<E30> Blown ABS Relay

["Fernando C. Lebron" <lebron@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Mike,
Just had that problem a few weeks ago. You do not need to test the relay, 
you can be sure its fuse is blown.
What happens is that the relay (called Over Voltage Protection
Relay) protects the ABS computer in two ways:
Overvoltage and reversal of polarity in the battery. Either of these could
happen when you jump start your car. Inside the relay there is a fuse that
blows up with overvoltage or polarity reversal. You have two options here:
1) Buy a new relay from your dealer (don't know the price) and replace it. 
2) Replace the fuse yourself:
Remove the relay from the car. Open the case by prying open the
aluminum tabs that hold the metal casing with the relay base. Once you
opened, you will see the remains of the fuse (a thin wire) at the base of
the relay. You need to solder a new fuse (again a thin wire i.e. one
strand of copper from a lamp cord) where the old fuse was. Close the relay
by prying the tabs of the metal casing back in. Install the relay back on
the car, your ABS lights should not stay on anymore.
Good luck!


  Fernando C. Lebron, P.Eng.
  London Health Sciences Centre
  London, Ontario, Canada
  E-mail: lebron@domain.elided

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