QUICK HELP!!

[Chip]

My X5, while my wife was picking up my kid today at school, died. It first read Tran. Failure Programming or so. Then, when she tries to start it, it makes loud clicking noises. What could be the problem? I called BMW Roadside Assistance and theyll be there in an hour. TIA

[BimmerDude]

It might be a bad battery. When the bat. is weak, it does make the elec. in the X go wacko.... It will be ok, just a big inconvenience to your family... Thank God there at the school and not some where else...

[rastaFarai]

Yeah - it if it says "trans fail safe" or something like that could be battery. Same thing happened to me. Ended up being the altenator (electric power related like battery). Turned out i had a battery drain, after they replaced the alternator i was still getting a dead batt (no trans fail safe msg tho). So i can't be 100% that it was alternator - but I know i had an issue with battery because of the drain.

FYI my drain was the AC blower motor.. my indie mechanic found it in a few minutes - apparently its a common issue on BMW. He guesed it before he even looked at the car. Good luck - hope the family is ok.

[Chip]

Oh, yea, the car wouldn't start up after she was in the lot. It is now at the dealership and I got a loaner. WIll post what the damage is...