service enging soon light on. Dealer states that..

[sarnomel99]

I know another problem with my 01 X5 (I'm trying to sell it) . Ok so now about 2 days after getting it back from BMW for fixing something else my service engine light comes on so i take it back in and he quoted me $8,000 to fix the problems. One of them he said was the transmission, even though it's not slipping or anything. What are some reasons for this light coming on, or are there too many too list. I'm sick of being at the dealer spending hunders sometimes thousands on this car. I have paid for this car in repairs alone I have had it. I'm a single girl so I sometimes wonder if I'm being lied to about somethings. I have caught them in a couple lies about things that I educated myself about before going in and they totally lied so I would like to know a little bit before I try to get this fixed so I can at least trade it in since I can't sell it personally. thanks guys your always a huge help

[w89coupe]

You can take it to advance auto or somewhere like that and they can pull a code on it and tell u what it is. It could be something as simple as a gas cap issue. My light came on just about everytime I got gas after about 100 miles and then it would go off at about 200 miles. I guess you or me either one know how to maintain a vehicle. Thats what i was told when I complained about my pos x5

[cmyX6go]

I agree with checking the gas cap, twist it off and then back on. It has happened to me several times.

Are you going to the dealer or an independant shop? Either way, get another opinion. Also ask the genius that told you $8,000 to spell out what the problems are. Come back and post them.

Good luck!


Not all dealers and mechanics treat us like we're stupid. You just need to sound like you know what you're talking about and find a dealer or independent you can trust.

[swissfrank]

Just stop taking your car to THAT dealership!

[sarnomel99]

I know I wish there was somewhere else to take it. I'm a single girl here is SLC, Ut and I have been looking for another place to take it and can't find one. So I just talked to my service adviser about why the mechanic said the light was on and this is what he said "I short tested the vehicle and found the fault ws caused by the torque converter lockup, escessive slip. I asked him where he came up with the $8,000 in repairs and he said that all that meant was that I need a new transmission which is 6700 before tax and all that or I could replace the torque converter at 3600 before tax but that replacing the torque converter may not solve the problem so what do you guys think of that. There have been two times that I remember taking my car in them telling me that this was the problem so I fixed it for a grand and still had the same problem and then they would say well we thought it was that but it must be this instead for another 600 so basically they replaced something that didn't need replacing so I don't know what to believe.

[motordavid]

GOOG SLC,UT BMW Repair...a couple of Indies show up.
Stuff that stlr and hit an indie or, dump the car.
GL,mD

Repost from another thread...

[swissfrank]

What absolute rubbish! TC lockup is controlled by the valve body via a solenoid and by a clutch. I'd Find it ridiculous for you to replace the TC without other justification. Just whatever you do don't bring it back there. I think you definatley want to find a good BF or better yet a GREAT INDIE to look after you car for you.

Did you get your X5 brand NEW? Cause you really do have somewhat of a lemon looking at your other posts!

Originally Posted by sarnomel99

I know I wish there was somewhere else to take it. I'm a single girl here is SLC, Ut and I have been looking for another place to take it and can't find one. So I just talked to my service adviser about why the mechanic said the light was on and this is what he said "I short tested the vehicle and found the fault ws caused by the torque converter lockup, escessive slip. I asked him where he came up with the $8,000 in repairs and he said that all that meant was that I need a new transmission which is 6700 before tax and all that or I could replace the torque converter at 3600 before tax but that replacing the torque converter may not solve the problem so what do you guys think of that. There have been two times that I remember taking my car in them telling me that this was the problem so I fixed it for a grand and still had the same problem and then they would say well we thought it was that but it must be this instead for another 600 so basically they replaced something that didn't need replacing so I don't know what to believe.

[sarnomel99]

I really do have a lemon. I bought it 2 years old out of florida. I won't take it back there and I have no intention of replacing the transmission. I'm going to trade it in if it doesn't sell in the next month. I'm sorry I'm confused by what your saying though. What is an indie and a BF. So are you basically saying that they are full of shit and if that's the case what do I do? take it to a regular mechanic and tell them what BMW said and see what they can find out? Sorry it's the girl thing again.. I'm confused but thank you

[swissfrank]

INDIE=Independant Mechanic that specialized in these vehicles, and not just any other shop out there. However when you do take it to an independant bmw specialist let them come to their own conclusion, and you can compare notes after they tell you what they think. The would be the route to go! Good luck!

Originally Posted by sarnomel99

I really do have a lemon. I bought it 2 years old out of florida. I won't take it back there and I have no intention of replacing the transmission. I'm going to trade it in if it doesn't sell in the next month. I'm sorry I'm confused by what your saying though. What is an indie and a BF. So are you basically saying that they are full of shit and if that's the case what do I do? take it to a regular mechanic and tell them what BMW said and see what they can find out? Sorry it's the girl thing again.. I'm confused but thank you

[Quicksilver]

And indie is an independent BMW service center.
Most cities have shops that specialize in BMW service
that are not connected to dealers. As such they tend
to perform work that is just as good and maybe sometime
better than the dealer for less cost.

Be bold and stop a few other BMW drivers and ask
where they get their vehicle serviced.

When you get some names go to the shops and get their opinion
but DO NOT tell them you have been somewhere else
or volunteer any information about what other shops
have said about you problem.

If you get the same answer from more than one shop you may well be headed in the right direction. Come back here and post you're findings.

Regards