V8 4.4i Weird Tranmission Problem - Failsafe and Noise

[thetechguy]

I have read lots of other transmission problems on the forum but think mine is a bit different.

I have a 2002 E53 Auto 4.4i X5.

I was driving through the city when all of a sudden the failsafe came on and I only have 3rd or 4th gear.

Tacho + Speedo died, ABS + DSC lights came on.

Got home, left the car and tried to restart 4 hours later and works fine.

When the transmission is cold I can drive for 3 - 5 mins maybe, but as soon as it warms up the failsafe kicks in and if I put the transmission in drive or reverse while holding the brake it make a loud whining noise, similar to a power steering pump.

I have never had any slip, the car did have a slight kick in down gearing from 2nd to 1st.


I did scan the car with a launch scanner and got terminal 30 error, and CAN messages.

I am thinking that maybe the oil is full of crap and putting strain on the transmission's pump and that could be causing the failsafe.

A mechanic friend of mine suggested the clutches could be worn and the debris is in the oil and blocking the pump but if they were worn wouldn't the transmission slip?