BMW ABS Light On: Traction Control Acting Erratically

Hey there! I had almost the exact same issue with my 2015 BMW 3 Series (also had a 1 Series before). I've got some experience working on cars, but this was definitely something I needed professional help with. The symptoms you're describing sound really familiar, my ABS light came on and the car would jerk during acceleration. Took it to my regular workshop and turned out the ABS control unit was faulty. Ended up costing me around 1000 Euro to fix, but it solved all the issues completely. Can you share more details about your car, like the specific engine type and current mileage? Also, are you getting any specific error codes? This could help pinpoint if you're dealing with the same problem I had.

Thanks for sharing your experience! My 2 Series has 54682 KM and just had its service last month. Had it scanned and getting error code 5DF1. I'm hoping it's just a sensor issue and not the full ABS unit, those repairs can get pretty expensive! Did you notice any unusual noises before your ABS unit failed? The jerking during acceleration is really starting to worry me, especially since it's getting more frequent. Been driving BMWs for years but never encountered this specific problem before.

Hey again! Yeah, I remember that exact error code on my 3 Series too. Actually, I didn't hear any unusual noises before the ABS unit failed, it just started with that annoying jerking during acceleration, just like you're experiencing. In my case, I initially hoped it was just a sensor too (would've been way cheaper!), but after getting it properly diagnosed, the ABS control unit was definitely shot. My car had around 60K kilometers when it happened, so pretty similar to yours. I totally get why you're worried about the jerking, it's really unsettling, right? When it started happening more frequently on my car, I knew I couldn't put off the repair any longer. Since you mentioned you've had BMWs before, you probably know they can be a bit... expensive to fix. But honestly, with these symptoms getting worse, I wouldn't wait too long to get it sorted. Tell you what, my mechanic mentioned that sometimes these units fail due to moisture getting in or electrical issues. Have you noticed if the problem gets worse in wet weather? That might help confirm if you're dealing with the same issue I had.

Thanks for all that info, it's really helpful to hear from someone who went through the same thing. Yeah, now that you mention it, I've noticed the jerking does seem to act up more when it's wet outside. That's definitely another sign pointing towards the ABS unit being the culprit. You're right about not waiting too long, I'll book it in with my mechanic next week. Been putting it off hoping it might be something minor, but sounds like I should bite the bullet and get it properly fixed before it becomes a bigger issue. The repair cost isn't great news, but safety comes first, especially with these kinds of symptoms. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, at least now I know what I'm likely dealing with and can be prepared for the repair costs. Guess that's just part of BMW ownership, right?