X5 wont move in gear but Drive shaft is turning.

[JasBib]

Hi,


Just bought a used 2001 X5. The other day, -15 degrees celcius outside, I was on the highway doing a steady 120 km/h suddenly the car redlined so I released the gas. I pressed the gas again and the same thing happened so I coasted it off the highway up to a red light where it wouldnt move. The car seemed to be in neutral no matter if I put it in Drive of Reverse. I turned the car off and turned it back on and played with the steering wheel back and forth and for some unknown reason the gears engaged again and it drove like nothing happened.


I drove it to a residential area out of the way in case it happened again and it did about 2 km from the first stop. This time no changes so I had it towed back home.


The car rolls even in park or gears. The transmission prior to this was very smooth and didnt feel any issues occuring. Now when I put it in drive or reverse the front drive shaft turns and makes a sort of metallic, broken bearing type noise near the front differential.


I bought a bmw scanner and it shows now issues with the transmission but says the "VTG Gearbox Control" has a "Communication Error: 1 System Equipped? 2. Cable Connected?" I thought it might be because I dont have the xdrive model and therefore no transfer case actuator motor, am I right to assume this? Not sure whats going on, going to pull the drive shaft tomorrow to check the splines but the noise is not comming from the splined end at the transfer case but from the front diff.


I just dont understand how the car was running steadily, then failed out of the blue and stopped. Then for no apparent reason started working again and driving normally then failed again so Im inclined to believe its an electronic issue although the sound leads me to believe otherwise.


I also checked the battery which was slightly low voltage yet the alternator is working fine. I ran the car boosted off my Subaru Forester to give it more juice after giving the X5 battery a full trickle charge to 100% and still no change.


Any ideas?


PLEASE HELP!!!!!:'(