4x4 DSC light ON, no others; 5F0C DSC sensor, internal – SOLVED

[Junkycosmos]

Error code DSC – 5F0C DSC sensor, internal – fault currently present.
Had intermittent 4x4 light on and off a few times till last month when it came on and stayed on.

Only have 1 error light on : the 4x4 / DSC light ON, no ABS light, no suspension inactive errors.

I have done a bunch of reading on the great forums but I am not still not sure what to conclude. I appreciate any input.
Currently tracking these options:
a. DSC control block (on abs block) http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ht-lit-up.html
or DSC Light On - How to Diagnose?

b. rotation rate (yaw) speed sensor under the center consul as noted here http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...al-sensor.html (but I do not have suspension inactive messages)

c. plastic gear in the transfer case activator ? (wouldn’t this give a different code?) http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-gear-diy.html


voltage:
Installed new battery as it was on the to do list anyways, H8 AGM, was on charger before install. Running volts were jumpy (12.3-13.9) with old batt but now rock solid at 13.9 when running, pre engine start volts look reasonable too (12.3).

Codes (via ebay setup of GT1) : Pre battery swap: Had a few pre battery swap, most all listed as fault not currently present. Looked like maybe they had not been cleared in a while by prior owner.
SMF -14 SM/LSM Steering column, radial: block operation – Currently not currently present – Fault frequency 1
SMF – 12 SM/LSM: Steering column radial: short circuit - – Currently not currently present – Fault frequency 31
MRS4 - 50 MRW Power Supply - currently not present – Under voltage – Fault frequency 3
INSTRUMENT – 11 IKE Acoustic transmitter disconnected (gong tone 1/2/3)
INSTRUMENT – 8B IKE Gong tone (T3)
INSTRUMENT – 91 IKE Gong tone (T2)
INSTRUMENT –BD IKE: Electronic braking force distribution
LEW - 04 LWS: Slider fault (adjustment operation) Frequency 0
LEW -0B LWS: Sensor/vehicle allocation incorrect or not available Frequency 0
DSC - 5F0C DSC : DSC sensor, internal –Fault currently not present
DSC -5F5B DSC Instrument cluster Fault currently not present
DSC – 5EB1 DSC Steering – angle sensor Fault currently not present

After Battery swap: While changing the battery my 12v power supply disconnected and lost overall power. When powered back up the light remained. Only have the 4x4 light on, no ABS, no Suspension inactive

Tried turning the steering wheel lock to lock to reset the light the SAS for the light, light remained on.

Pulled codes again:
INSTRUMENT –BD IKE: Electronic braking force distribution
DSC – 5EB1 DSC Steering – angle sensor Fault currently present
DSC - 5F0C DSC : DSC sensor, internal –Fault currently present

Tried simple reset, no change.
Did steering angle sensor - re-calibration via GT1 (BMW Steering Angel Sensor Calibration - YouTube) this cleared the SAS errors (SAS reads even 615 lock to lock via GT1)

Brings me back to where I am stuck and what I was my original issue that has my 4x4 light / DSC light on.
Code:
DSC - 5F0C DSC : DSC sensor, internal –Fault currently present

Any bets on DSC unit, rotation rate (yaw) sensor, or plastic gear in the transfer case activator?

thanks for any ideas

*********
update 02/20/14

SOLVED: indeed turned out to be the YAW Sensor / Speed Sensor / Acceleration Sensor (BMW # 34526777435)
see post #9 for recap

thanks all

[Buguyed]

Still having this issue myself. Subscribed.

Also, has anyone attempted throwing a new alternator or VR at this?

[rogerkiu]

It seems the steering angle sensor goes wrong. I also had this problem before (only 4x4 light on), used DIS to diagnosed and found LEW (steering angle sensor) went wrong. I replaced the LEW and everything backed to normal.

[Junkycosmos]

I unplugged the battery cable overnight last night: just to be sure. Indeed no change; light still on. Then did SAS reset turning wheel lock to lock which did clear the Steering Angle Sensor code but the DSC internal error is still present.
>DSC - 5F0C DSC : DSC sensor, internal –Fault currently present


Driving I can confirm that ABS is fully functional and working well on the ice.

In GT1
I can also fully control the ABS pumping of the lines (brake line mix up check)
I can see Steering Angle Sensor reporting value and pressure via brake pedal.
HOWEVER
I cannot see any values reported for Rotation rate or Transversal acceleration; they both always reads ZERO, even during brief drive test.

Question1: can anyone confirm IF laptop version of GT1 reports values here and under what conditions?


Quesiton2: what errors in GT1 are seen when the transfer case activator plastic gear turns to dust?


thanks again for the help

[TwinsPoppa]

My opinion is that since you have the same error as mine, and no ABS light (which IIRC should also be on if its the DSC/ABS module) then its one of the sensors other than the wheel speed sensors (obviously since you don't get the ABS light).

Since I no longer have the X or the GT1 I'm limited in what I could contribute further.

