Yet another 'Transmission Failsafe' issue

[dhyrk3]

Hey guys

I have been researching on tranny issues here and I think mine is another case ??

This symptom started 4 months back, car was parked, engine was running, A/C on, radio was also on. Out of the blue, radio shuts down, Nav screen shuts down, DSC/4x4 inactive message appeared with lights on, break and ABS lights on, Trans Failsafe Mode appeared. I shut everything off and then wont start anymore. I had to use my battery booster to start the X. Eventually I found that the battery had a leak.

I didn't change the battery yet as I have to go out of the country for 3 months, so it was just sitting out under the scorching heat here in the land of sand.

So the battery was changed exactly 35 days ago.

It has been running fine since then. Next instance happened when when I was on driving at 120kph. Same as above, all the messages and lights went off and I had to use the booster again.

It can't be the battery anymore as it's considerably new, can it?

I was assuming that if it is indeed a transmission-induced symptom, the 'trans failsafe mode' and lights would just go off, right?

I'm sending her to the garage this week and will share everyone what the findings are.

If you could also share your thoughts now, would highly appreciate it.

cheers!

[Big "J"]

My 4.8is did the same thing, I changed the battery and then about 2 weeks later the alternator decided to fail and changed it out. So far all is ok with no other messages.

Good Luck!

[dhyrk3]

Originally Posted by Big "J"

My 4.8is did the same thing, I changed the battery and then about 2 weeks later the alternator decided to fail and changed it out. So far all is ok with no other messages.

Good Luck!

Thanks Big J. I'll have a look.

Hopefully that would solve the problem.

[TwinTurboGTR]

Run a charging test within the gauge cluster and monitor the voltage under load and no load. See if the charging system is keeping the voltage at above 13V. If it dips below this, it can signal a whole bunch of warnings.

[SlickGT1]

Click the link in my sig, and do the voltage test. Your battery seems to be the dead.

[dhyrk3]

Thanks Slick, I'll check the stand alone V of the battery after this.

As I was driving back home, I continuously observed the battery reading through the cluster, initially it only showed 11.3V. As I drive ahead, level gradually drops down. after 15mins of driving and when the voltage reached 9.9V, boom DSC, ABS, Brake lights have gone off followed by the trans failsafe mode message.

I used my booster to crank the engine again. before starting, the voltage showed 13.4V, after starting and removing the booster, it remained at 13.4V. and after 3 mins of driving it has gone down to 13.0V again.

Do you reckon it's the alternator not charging the battery?

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by dhyrk3

Thanks Slick, I'll check the stand alone V of the battery after this.

As I was driving back home, I continuously observed the battery reading through the cluster, initially it only showed 11.3V. As I drive ahead, level gradually drops down. after 15mins of driving and when the voltage reached 9.9V, boom DSC, ABS, Brake lights have gone off followed by the trans failsafe mode message.

I used my booster to crank the engine again. before starting, the voltage showed 13.4V, after starting and removing the booster, it remained at 13.4V. and after 3 mins of driving it has gone down to 13.0V again.

Do you reckon it's the alternator not charging the battery?

That sounds about right - alternator. Usually when there's a problem with the charging system you get an idiot light.

[SlickGT1]

Alternator isn't charging your battery. Time for a new one or a reman. I recommend new. But that is just me.

[dhyrk3]

I'll check which one is 'economical' for me lol!

Now i just remembered, this first happened after I had my car washed. It was a manual wash that time and the wash boy might have sprayed so much on the alternator?

Aha, I have one more observation. I wonder if anybody has encountered this before.
I hear a sound like to metal rubbing during 2-3 gear shift.
The atf will be flushed thismthursday as well and hopefully would get rid of the sound.

[Marine0369]

How much is an alternator?
I would advise against a trans flush in any auto trans. Just drain and fill.

Sent from my torqued out reuterbender