TerminatorX5, no, actually the lights came on, as I was waiting at a traffic light. And the car behaves fine, nothing strange at all.

I did read the error codes from the ... gosh, I do not remember the module, third down the list in the Gearbox section, there are a couple of error codes shown, I can upload pictures, I couldn't save the error list.

I can hear the strange noise when I switch off the car, so I guess it is indeed the actuator motor. I know this can be temporarily fixed by turning the gear 180 degrees, but we have a long trip in front of us, more than 5,000 km, so I do not want this thing to happen during our vacations.

I think I'll have to bite the bullet and have it replaced. Arghhh

__________________
John Caradimas
2005 X5 3.0lt diesel
Facelift, Sport packet