BMW X5 ABS Light + Jerky Acceleration: Sensor Issues?

Hey there! I had nearly identical issues with my 2009 BMW X3 3.0i last year. The symptoms you're describing match exactly what I experienced, ABS light, unpredictable traction control, and jerky acceleration. Initially thought it was just a wheel speed sensor too. Turned out the ABS control module was actually failing. The control unit was corrupted and needed replacement. It was definitely a serious issue since it affected multiple safety systems. The module controls not just the ABS but also stability control and traction management. Had it fixed at an independent BMW specialist garage. They properly diagnosed it using their diagnostic equipment and replaced the control unit. The car's been running perfectly since then, no warning lights or erratic behavior. Given your symptoms, I'd strongly suggest getting it checked soon since it's a safety-critical system. Make sure whoever looks at it has proper BMW diagnostic capabilities, as generic scanners might not pick up the specific issue.

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! It's good to know someone else went through the same thing with their BMW. I'm having that exact issue with my X5 right now. Good to hear you got it sorted with the ABS control module replacement. Do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole job? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the repair, or have you noticed any other quirks popping up?

Hey again! Great to hear back from you! Yes, I remember clearly, it cost me exactly 1000 € to fix the faulty control unit. The best part? The car's been running like a dream since then. The Speed signal fault that was causing all those annoying symptoms is completely gone, no more jerky acceleration or unusual traction control interventions. After seeing the mechanic and getting the control module replaced, everything's been perfect. It's been about a year now, and I haven't had a single warning light or any weird behavior. The car feels solid and safe again, just like it should. It was definitely worth every penny, especially considering it's such an important safety system. Trust me, once you get it sorted, you'll feel the difference immediately. My X3 drives just like new now, smooth acceleration, proper traction control, everything working exactly as it should. No other issues have popped up since the repair either, so I'm pretty confident it was the right fix. Let me know if you end up getting it repaired, would be interested to hear if your experience turns out similar to mine!

Thanks for all the details! I actually just got back from a mechanic today. You won't believe it, but my story turned out quite different. Took it to this shop that specializes in European cars, and turns out it was just a damaged wiring harness near the wheel sensor! Way cheaper than I expected, only paid 300 € for the repair. The mechanic showed me where the wire had gotten frayed from rubbing against the suspension component. They fixed the wiring, cleaned the sensor, and now everything's working perfectly. No more warning lights, no jerky acceleration, and the traction control's behaving normally again. Guess I was lucky it wasn't the control module like in your case. Really relieved it turned out to be something relatively simple. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it helped me understand what I could've been dealing with. The car's running great now, feels like I've got my trusty X5 back!