DSC/4X4 Lamps Lit Up,Warning Signal Goin' off and No Start....Help?

[Ken]

Title tells it all..........unfortunately. I tried a search and either I'm inputting the wrong info or my issues are not all that common.

My wife's '06 4.4 X5 had the above lights lit up on her short drive home from work. We took a look at it when she got home and when she tried to start it, the warning signal sounded, lights blinked and the X5 didn't even want to turn over.

I'm sure that the battery is about toast and will switch that out today. The alternator has also been making the chirping noises as of late, especially when just starting up. I suppose with 66k miles and being 6 years old, both the battery and alternator need replacing.

My main problem now is that I can't start the X5 to take it anywhere (which will be 100 miles min. for repair) if the new battery/alternator doesn't fix the problem. I have a power station and will plug it into the cig. lighter before changing the battery.....I'm thinking that it might save my settings, but have no idea really if that will work. I've just seen it before on other vehicles with the desired results. These BMW's seem to be unique in certain ways, mostly good, but some quite aggravating.

I don't know if turning the wheel from one side to the other might not work as has been suggested for other members when their DSC/4x4 lights came on, but will try that as well.

Any thoughts on what I can do to get back on the road again, understanding that a trip to the dealer is likely the end result even if I get it running due to re-settings things properly and all.

Thank you very much in advance and if you have any suggestions for which battery (type, amps, etc.) and alternator that I might purchase, your suggestions would be very much appreciated. No dealer in town, it's Sunday and not much is open, I don't know how hard batteries or alternators are to switch out in the X5, but I'll give it a go if I can find the desired parts and go from there.

Thank you again.

[jlam86]

It's the low voltage on the battery. When the battery goes weak, you get all these messed up symptoms. Change the battery and I think you should be good

If the light for traction control and 4x4 inactive is still on after, start up the car, turn the steering wheel all the way to the left, then back to the right and it should reactivate it.

Goodluck!

[Ken]

jlam86,

Yep.........battery. Interesting and satisfying little project. There is nothing in my town that is open today, much less that has any selection of batteries that would replace the original, so I traveled 30 miles south to an Auto-Zone and picked up a Duralast Gold H8-DLG for $125. Thanks to another member that mentioned this battery in the "Battery A-List" thread. It has a 3 year full replacement and 8 year partial......supposedly. Fit perfectly and the best part, so far, no resetting codes or bells and whistles showed up or went off......thank God!!

Not exactly the battery I wanted, but then again, it beats the dead one hands down. Like many products, I expect that just a handful of companies make the majority of batteries, but I might be mistaken. No matter, it's in, it starts and no lights or symbols are callin' out for attention.

Sooooo, since I've been hearing that "chirping" music every mornin' when my wife starts her X5, I'm thinkin' that the alternator needs to be tested. My wife says as the day goes on, the chirping ceases to either be as loud or as steady. Sometimes, she doesn't even notice it after the morning start up. I'm not totally inxperienced with that very annoying sound and when I've heard it in past decades, it was either a bad/worn belt or the brushes in the alternator were goin' out. With a new battery just installed, I'm not willing to leave the chring unchecked any longer. It could cost me a new battery.

Any thoughts on my mechanical/musical concerns....?

Thanks again for the help.............I appreciate the time and effort to do so.

[jlam86]

Measure the voltage with the car off across ye battery. Should say 12.xV. Then start up the car and place a voltmeter across the battery terminals again. If you see 14.4ish, the alternator is doing it's job

[Ken]

THanks guys!!

It was the battery only. The alternator tested out OK.

Thanks for your help!