4 wheel drive light is on

[402monte]

2004 x5 - battery needed to be jumped-
after vehicle started service engine soon and 4wheel drive light came on- after an hour or two service engine light went off. 4 wheel drive warning light still on has anyone experienced this? can u reset 4 wheel drive light.
If replace the battery does it have to be a bmw battery or spacial battery?
Thanks

[TwinsPoppa]

Might just have to reset steering sensor. Usually when you lose power you have to reset it. I can't remember if the car has to be started. I think not, just ignition turned to position 2. Then just turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock (all the way left and right) and that should clear it. Give that a try.

[402monte]

tried it -didn't shut it off-
thanks anyway

[Yii]

I got this when my battery died. I ignored it and drove around for a while and the light disappeared. Hope that helps. Getting this isnt unusual after a dead battery incident so nothing to worry.

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by 402monte

tried it -didn't shut it off-
thanks anyway

Can't remember if it turns it off after doing the lock-to-lock or after re-centering the wheel. Anyways, worth a try again. Maybe start the X this time. I think its not supposed to matter if the X is started or not.

Otherwise, you might want to take someplace to maybe read any codes.

It could be the steering angle sensor itself, wire harness, a module, etc.

Changing the battery should not cause problems.

I would also try this. Disconnect the battery for 30min to 1 hr. Reconnect the battery. Then try the reset again. Usually the yellow 4x4 is on along with BRAKE and ABS lights I think (or is it the DSC?). After the reset it should all go away.

Good luck and hope its nothing more than this.

[JCL]

A failing battery can cause any number of warning lights to come on. Replace the battery if necessary. Then see if the warning lights are still there. Until then, don't worry about the warning light.

If the battery is 4 or more years old, just replace it. It doesn't have to be a BMW battery, but it has to physically fit, have sufficient reserve capacity, and have the external vent tube (since it is under the floor). Search on battery replacement posts for recommendations on specific battery suppliers.

[402monte]

thanks everyone-
I tried to reset the steering sensor, drove it and charged the battery-not 100% sure which one did worked- but light did go off.
Probably the battery my guess because other stupid electrical issues were happening and they resolved itself.
Thanks again,
402 monte

[_XS3C_]

I had similar story when I had to disconnected the battery for charging. The yellow traction control light came ON when I started the engine and did not go off at all after that.
On idling I did turned the st. wheel lock to lock L to R by one time, and the light went out.
It is the same procedure on the MB's for the ASR reset ...... that's how I came up with the "idea" to try it on the X ...


_XS3C_

PS ..... btw do not hold the traction control button pressed for some seconds [forgot how many ... 10 or so] if you assume that way the light will go out on the dash ~~ holding it pressed will shut down the ABS control and that will be recorded in the car PC ..... well you are out of the fact. warranty so no big deal ... anyway