Trans failsafe

[vinuneuro]

Replacing parts through trial and error is never a good way of troubleshooting.

[reg]

BAD bat. or Alt... Same this happened to me! 2001 X5 4.4i...

[ttzcar]

It's the battery, same thing happened to me I got really scared at first. FYI I made the mistake of buying a battery at AutoZone and the connectors didn't fit right. It was a huge hassle. Go to a beemer dealer, same time and headache's.

[Denasti]

I replaced the battery with a Interstate battery and cleared the codes. I started the car and left it in park 5 minutes and the Transfail and lights came back. The car never moved.

Any way to check the ABS module or just send it out to BBA and lt them test it?

The only sure way to test the alternator is taking it out and bench testing it?

[Denasti]

I broke down and took it to the dealer and they said all things point to the DSC/ABS module causing issues. They wanted $1300 total to replace it but I declined. I just don't have the cash right now after coughing up tuition for first year of my kids college fees.

Any reputable ABS rebuild companies out there? I saw BBA mentioned already

[charan]

Had the same problem in my 4.8iS. Stealer replaced two speed sensors, and the ignition switch before finally replacing the ECU (DME) which finally fixed the problem. I had mentioned that the cause is probably the ECU with direction from someone else on this board when I first took the X in to the shop. 5 trips later, they finally got the go ahead from BMWNA to change out the ECU, and presto, problem solved. Fortunately for me, all covered under warranty....except my time.

Hope this helps.

[vinuneuro]

Originally Posted by Denasti

I broke down and took it to the dealer and they said all things point to the DSC/ABS module causing issues. They wanted $1300 total to replace it but I declined. I just don't have the cash right now after coughing up tuition for first year of my kids college fees.

Any reputable ABS rebuild companies out there? I saw BBA mentioned already

Check car-part.com under ABS Control Module. I see a bunch for around $150-200.

[Denasti]

BBA remanufacturing called to let me know my module was beyond repair

I checked auto-part.com and nothing is showing up in Texas so I may need to check more zip codes. Anyone know of a company that sells the module and you just send in the core?

[Denasti]

I wanted to post a ending to this nightmare so others may get some help from it.

I sent the module to be repaired to 2 different locations. The first one botched the job and said they could not fix it. Then I sent it to ATE and they tried but were unable to fix the damage from the previous repair shop.

I then was forced to buy a new unit from BMW, all the dealers I found locally were outrageous. I went online and found Crevier bmw in Cali and got a super deal from them and installed it myself. I had to have the dealer recalibrate the unit for one hours labor and in all I saved $300 buyign the unti and inatalling it myself but that is nothing in the time I had to take to diagnosis and send the old unit all over.

I was taught a trick though. If you are getting a transafe failure then disconnect the ABS controller and reset the codes. If you drive the vehicle and no longer get the failsafe but he lights stay on, then its the ABS module. Good luck.