Trans Fail Safe + Symptoms...PLEASE HELP!!!

[jammer310]

I just recently purchased a 2001 X5 4.4 with 58,000 miles on it...It drives beautifully and appears to have been well cared for...A few weeks ago the Transmission Failsafe Warning/Mode appeared on the OBC and simutaneously the Check Engine Light came on...We read the codes and came up with code 0709 or Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Intermittent...We then came to research the experiences of other X5 owners here on X5World...we concluded the sensor was bad and cleared the codes and began driving and enjoying our X5 again as usual...Today I TRIED to start the car and the electronics in the car came on but the engine did not engage...sort of like if you try to start the car in Reverse...I attempted to start it twice and then just sat there dumbfounded for a minute, then for lack of anything else useful to try I attempted a third start and low and behold it fired right up...not problems...except that pesky Transmission Failsafe Warning light came on and so did the Check Engine Light...I was concerned but my husband said it was a bad sensor and I only had to drive my son to pre-school so I figured what the heck...so I drove him to school...NEVER turning the car back off for fear it might not restart when I came out of the school's lot it was a sharp turnonto a STEEP hill...the car revved hard as if it had NO POWER and the TACH went up wildly...then all of a sudden it seemed fine...I went home turned the car on and off a few times and decided to drive a littl more...it seemed fine...no Tranmission Failsafe Warning, but the Check Engine Light was still on...I had had a similar experience in the rain last week on a steep hill, but there were no lights, warnings and such...just a revving engine when I tried to climb a steep grade from a stopped postion...just like today...my husband said it was the rain and perhaps the DSC had engaged and I had not noticed...I bought that answer, but now I don't think he was correct...So finally after long last I came out to pick up my son from school and sarted the car the FIRST time and the check engine light was gone and no Transmission Failsafe Mode either...but when I came home I noticed a little drip...like a quarter sized spot of oil all the way up the driveway where I had backed out...you know the same sort of drippage you get from your A/C...oh and I forgot to mention my A/C went last week...it just makes this squealing sound and blows warm air...I don't know IF that is related but thought I would mention it!!! So the drip was OBVIOUSLY NOT from the A/C and when I looked at the spots and rubbed my fingers through them they were oily...I got under the car...and found that the oil was coming from a shield of some sort...sorry I do not know the technical name for it that covers the front end of the transmission. When I put my han up on the top of this shield it seems there was a collection of golden/clear oil with no particular smell to it...There is NO OIL on the floor of the garage so IF it is leaking it is either a new leak or a SLOW leak...Does anyone know where I should start? We have the unforntunate problem of living far from a reputable dealership and quite frankly I just bought the car two months ago and just did the expansion tank and sensors replacement tow weeks ago...I bought it knowing I might have some problems what with the history of this model, but I am hoping that it may be something LESS serious than the tansmission itself...Any suggestions would be appreciated as I need a place to start...I have read that the Failsafe MOde and loss of A/C could be due to a bad Alternator or ignition switch...I also have some dead pixels on the OBC...I doubt this is related as I know these units are faulty, but I just thought I would mention it...I planned to replace that as soon as I could get a few bucks in the bank!!! Again ANY help would be GREATLY appreciated...Thanks in advance!

[Big "J"]

Trans fail safe can be from a faulty speed sensor in the tranny. The engine revving up and doing weird things on inclines and such is your tranny slipping. I'd get the fluid changed soon at a reputable indy shop. Not a stealership. If you still experience the same issues after the fluid change you may try and have a software update to your tranny if it hasn't been done prior to your ownership. That will need to be done at the dealer. The fluid leak could be oil or tranny fluid (cooling hoses). You need to have the skid plate taken off and trace the leak.

Good Luck!

[jammer310]

Thanks so much Big "J"...I will start by taking off the skid plate this weekend...So from what you are saying it may not be the transmission itself that is leaking???

I also wondered IF the slippage which occurs ONLY on a steep incline and only occassionally could be due to LOW FLUID...if in fact the transmission is leaking???

