Trans Failsafe Prog

[Weasel]

On the X5 that battery cable trick isn't enough to tell you much about the alternator. Do the autozones etc. in Cali do free checks like they do in most states? If so they can roll a tester out to the car and check the diodes as well as the amperage output.

[Nik]

on mine there was bad crankshaft sensor and that's it with electric issues, but other then that they tell me tranny is bad because message didn't go out. most likely harness/solenoids are damaged. I think i won't have to deal with it any more

[urcbmw8]

I have Autozone checked my battery and I was told that the battery is weak and now my car is dead on me. One guy who used to work for BMW tech told me that I had the bad alternator. It sounds convincing but I had alternator replaced in 03/2008 so the alternator went bad about two years. I really don't believe it but i may have too now. I saw some thread here about someone who owns X5 and he/she had Trans. Failsafe Prog on and the car went dead and dealer told that it caused from the bad ignition switch. Is it true? Because I had my ignition switch replaced last month, could it be the cause? Why it has to do with Ignition switch? I can turn on and off engine fine. What should I do now? Should I go ahead replace new alternator? Please advise.

[ayagutak]

I have been reading for a few days now about all the posting about transmission slipping,jerking when rolling to a stop. I'm know thinking about changing the tranny filter,oil. i don't know if this will stop the rear ended problems but i will go ahead and change it. The problem i found with the rear ending seam to start up after about 15-30 mint driven, when the tranny fluid get heated up,if that the problem than isnt it the Transmission Oil Cooler,need to be change Bimmer Specialist

[CharlieHustleX5]

Originally Posted by urcbmw8

I have Autozone checked my battery and I was told that the battery is weak and now my car is dead on me. One guy who used to work for BMW tech told me that I had the bad alternator. It sounds convincing but I had alternator replaced in 03/2008 so the alternator went bad about two years. I really don't believe it but i may have too now. I saw some thread here about someone who owns X5 and he/she had Trans. Failsafe Prog on and the car went dead and dealer told that it caused from the bad ignition switch. Is it true? Because I had my ignition switch replaced last month, could it be the cause? Why it has to do with Ignition switch? I can turn on and off engine fine. What should I do now? Should I go ahead replace new alternator? Please advise.

Ur battery being weak may have nothing to do with your alternator being bad. Change the battery if its been 5 or more years since its been replaced.

[CharlieHustleX5]

If the battery tested weak, then change it out. Then you can diagnose the alternator.

[daneshfar]

These forums have helped me so much i need to give back. After I fixed my window mechanism, testing it up and down, the next morning car would not crank over but all kinds of things flickered and clicked. I set battery charger and left for the day. Of history I had alternator changed 2 years ago (but this is same battery that at the time had to be charged several times and was probably stressed when BMW figured out my car was just shy of making enough juice with bad voltage regulator..they changed whole thing for 900). back to now; After I got home I tested battery from engine bay and measured 16.5 volts and when engine on running 17.5 volts. Couldn't figure out how you can get such voltages and took off connector to MAF and alternator to blow clean and reconnected (So i thought). Did some research online and you can not get these voltages out of a 12 volt system, I HAD LOW battery in my Multimeter, replaced and got 12.8 volts off and 14.2 volts with car running. These are what it should be and I thought great all is fixed and battery was just low and now that its charged all is good. NExt morning starts great and engine runs fine drove one block and got TRAN FAILSAFE PROG. Shifting almost normal but rougher than should be specially when slowing down from 20 to 0 it downshifted rough to 2 and 1 st gear to stop. I am panicking over my transmission now!!!. Took car home went to work. Came home and tested battery down to 10.7 volts (my meter is good now with new batteries in it). I take battery completely out of car thinking must have a draw on it. Charged all night and next morning got 11.4 volts and within 30 minutes get 10.5 volts. Battery must be bad. took to walmart and battery tester says bad cell in battery . Got the 3 year free replacement EVERLAST 82 dollars and size 94R and brought back fit perfectly. Started car no problems. Drove off and instantly TRAN Failsafe PROG. I am panicking calling BMW for appointment and they are of no use on the phone just want you to bring in and check. Took to Autozone and reads out a MAF issue. ENGine now starts and runs normally so I think that is not right. Had appointment for 2 days from now with BMW decide I will check under hood and look at MAF(mass air flow) and SEE ITS NOT PLUGGED IN!!! I did that?
Plugged in and drove off, TRAN FAILSAFE PROG GONE!!! but still SES (service engine soon light still on. After 3 or 4 turn on and off going places it is now OFF too!!!
So here is the analysis, LOW battery and bad cell was culprit all along, My own fault to dissconnect MAF harness and not reconnect. So if this is not connected this TRAN failsafe prog warning will be seen!!! what the hell these two have to do with each other I don't know. ALSO WHY WOULD AN ENGINE RUN BEAUTIFULLY if the MAF is bad or in this case NOT even plugged in.
NOW battery measures 12.9 with car off and 14.1 volts running. This tells me regulator and alternator working. All my warnings are off. Cancelled BMW appointment. Got cheap battery with 3 year warranty free replacement.
I HOPE I HAVE HELPED SOMEONE ELSE AS ALL THE TIDBITS I PICK UP ON THESE FORUMS HAVE HELPED ME.