My Trans. Failsafe story

[northfork]

Bought the 05 X5 4.4 in Oct. of 2011 with 123xxx one owner miles
Currently 132,000 miles

Late March:
My story begins with a 100 miles drive and a car wash. On this trip I used the manual shift for the 1st time. Less than 30 min. after car wash I receive the 1st jolt….In this order Stereo shut off (reset)/4x4 light ABS & Brake light came on/loud clunk and front brakes grab and grind. Trans. Failsafe pops up. I park it for a min. and then started it back up and of course the lights were off just like everyone else who has experienced this error. Thought I was out of trouble but just as I started home the error returned. Got a hotel room decided to head home the next morning and did so with out an error.

So over the next month or two the error has come back more frequently. It can handle a short commute of 2 or 3 miles without the error but anything over that it will show up.

What I know:
Got the error codes from a local repair shop:

Flipped the Actuator:
Big Thanks to SlickGT1 and his DIY info on the Actuator flip and his advice on this problem.

Also noticed that the coolant reservoir had split and was leaking…replaced reservoir.

Replaced battery (lots of people saying start with the battery)

I hook it up to my Actron scanner that can graph live data of the voltage. Just as the error hit the graph went up over 17.5 volts.

Had Advance check battery and alternator and both check out good:

All of this did not stop the error from coming back and with help from my Brother-in-law we started pulling fuses to try and isolate the problem.

Pulled all the fuses in the back and error returned:

Pulled 12 ABS, 51 ASC, 55 DSC & 63 the error returned but with these fuses pulled, I did not receive the brake lock/grind. You can feel a slight hesitation but that was all. Pulled radio and navigation still the error returned.

Once the error occurs I can put the car in park and reproduce the error by revving the rpms up to 2 or 3 thousand. You can see the voltage shoot up to 17.+ every time I step on the gas. At idle the voltage is normal and no error.
you can see the video here >xIMG 0492xx - YouTube

[northfork]

forgot the codes:

29DD Bad Way Detection
5F3A Transfer Case Internal
20346 (4F7A) Undocumented Code
5DD0 Control Unit (Voltage Too High)

[SlickGT1]

Holy shit. Not only does it hit 17v, but it keeps hitting it. Dude, Advance clearly does not know what the fcuck they are doing. You either have a voltage regulator problem, or an alternator problem, as it seems you already replaced the battery.

[m5james]

I'm sorry, but what is "flipped the actuator" mean? I've still been having this issue come and go and I'm on my last string w/ it. I've got a BMW laptop so that I can run codes, but I've truly got no clue how to use it to it's fullest potential. At this point I'd like to advice from someone who's actually been fully BMW trained.

On an unrelated note, on my last soaking wet highway 8hr roadtrip, not only am I getting TFS error messages, but now the SLS code is coming up and the back end of the truck insists on raising itself fully. I've been able to use the laptop to lower it down all the way, erase and existing and pending codes, but once I cycle the engine or start driving and take a corner, it's right back again. Searching for a replacement SLS sensor has gotten me a few hits, but I'd like to know if there is a simpler fix beforehand, ie similar to the ABS wheel speed sensor cleaning to fix random issues.

[SlickGT1]

He flipped the transfer case actuator gear. The shitty plastic gear in the actuator wears out with the worm screw. I got the trifecta of lights on my dash when this happened. ABS, DSC, and Red Brake light. Search for my name and transfer case, I wrote up instructions on how to flip the gear. A google search for it will net you lots of instructions from other as well.

As far as your car wanting to raise like crazy, I would check those leveling sensors on the control arms. One might be out of whack (bent out of position maybe) and thinks that your car is slammed, so then it tries to correct and raises the thing up.

[northfork]

Originally Posted by m5james

I'm sorry, but what is "flipped the actuator" mean? I've still been having this issue come and go and I'm on my last string w/ it. I've got a BMW laptop so that I can run codes, but I've truly got no clue how to use it to it's fullest potential. At this point I'd like to advice from someone who's actually been fully BMW trained.

On an unrelated note, on my last soaking wet highway 8hr roadtrip, not only am I getting TFS error messages, but now the SLS code is coming up and the back end of the truck insists on raising itself fully. I've been able to use the laptop to lower it down all the way, erase and existing and pending codes, but once I cycle the engine or start driving and take a corner, it's right back again. Searching for a replacement SLS sensor has gotten me a few hits, but I'd like to know if there is a simpler fix beforehand, ie similar to the ABS wheel speed sensor cleaning to fix random issues.

M5,

I wish I could help you with the BMW laptop (hell I wish I had one) but I can tell you that the actuator flip is not that hard a job. Just follow the directions by SlickGT1 found here http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ke-lights.html

But that was not the cause of my problem even thou the gear did show a great deal of wear. I just heard back from the local alternator repair shop and he said that my voltage regulator was bad and that the repair would be $65.00 and ready by Thursday. So once I get the alternator back on (and it was a bitch to remove) I will give you an update.

[SlickGT1]

If that's the original alternator, on an 8 year old car, with 135k, not a bad deal. Let us know if it works out. Power sensitive car.

P.S. Please put you car info in your signature. It makes it easier for people to help you when they can identify your car on the fly.

[m5james]

Originally Posted by northfork

M5,

I wish I could help you with the BMW laptop (hell I wish I had one) but I can tell you that the actuator flip is not that hard a job. Just follow the directions by SlickGT1 found here http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ke-lights.html

But that was not the cause of my problem even thou the gear did show a great deal of wear. I just heard back from the local alternator repair shop and he said that my voltage regulator was bad and that the repair would be $65.00 and ready by Thursday. So once I get the alternator back on (and it was a bitch to remove) I will give you an update.

I don't have an issue with lights like you do, I've just got this annoying TFS error every time it rains....in Seattle...which never stops raining.

[m5james]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

As far as your car wanting to raise like crazy, I would check those leveling sensors on the control arms. One might be out of whack (bent out of position maybe) and thinks that your car is slammed, so then it tries to correct and raises the thing up.

I'm doing the front brakes this weekend, so I'll be checking the sensors...hopefully it's a simple fix.

[SlickGT1]

James I'll try to call you around 7 pm ish eastern time. You pm box is full by the way.

Right now I am thinking compressor relay. I think there should be one by the compressor as well as the rear fuse block. I'll try to call you.