It seems getting your transmission fluid CHANGED is somewhat controversial here on these boards...with most saying never to change the fluid in a high mileage transmissions, but mine has relatively LOW mileage...I am a little afraid to mess with the tranny given the high cost of replacement

I originally thought it was the transmission slipping but due to the bad weather conditions when it first happened, my husband convicned me it was the DSC...I should have known better but I didn't want to think it was the tranny...with 59K it should be good for a long time...or at least one would think! How do I determine IF the tranny software has been updated by a previeous owner???

Thanks again for any and all advice!!!

[Big "J"]

Definitely have the tranny fluid level checked.
I had mine fluid changed and it gave my tranny new life. It seems to shift quicker and smoother. Some folks change their fluid every 30K as preventive maint.
If the DSC kicked in a light would come on temporarily indicating you lost traction and the DSC took over.
Some service locations can perform a "synthetic flush" where they hook up a pump to the transmission cooler lines and circulate the old fluid out and new fluid in.
If it were mine, I'd start with a simple fluid/ filter change and see if that helps. If not,then go to a dealer and see if you had the software updated, that's the only way to tell. If that doesn't correct the problem then have the output speed sensor changed. Next would be the undesirable.

[youry]

to rule out DSC disable it and see if you encounter the same problem

Originally Posted by jammer310

Thanks so much Big "J"...I will start by taking off the skid plate this weekend...So from what you are saying it may not be the transmission itself that is leaking???

I also wondered IF the slippage which occurs ONLY on a steep incline and only occassionally could be due to LOW FLUID...if in fact the transmission is leaking???

It seems getting your transmission fluid CHANGED is somewhat controversial here on these boards...with most saying never to change the fluid in a high mileage transmissions, but mine has relatively LOW mileage...I am a little afraid to mess with the tranny given the high cost of replacement

I originally thought it was the transmission slipping but due to the bad weather conditions when it first happened, my husband convicned me it was the DSC...I should have known better but I didn't want to think it was the tranny...with 59K it should be good for a long time...or at least one would think! How do I determine IF the tranny software has been updated by a previeous owner???

Thanks again for any and all advice!!!

[jammer310]

Okay that sounds like a great plan Big "J"...I will follow your advice...I guess I next need to find an indy around my area...so far I have had no luck on that search...not a lot of Bimmers in this area...we are southeast of Pittsburgh where there are two to three dealerships, but locally I have not been able to find a good indy...I have a friend who has a Mercedes and they take their car to a guy they swear by...I will give him a call...

Youry, I will take your advice as well and disable the DSC and see if the problem returns...

Today's events go as follows...I started the car first try and then put the car into reverse...the Transmission Failsafe Mode Light came on and shortly after so did the Check Engine Light...I have noticed if I put the car into or out of gear a little harder than perhaps I should I get the error code IF I take my time and VERY gentle...no error code...It is almost like it has an overly sensitive trigger...I know that is NOT the problem, but that is how it seems... Kind of wierd!!!

ANy memebers Southeast of Pittsburgh know a good mechanic or is there a list somewhere of indy's memebers on this forum use...I would be happy to patronize the friends or mechanics of other members!!! Tha nks so much!

[Big "J"]

What's your ZIP?

[flyingmachine]

jammer310,

The oil you found might be from somewhere else. power steering hoses, valve cover gasket, oil separator, ...etc are common problems that give you leak on X5. I would suggest you to find a reputable shop that can check transmission fluid level for you first. Then get the fluid changed and see if it fixes your transmission problem.

And you're definitely not like "average mom". Seems that you've done a lot more than just driving the car. My wife will never go under the car in her life.(maybe not even check tire wear)

[Big "J"]

If you can't find a good indy, then I'd go and talk to a "Midas" or a shop that can do tranny work and "interview" them about working on your tranny. What do they know about BMW's and ask them..... "to show where the dip stick for the tranny is". Keep in mind we don't have one. If he points to the oil dip stick then advise him to get a manual and read up on BMW tranny's and you'll be back. When he can answer the question with some confidence.

[jammer310]

Hahahahaha...that is probably the best line ever!!! I will take your advice...Thanks so much!