Warning lights and now FailSafe Trans Prog

NextGen · #1 08-30-2006, 12:23 AM

I have had my X for about 2 months now. It hasn't given me any trouble at all. A few weeks ago I decided to take it to the dealer and have them fix some very minor issues. That is when bad luck started to come my way. I had them change the program so that the doors lock automatically and now the headlights stay on during the day. I took it back and they adjusted it to wait until later in the day. But it still comes on way to early. The sun is at 10 o'clock in the sky and the lights come on. So I scheduled another (3rd) appointment to have them fix it.

The splash guard underneath the bumper on the driver side was missing some screws. I told them to replace the screws. When I came to pick up the X they had adjusted the bumper instead! Now there is space between the bumper and the rest of the vehicle. The service rep said he misunderstood me and thought I meant something was wrong with the bumper. He then tried to cover it up by saying that my bumper needed alignment because it had been in an accident. I asked him why he thought the X was in an accident and he said it was a guess. Isn't that the craziest thing you have ever heard?

Well today coming home my air conditioner would not blow cool air. This is arizona and we stay in triple digit temperature all month long in August. This is the first time I have had any problems with the air conditioner. Well after about 15 minutes the AC started to blow cold. I get through the 40 minute drive home and about 3 blocks from my house warning lights start to display on the dash. The 4x4 light, I believe the stability light, and then the FailSafe Trans Prog turns on. At that point the car stops switching gears. The AC also stops blowing cold.

Wow. I have no idea what is going on here. I don't know if it is a charging problem or if something has gone wrong with the computer. I guess I'll find out tomorrow. Good thing I am still under warranty. The X is only 2 years old with about 30,000 miles.

Once I got it home I let it sit for about an hour and decided to see if it would start. It starts right up with no errors or warning lights. The AC is cold too. I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. I prefer that if something is broke that it stays broke. I don't want the X to break down on me while on the freeway. 80% of my drive home is on the freeway.

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bkran10 · #2 08-30-2006, 08:54 AM

I have a 2000 X and I experienced some of the same problems you've experienced. I learned that the stealership didn't know what the problem was. After I returned my car to the stealership for the 3rd time, he discover that the main problem was the transmission and the brake sensors were miscommunicating. The transmission read that the brakes were not being applied and vice-a-versa. There was a quiet recall on the X regarding that problem at no charge.

NextGen · #3 08-31-2006, 12:56 PM

I can't believe how bad of an experience I have having with these dealers. Yesterday I had my X towed to the dealer. I didn't go with the tow trunk. They dropped it off at 9:30 am. At 1:00 pm the dealer called me and asked me when was I bringing it in. I told them it should have been there at 9:30 that morning; they said they never received it. After calling the tow company to confirm the delivery I then called the dealer back. They described a car they had on the lot and was wondering if it was mine. It was.

Well today the dealer called me and told me I had a bad cell in the battery. They are also going to check the alternator. All of this over a bad battery. Maybe it is time to downgrade to a car with less technology.

chubyball · #4 08-31-2006, 01:42 PM

NextGen,

Why do you have bad cell in the batery? Is it a defect one or you got the after market one. I just wondered before I purchased an oem one to replace my factory one.

NextGen · #5 08-31-2006, 07:12 PM

I just got back for the dealer. It turns out that it was not the battery. The dealer cannot figure out what it is. After they cleared the codes the problem never came back. The battery, alternator, and every thing else checks out okay. So they have given it back to me and now I get to wait for it to break down again. Anyone want to bet that it breaks down on the freeway? This really kills my confidence in my X now. My history with cars says that this problem will come back again. What can I do?

NextGen · #6 08-31-2006, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chubyball

NextGen,

Why do you have bad cell in the batery? Is it a defect one or you got the after market one. I just wondered before I purchased an oem one to replace my factory one.

I still have the original BMW battery. My X has a production date of April 2004. It is way to early for the battery to die.

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