2003 4.4 no awd

[Qsilver7]

I would recommend again to reread the info about ADB and how DSC can't be totally turned off on the pre-facelift e53 X5s.



The AWD system does not work like a 4x4 system with a locking differential...nor does it work like the facelift e53 X5 and all other "X" BMWs that have xDrive:

(ignore the text that is highlighted...that was done for a reply a long time ago...but do focus on how DSC functions if the front axle was to be experiencing slip...and how DSC would brake the front and allow the rear to spin)

[amancuso]

Originally Posted by Jeadiex5

Mine was the yaw sensor located under the console. No power coming from it.

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Your 2006 model uses a different AWD system. Not relevant to the OP.

[Jeadiex5]

Bummer...was an easy (although not cheap) fix.

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[Bull907]

I have no idea what the issue is... I jacked it up (even though I was already 100% sure none of the front wheels have power) and I was proven correct. No power to the front wheels.

From what Research I’ve done all e53’s have a yaw sensor. Even my 540 does.

[Crowz]

Well if you jacked it up and there is no power to front wheels and that is by LOOKING at the front driveshaft (runs from transfer case to the front differential) and see the front driveshaft not turning when in gear and the back wheels are turning then you for sure have a bad transfer case.

This can be stripped gears or a broken chain. You will have to remove the transfer case and open it to see what the cause it. They are super simple to rebuild.

[Crowz]

As for sensors and the like there are no sensors involved in the front driveshaft turning. Its a simple mechanical setup. The reason it gets lost in the "how it works" stuff has to do with the way bmw uses the brakes to stop a wheel from slipping by applying the brakes to that wheel.

But the actual driving of the wheels is old school mechanical stuff. No sensors involved and no computer stuff involved on the original setup.

The 2004 and later models have xdrive. THAT has computer involvement. But yours doesn't.

[Bull907]

What do you mean if? The front driveshaft turns. I’ll just post a link to a video

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by Bull907

What do you mean if? The front driveshaft turns. I’ll just post a link to a video

Easy now. We are only trying to help. Your previous post didn't say anything about the front driveshaft turning.

[EODguy]

Crowz was clarifying as to the no power. If front wheels aren't turning it could be an issue at the front differential. Front DS to diff or diff to cvc, but if DS isn't turning then it's at transfer case (hence placing eyes on shaft vs. wheels)

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[Crowz]

Yep on both of the aboves.

Just because the wheels are not turning isn't all of it. By eyeballing the front driveshaft directly like mentioned it will determine for sure its the transfer case. Just using the wheels as a test spot leaving other things out of the equation like a broke cv joint, stripped differential, etc.

By eyeballing the front driveshaft and knowing its not turning when the rear wheels are turning lets you KNOW its the transfer case and not something else.