BMW ABS Pump Motor Constantly Running

BMW ABS pump motor may stay constantly on even when the vehicle is turned off.

Symptoms

BMW ABS pump stays on
BMW ABS motor constantly running
Battery drains, dead
Car won't start without a jump

Common Causes

The two most common issues that cause BMW ABS pump to constantly run include:

ABS Hydraulic Unit Failure
Faulty ABS pump relay

Units often affected are Bosch 5.3, Bosch 5.4 and Bosch 5.7 ABS modules installed on several BMW cars including 3-series, 5-series, 7-series, X3, X5 etc.

Temporary Fix

If you are on a long road trip and are experiencing this problem remove the ABS fuse so that you don't burn the ABS motor or continue to drain your car battery.

Warning!

When the ABS fuse is removed, your ABS functionality will be disabled. Your vehicle may take longer to stop. Keep a larger distance between you and the vehicle in front.

Possible Solution

Start by replacing the ABS relay. The ABS relay costs less than $20 and is very easy to replace. The relay on most BMWs is in the fuse box located in the engine bay.

If the problem remains, you may need to replace or repair the ABS unit.

Before you start replacing car parts, it is important to read the codes from your BMW. Read this article that talks about the best scan tools that will allow you to read BMW specific fault codes.

One option is to have the dealer replace the ABS hydraulic unit which in most cases costs between $1000-$2000. Another option is to remove your failed ABS pump & control module and send it for repair to shops that specialize in repairing these ABS units.

Look up these BMW ABS ATC Pump Module Repair services.

Vehicle

BMW