DSC / 4x4 Inactive warning light - Page 2

avonside · #1 12-22-2010, 06:13 AM

thanx for the replies,,just wanted to check the car is still safe to drive????, ie nothing mechanical will be damaged by continuing to drive the car if the light has come on while driving. I will not be able to get the car to a garage before xmas now.

JCL · #2 12-22-2010, 06:17 AM

Nothing will be further damaged, but traction will not be as if everything was working, so take it easy.

apetrov1x5 · #3 01-10-2011, 06:12 PM

I got a similar issue today.

four yellow lights (abs, 4x4, tyre pressure!!!, and one more light) came on and speedo does not work.

also while driving ~ 40mph the parktronic sensors were working because the speedo was showing 0

is there any damage being done by driving it for 1800 miles? I really would like to drive it the service where I always fix it...I can live with speedo not working until then.

JCL · #4 01-10-2011, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apetrov1x5

I got a similar issue today.

four yellow lights (abs, 4x4, tyre pressure!!!, and one more light) came on and speedo does not work.

also while driving ~ 40mph the parktronic sensors were working because the speedo was showing 0

is there any damage being done by driving it for 1800 miles? I really would like to drive it the service where I always fix it...I can live with speedo not working until then.

It isn't just the speedometer not working, it is also the dynamic stability control, traction control, and ABS. You don't say what year it is, but if it is from 2004 onwards there is the possibility of a problem in the x-drive transfer case. The only way to know is to get a proper diagnosis, from the dealer or an independent with the proper equipment (not just a basic OBD code reader).

If it is just a wheel speed sensor causing it (possible) then it isn't a major repair. If it is the instrument cluster, ABS module, etc, it can be more complicated.

You could get the codes read, and then decide together with the technician if there is a risk of damage or not. Even if there isn't a risk of damage, running that distance in winter without DSC, ABS, or AWD has its own risks.

Pepsimax · #5 01-11-2011, 08:23 AM

Agree with above poster.

Hard to say what is wrong without proper diagnosis. I did have the same trouble as you about a year ago though. First ABS DSC Brake lamps would come and go, after a while steady, then my speedo and some other stuff too, PDC still on at 50mph and so on.

Speedo is linked to left rear abs sensor as far as I understand. This COULD be your problem. I took a stab at it and replaced left rear abs sensor and that took care of the problem.

avonside · #6 01-11-2011, 08:12 PM

Car went in to Indi specialist yeaterday for the DSC/ 4x4 inactive message alert,,,,,, luckily it looks like it was the fact that my steering wheel has been on the tilt for a while and having had 3 suspension arms replaced , the vehicle geometrty was way out, so causing the steering wheel sensor to fault.
So £145 later and all seems well, its nice to have the steering wheel straight again,,,,, lets hope I have a little bit of free driving before the next costly thing to fix

I do love my beloved X5 but I have owned it from new and it is only 5 1/2 years old but have had a fair few things break and go wrong bit disapointing for a vehicle that cost nearly $50k ... but the love affair continues

Quote:

Originally Posted by avonside

Can anyone throw any light ( no pun intended ) on my recent issue with the above warning light, It has come on a couple of times recently with the beep and then stayed on for the rest of the journey, but once home and car turned off , next trip out no probs, it has only come on about 6 times in the last 2 months and recently with the snow here in the UK the dsc light has been flashing correctly to tell me the system is working fine,,I have a couple of thoughts is it just a sensor gone bad........does the actual four wheel drive continue to work cos the car is permanent 60/40 split four wheel drive I believe, not just a electronic trickery,,,,,,,strangley this issue has only started since I had some suspension work done,, I had the right rear upper and left rear lower arms replaced at an indi garage,,, is there some sensor or something that needs resetting after replacing suspension parts ????.The strangest thing is that it is irratic and not that frequent which makes me think the system is actualy ok but some sensor is tripping,,I hope so cos I'm sure if ther is a bigger issue we are talking loads of $$$$$$ to fix

Pepsimax · #7 01-12-2011, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avonside

Car went in to Indi specialist yeaterday for the DSC/ 4x4 inactive message alert,,,,,, luckily it looks like it was the fact that my steering wheel has been on the tilt for a while and having had 3 suspension arms replaced , the vehicle geometrty was way out, so causing the steering wheel sensor to fault.
So £145 later and all seems well, its nice to have the steering wheel straight again,,,,, lets hope I have a little bit of free driving before the next costly thing to fix

I do love my beloved X5 but I have owned it from new and it is only 5 1/2 years old but have had a fair few things break and go wrong bit disapointing for a vehicle that cost nearly $50k ... but the love affair continues

I had the same issues myself right around xmas actually. A wheel alignment did the trick. Glad it worked out for you