV325i]

Thanks. For the relay, when you say the "drivers side kick panel" do you mean the plasic piece inside the engine compartment by speaker and hood release, or are you talking about somewhere inside the engine compartment?

[accident]

Thanks. For the relay, when you say the "drivers side kick panel" do you mean the plasic piece inside the engine compartment by speaker and hood release, or are you talking about somewhere inside the engine compartment?

Yes, the fiberboard piece inside the car. Pull it down, and on the left you will see a large metal box. This is your ABS computer. Attached to the top should be the ABS relay, a smaller metal box. I got mine for free at a pick n pull, though I had to go through 3 of them to find one that worked.