TRANS.FAILSAFE-can be driven in this mode for how long?

[omodos]

Greetings to all and sorry for posting this, scanned all the threads and tad above my head , to be frank not seen anyone post the same run up i had to the trans.failsafe.prog error on dash that puts the X5 into limp mode...ok its a 3.0d not sure how it differs from a petrol model but any tips greatly appreciated.

Bit of history in life of car I have gotten the error either
a. after very long drives (not always), then just switched off engine startup and all good again. and also when going down steep roads. Again error goes after stopping and starting.
b. more recently last 2 days been consistently getting messages when going down steep inclines and message again goes on stop and start engine, until yesterday where it would come on continuously.

I have stuck it on the ctek charger as in the past have had odd things happened due to low voltage but the battery is 2 months old. I know a capable mechanic but sure bet he is booked for at least 14 days, so question is can the car be driven school runs etc max 10-15 miles a day in limpmode without damage? and the other thing on passing could it be the transmission fluid specially seeing as was getting it quite consistently on downwards steep road? again appreciate any feedback...

[80stech]

Likely you'd be fine for a short while but there is no good answer to any of that because you have no idea what the problem(s) could be.

[omodos]

Ok cheers fella, to be frank noticed the power steering fluid cover.has leaked and is drenching the alteernator, charging though still ok...but think are piling uo...got a cheapo obd reader will try see if that sheds any light

[andrewwynn]

If the problem is electrical like in my case the only harm is that starting off the line in 4th or 5th gear def puts undue stress on things.

I've driven a total of about 50 miles on failsafe mode in the 3-4x it's happened to me.

It was always caused from water getting into the connector going to the transmission. It was apparently actually wicking through the cable like a straw from the top.

Actually once was from a loose connection at the alternator.

Check your running voltage i think it's test 7 or 8 make sure that's not dropping that will kick in failsafe then if you have the same five speed transmission as the 3.0i, then a strong candidate is water in the connector.




I'm curious if the down grade could be shifting water in the connector bringing up the error in down grade.

In my case twice it happened shortly after a huge splash of water hit me from a passing semi truck.

In both those cases, i drove the front right tire onto a curb so i could crawl under the car and get to the transmission connector. Shake out the water and I was good to go.

The very first time i had the water in the connector problem i had slam shifts before it went to limp.

The two times it happened while driving 65–75 mph 105–120 kmh it was in 5th and just stayed in fifth until i got where i pulled over found a curb to drive onto.

You can do those two checks at the least to figure out if one is the cause.

I can't remember if it stays in 4th or 5th but it's a slow launch to say the least. It's definitely meant more for getting you home once than multiple trips. I would be borrowing a car from family rather than drive in case it is an internal damage issue that will strand you. If it's structural it's more likely end of life damage and driving on it with just risk an epic failure vs. boring just stops working. I really never see a car where a badly acting transmission comes back from internal faults other than solenoid based slam shifts where there's usually no error.


–awr–

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[omodos]

@ everyone appreciate replies...as mentioned dunno if power steering fluid covering alternator maybe additional cause, water ingress doubt it as cases in the past were in the summer ....and coupled with old transmission fliud or even low level

[wpoll]

Pretty sure you have the six speed ZF 6HP26Z transmission, so it won't likely be water in the trans. connector. In addition, our 3.0D models have a large plastic splash guard, covering the transmission from, well, splashes. :-)

What might be an issue is the rather common trans. fluid leak from the mechatronic seal, resulting on low fluid levels. This can be hard to spot, since the leaking fluid is often trapped in the splash guard - no tell-tale fluid spots under the car.

[haigha]

Originally Posted by wpoll

Pretty sure you have the six speed ZF 6HP26Z transmission, so it won't likely be water in the trans. connector. In addition, our 3.0D models have a large plastic splash guard covering the transmission, well, splashes. :-)

What might be an issue is the rather common trans. fluid leak from the mechatronic seal, resulting on low fluid levels. This can be hard to spot, since the leaking fluid is often trapped in the splash guard - no tell-tale fluid spots under the car.

Agreed, a very likely cause! In my case there was a puddle of ATF on my garage floor under the transmission, but I have the 4.4i.

[omodos]

Originally Posted by haigha

Agreed, a very likely cause! In my case there was a puddle of ATF on my garage floor under the transmission, but I have the 4.4i.

Ta for all replies...will plead with mechanic to check level and if low at least top up , not sure how tricky or time consuming on a 3.0d this will be. And hopefully will give me more time till the possible leak is resolved unless of course the leak is big one not gradual...okays appreciate again all feedback...

[aureliusmax]

it is safe to drive in safe mode forever until you cook the clutches and the transmission no longer moves in reverse or forward ! however this will only happen if the fluid pressure pump gets destroyed. if you have good line pressure and its not an issue you can drive you car it will just be dog slow to accelerate ! 4way flashes needed

[wpoll]

If you stop the car and restart it and the trans failsafe warning goes away, then you aren’t actually driving it in failsafe mode. However, it will likely keep popping into the failsafe mode until you address the issue.

And a proper scanner will tell you what is triggering the failsafe mode....