Help with warning lights

UCop303

Newbie
Joined
Jul 20, 2025
Points
3
Hi all! I’m new here and recently bought a 2002 Z3 Roadster 2.5. The DSC and Brake light were popping up periodically and then disappearing on and off for the last couple of weeks, but now for the past few days they won’t clear. Brake fluid is good but I also think that has its own warning light. I don’t have a users manual and online searching for this hasn’t really helped. Has anyone had this issue or have any ideas?
 

Attachments

Stevo7682

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
The M44 Massive
Scottish Zeds
Joined
Apr 1, 2016
Points
218
Location
Maybole , South Ayrshire
Model of Z
Z3 Individual Dakar / Orinoco Individual
You really need to get it plugged in to a diagnostic tool as there is a number of things could be creating the fault.
You have 4 abs wheel sensors ( and associated wiring)
2 pressure sensors on master cylinder
Abs pump unit
Yaw sensors under passengers seat ( will fail if roof leaking and water getting under carpets.
So next step is to get fault codes read see whats creating it (even if lights go out fault still stored in memory untill interrogated and cleared.
Stephen.
 

NZ00Z3

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
New Zealand Zeds
Joined
Dec 9, 2014
Points
158
Location
Timaru, New Zealand
Model of Z
3.0L, 2.8L, 2.0L Z3 Roadsters

UCop303

Newbie
Joined
Jul 20, 2025
Points
3
You really need to get it plugged in to a diagnostic tool as there is a number of things could be creating the fault.
You have 4 abs wheel sensors ( and associated wiring)
2 pressure sensors on master cylinder
Abs pump unit
Yaw sensors under passengers seat ( will fail if roof leaking and water getting under carpets.
So next step is to get fault codes read see whats creating it (even if lights go out fault still stored in memory untill interrogated and cleared.
Stephen.
Thank you. Scanner used in the port near passenger footwell didn’t show any codes. I’ll look into 20 pin port with name scanner that another member recommended.
 

Stevo7682

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
The M44 Massive
Scottish Zeds
Joined
Apr 1, 2016
Points
218
Location
Maybole , South Ayrshire
Model of Z
Z3 Individual Dakar / Orinoco Individual
Thank you. Scanner used in the port near passenger footwell didn’t show any codes. I’ll look into 20 pin port with name scanner that another member recommended.
Yes the under dash obd doesn't give much access.
The 20 pin under bonnet is the nain point of access.
16 to 20 pin obd adapter plenty available on Ebay and the likes.

Once codes read that will take you straight to the problem.

Stephen.
 

UCop303

Newbie
Joined
Jul 20, 2025
Points
3
Yes the under dash obd doesn't give much access.
The 20 pin under bonnet is the nain point of access.
16 to 20 pin obd adapter plenty available on Ebay and the likes.

Once codes read that will take you straight to the problem.

Stephen.
I’ll get the adapter
Yes the under dash obd doesn't give much access.
The 20 pin under bonnet is the nain point of access.
16 to 20 pin obd adapter plenty available on Ebay and the likes.

Once codes read that will take you straight to the problem.

Stephen.
[/QUOTE
Perfect. I’ll order the adapter today. Thank you
 

Pond

Zorg Guru (III)
British Zeds
Joined
Dec 26, 2016
Points
144
Location
Spaldingski, Lincs
Model of Z
Z3 project
Just hope it's not either (or both) yaw sensors under the carpet. They are very expensive. Ask me how I know.
 

UCop303

Newbie
Joined
Jul 20, 2025
Points
3
Just hope it's not either (or both) yaw sensors under the carpet. They are very expensive. Ask me how I know.
I just researched that and looks like it’ll be about $1k each installed. Fingers crossed that’s not it. New BMW scanner and 20 pin adapter will be here on Saturday.
 

John_B

Zorg Guru (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Jun 2, 2023
Points
116
Location
Derbyshire, UK
Model of Z
Z3 2.8 pre-facelift (Izzy)
Check your brake fluid level. I had these lights would flicker on and off ocassionally. Turned out that the fluid was right on the minimum.
 
Top