I forgot how many other sensors there are. Maybe its only the yaw sensor that's left. In which case, there's your answer.

Did you happen to have a CANbus error too? When you went through the test plan, did you get the same screen results in the GT1 as mine?



Regardless, my bet is that same yaw sensor.

[rogerkiu]

Originally Posted by Junkycosmos

I unplugged the battery cable overnight last night: just to be sure. Indeed no change; light still on. Then did SAS reset turning wheel lock to lock which did clear the Steering Angle Sensor code but the DSC internal error is still present.
>DSC - 5F0C DSC : DSC sensor, internal –Fault currently present


Driving I can confirm that ABS is fully functional and working well on the ice.

In GT1
I can also fully control the ABS pumping of the lines (brake line mix up check)
I can see Steering Angle Sensor reporting value and pressure via brake pedal.
HOWEVER
I cannot see any values reported for Rotation rate or Transversal acceleration; they both always reads ZERO, even during brief drive test.

Question1: can anyone confirm IF laptop version of GT1 reports values here and under what conditions?


Quesiton2: what errors in GT1 are seen when the transfer case activator plastic gear turns to dust?


thanks again for the help

In this case, only 2 sensor left to be the problem, one is the yaw sesnor and the other one is the DSC module itself. My guess is the yar sensor.

[Junkycosmos]

Thanks TwinsPoppa and rogerkiu for the replies. I am with you on the error coming down to either the sensor or the DSC unit with my first choice being the sensor.

With that in mind I did order new sensor from ESC (noted that have bosch unit for $349 vs BMW at $512) BMW E53 X5 N62 4.8L Search SiteSearch 34526777435

Given the info posted by TwinsPoppa in his thread last year I was almost opted to try the older part number with a used part via e-bay but did not.


Just as luck would have it this morning our son managed to nicely place the Toyota van in the snowbank between driveway and yard. So at 6:15am in -12F degrees I found myself hooking up my tow strap to X5 hitch and getting ready to curse the lack of 4wd as the light has been on steady last 2 weeks. Turned the key to start up and the light went out (no joke), using the two strap and recovery bar in the X5 hitch worked easy and pulled the van 15 feet back onto the driveway right up the hill.

I did have a pretty good laugh later when I checked mail to find that ECS sent confirmation of my order being shipped for the speed sensor.

Few trips today over 3 hrs and the 4x4/DSC light has stayed out entire time. This evening I hooked up GT1 again to confirm my earlier question.
YES the angle sensor does report data LIVE in GT1 when it is working correctly Control Units -- DSC-->Sensors-->select them all. Gentle shaking or rocking of the X while parked with key ON (motor off) shows values updating quickly for both Rotational rate and Transversal acceleration. Few days ago when the 4x4 / DSC light was ON (GT1 found DSC - 5F0C DSC : DSC sensor, internal –Fault currently present) both of these numbers were measuring fixed at 0.


New sensor is due in a few days and I will still replace since this condition has been intermittent. The failure here looks to be same as what TwinsPoppa encountered but only with 4x4/DSC light on, I have had no other lights , no suspension inactive/faults.

[giodog2000]

For the actuator gear try to listen if you can hear a clicking sound when you shut the engine off like in this video. 2005 BMW X5 TRANSFER CASE ACTUATOR - YouTube

Mine was shot , replaced it with this :BMW E53 X5 N62 4.8L Search SiteSearch Actuator Gear

Still had some problem with the 4x4 and had the angle sensor fault. It was re calibrated and everything fine now.

[Junkycosmos]

SOLVED: indeed turned out to be the YAW Sensor / Speed Sensor / Acceleration Sensor (BMW # 34526777435)

Last weekend I replaced the sensor which is under the center console. Did not require any programming or coding. Just swap the sensor and you are back in business.

I was able to remove the screws from sides of center console which then allowed it to lift just enough to rest it on a plastic bowl I had (5-6" tall). Then I could use a 1/4" socket (10mm) and unbolt the sensor and wiggle it out.

To recap.
*Only warning light I ever had was 4x4 light in center of dash (knows as DSC warning light).
*ABS lights were OFF
*4WD still appeared to work but I'm not sure
*Warning light was intermittent over a 2 month period (I swear it came on after door slamming Then light came on solid and stayed.
*GT1/DIS showed DSC internal sensor error
*GT1/DIS showed ZEROS for Rotation rate and Transversal acceleration
*Replaced Sensor with BOSCH branded unit from ECS Tuning. Pictures look to be exact match from what others have bought from BMW.

Thank you all for the info and replies. Thank you TwinsPoppa for your original post that put me on the right track here. Only difference was I never had self level suspension errors but otherwise the same. Also used your console remove directions.

I learned a bunch of GT1 use here and would be happy to hear questions from the next 'guy'.

[TwinsPoppa]

Xoutpost to the rescue again!

You're welcome and good job with the write-up [SOLVED]!