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BMW X5 Reliability Concerns

61 messages,  Last post on Feb 10, 2013 at 1:50 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW X5, SUV

Messages Page 6 of 7

#42 of 61 trans.failsafe error BMW X5 2004 4.4 by cartrouble13

Oct 21, 2009 (9:49 pm)

Anyone have advice on this:
While driving on highway got "transfailsafe", 4x4 light, brake and ABS lights came on. When stopped car it stalled and when tried to start was "dead" - starter did not turn. Also made some chirping electronic sounds about one second apart.
Also noticed once between trying to restart that the gauges were in abnormal position speedometer read ~20mph and tachy a little over 1000rpm even though car was stopped.
Few weeks ago similar problem but after 30-45 min the car restarted with no errors and when had it checked said found nothing wrong.
Alternator was replaced one year ago - reported tested now ok. Battery tested ok.
If this is an ABS computer or sensor problem would the starter not crank or lose electric power?
Thanks for any ideas.

#43 of 61 steering wheel problem by dacooljames

Dec 06, 2009 (9:38 pm)

i have a 2001 bmw x5 4.4.just a few hours ago i realized some funny noise as i was driving.i pulled over and realized that it was coming from around the fan area.since it was dark i jumped back in the car and continued driving.almost instantly the the battery indicator came on and the steering wheel became completely hard. the car starts and runs well but its almost impossible to steer it. any advise??

#44 of 61 Battery problems by steubenville

Jan 21, 2010 (1:33 pm)

I have a 2001 bmw x5 4.4. I had the battery go dead on me and then I had a jump after that the car started fine, but i still purchased a new battery. a month later the car would not start and they replaced the battery, 3 weeks later it does not start and always after it sits overnight. I had the charging system checked and the starter and all the power system. 3weeks later it would not start for the next two days needing a jump. my license plate bulb also burned out but i replaced the bulb and it still would not work. Do you all think I have short draining the battery overnight, because thats when it happens! I am at wits end on this mystery.

#45 of 61 self level inactive warning by steubenville

Feb 26, 2010 (11:29 am)

I have a BMW X-5 2001 4.4 and The self level inactive warning message came on and it stayed on. I talked with the dealer and hesaid if its level it is probably just a sensor, but he gave me no remedy! Did anyone else have this warning message come on? What did you do?
 
Thanks

#46 of 61 Re: trans.failsafe error BMW X5 2004 4.4 [cartrouble13] by t1l0u

Jun 09, 2010 (7:22 pm)

Replying to: cartrouble13 (Oct 21, 2009 9:49 pm)
Hello, i have about the same problem on my 2004 X5 4.4i. Did you find the root cause?
 
/Thank you

#47 of 61 Re: trans.failsafe error BMW X5 2004 4.4 [t1l0u] by cartrouble13

Jun 10, 2010 (5:40 am)

Replying to: t1l0u (Jun 09, 2010 7:22 pm)
Yes! The problem was the regulator in the alternator. The problem was intermittent so when I had the car checked they said the alternator was fine. The problem kept recurring every few weeks. Finally a new mechanic said it had to be the alternator (which I had replaced less than a year before). I had the company that supplied the alternator test it - they had it on the bench running at max output for almost 2 days before the problem showed up. Since it has been replaced about 8 months ago there has been no recurrence. Hope this helps.

#48 of 61 Ultimate piece of S...T! by ih8bmw

Sep 04, 2010 (9:33 am)

60000 dollar garbage! My first ever X5, V8 still has 12000 MLS on it since purchased in 2008. Why? Because it spends more time at BMW service than I can get my hands on it!!!
Do yourself a favor and research before buying it!!!

#49 of 61 Re: Ultimate piece of S...T! [ih8bmw] by roadburner

Sep 04, 2010 (10:21 am)

Replying to: ih8bmw (Sep 04, 2010 9:33 am)
Hmmm...
Will this be another one hit wonder???

#50 of 61 Re: trans.failsafe error BMW X5 2004 4.4 [cartrouble13] by 2005_x5_44

Sep 06, 2010 (8:01 am)

Replying to: cartrouble13 (Jun 10, 2010 5:40 am)
I had the trans failsafe message appear before. Shutdown and restart cleared it. That was over a year ago. Recently it started doing it more frequently. I read a thread about the alternator/regulator causing a similar problem so I hooked up a scan guage to the OBD port that displays voltage. It read 10.9-11.4 volts while driving. That seemed low. I hooked a regular volt meter to the battery post under hood, it read 13.5 volts with engine running and 12 with engine off. That seemed right. I rechecked the guage connected to the OBD again and it now read 13.4 volts with engine running. That is a definate inconsistency which needs further investigation. Also, I've had an intermittent problem with trans initiating a shift or a disengage then re-engage( can't determine which because it doesn't complete a shift and it happens very quickly, like a hiccup). This happens around 30-40 mph when the automatic trans is in 5th gear. The last time the trans failsafe message appeared, it would not restart. It acted like a dead battery. A few minutes later it started, but the clock lost its program. The service engine light came on, but the car ran great and no more transmission hiccup. I checked code, it was P1890 trans control. I think the symtoms are related. A year ago, dealer had told me the hiccup problem was the trans valve body. They said $5500. I don't believe them. I will post results after looking into regulator and connections.

#51 of 61 Re: Battery problems [steubenville] by chansen194

Dec 12, 2010 (6:02 pm)

Replying to: steubenville (Jan 21, 2010 1:33 pm)
Hi I am having similar problems with my 04 X5 its going to the dealer on tues. Did you get your issue solved?

Messages Page 6 of 7

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