4x4 Warning Light on Dash ?

[X5_Rob]

Originally Posted by X5_Rob

Thanks all for the helpful feedback. I just found a Porsche/BMW repair shop near me that will read the BMW codes for $45.. I'm going to run the X up there in a moment.. I'll update with any code info they can tell me...

Just got back from the BMW indy shop... interesting twist to the story... It wasn't throwing a code for the 4x4... this guy seemed to know what he was talking about.. he saw codes for my airbag (red airbag dash light is on currently) and also saw a code for my sunroof panel (I just disengaged the 2nd smaller panel as it was stuck open)..

They said they believe the DSC system is not engaging and is the problem... When you push the DSC button to engage or disengage when the car is running nothing is happening... I didn't know to check this but they showed me... THey think that system is not functioning but since its deactivated somehow its not throwing a code... They seemed to know their "BMW" stuff at this shop (and didn't even charge me).. Anything I can do to check the DSC system?

[TerminatorX5]

Originally Posted by X5_Rob

Just got back from the BMW indy shop... interesting twist to the story... It wasn't throwing a code for the 4x4... this guy seemed to know what he was talking about.. he saw codes for my airbag (red airbag dash light is on currently) and also saw a code for my sunroof panel (I just disengaged the 2nd smaller panel as it was stuck open)..

They said they believe the DSC system is not engaging and is the problem... When you push the DSC button to engage or disengage when the car is running nothing is happening... I didn't know to check this but they showed me... THey think that system is not functioning but since its deactivated somehow its not throwing a code... They seemed to know their "BMW" stuff at this shop (and didn't even charge me).. Anything I can do to check the DSC system?

if the DSC module (ABS module) is not communicating, it could be defective, or the plug is disengaged... unless somebody was playing in the vicinity of the plug, there is no reason for the plug to be disconnected.
if the either is true, you would get so called TRIFECA (search for it) of lights and not a single light.

there are repair services on ebay that repair the ABS modules for about $200-300 with lifetime warranty, and there is no charge if they can't... check with them first...
i still don't think it is the ABS module - was your car going into limp mode? did you lose the odometer counting (numbers froze) and/or speedometer stuck at zero? those are the signs of a problem inside the ABS module...

what did he say about the airbag? was it a passenger seat mat? or a seat belt buckle? or head airbag? you did not talk about the airbag before, did it light up while you were at the shop?

sunroof panel is totally independent from the DSC/ABS or the airbag issue.

try this -find a safe place with a decline on a downhill slope, and drive down very slow and engage the Hill Descent Control (totally useless feature, as far as I am concerned, even though I used it successfully climbing down from some steep volcanoes)... If the car engages into the function, your DSC/ABS might be working.. HDC is working at very slow speeds, like 5-15 MPH...

Otherwise lets see what more knowledgable people have to say...

[X5_Rob]

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

if the DSC module (ABS module) is not communicating, it could be defective, or the plug is disengaged... unless somebody was playing in the vicinity of the plug, there is no reason for the plug to be disconnected.
if the either is true, you would get so called TRIFECA (search for it) of lights and not a single light.

there are repair services on ebay that repair the ABS modules for about $200-300 with lifetime warranty, and there is no charge if they can't... check with them first...
i still don't think it is the ABS module - was your car going into limp mode? did you lose the odometer counting (numbers froze) and/or speedometer stuck at zero? those are the signs of a problem inside the ABS module...

what did he say about the airbag? was it a passenger seat mat? or a seat belt buckle? or head airbag? you did not talk about the airbag before, did it light up while you were at the shop?

sunroof panel is totally independent from the DSC/ABS or the airbag issue.

try this -find a safe place with a decline on a downhill slope, and drive down very slow and engage the Hill Descent Control (totally useless feature, as far as I am concerned, even though I used it successfully climbing down from some steep volcanoes)... If the car engages into the function, your DSC/ABS might be working.. HDC is working at very slow speeds, like 5-15 MPH...

Otherwise lets see what more knowledgable people have to say...

Term - The airbag light has been on for around 6 months or so.. I did take it to BMW dealer and was told its the driver side door bag throwing the code.. They checked the airbag itself and determined it was good.. they told me the wiring harness within the door has an issue and they wanted to replace it at a cost of $800 or so... I declined that repair so the airbag light has been on ever since...

regarding limp mode the car has been running perfect other than the "4x4!" light has been on.. intermittently at first but now on all the time... around 2 months ago when it first came on and now around a month or so of it being on all the time... not too many hills in Florida to check out the Hill Descent function I'll hunt down a parking garage and see if I can check it out... The odometer never stopped working nor did the speedo...

Where is that ABS plug you mentioned located? I would like to check and make sure it has a solid connection and no corrosion, etc..

Thanks again,
Rob

[TerminatorX5]

check the wiring in the door around the hinges - it may have been chaffed... everytime you work on the airbags, it is a good idea to cut the power to the car - since you already have the airbag light on, it is to prevent the bag from accidentally fire off into your face... if you have done anywork on the door panel, you may have disconnected the airbag by misteke - might be worth looking into it...

remind me, what month/year is your X?

[X5_Rob]

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

check the wiring in the door around the hinges - it may have been chaffed... everytime you work on the airbags, it is a good idea to cut the power to the car - since you already have the airbag light on, it is to prevent the bag from accidentally fire off into your face... if you have done anywork on the door panel, you may have disconnected the airbag by misteke - might be worth looking into it...

remind me, what month/year is your X?

I'll take a look at the door hinge area.. It's a 2005 4.4...

[X5_Rob]

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

check the wiring in the door around the hinges - it may have been chaffed... everytime you work on the airbags, it is a good idea to cut the power to the car - since you already have the airbag light on, it is to prevent the bag from accidentally fire off into your face... if you have done anywork on the door panel, you may have disconnected the airbag by misteke - might be worth looking into it...

remind me, what month/year is your X?

I'll take a look at the door hinge area.. It's a 2005 4.4...

[Big "J"]

Hi Guys!

quick update... changed the transfer case fluid and moved the actuator gear. Still have the yellow 4x4 light on but, the red brake and yellow ABS are off.

Not sure if they're related but, now my EHC is not functioning (won't rise or lower) with the toggle switch. I'm hoping it's the wheel speed sensor(s). Would the transfer case actuator cause the ride height to not function?

i'll see what DTC's it's throwing now and report back!

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by Big "J"

Hi Guys!

quick update... changed the transfer case fluid and moved the actuator gear. Still have the yellow 4x4 light on but, the red brake and yellow ABS are off.

Not sure if they're related but, now my EHC is not functioning (won't rise or lower) with the toggle switch. I'm hoping it's the wheel speed sensor(s). Would the transfer case actuator cause the ride height to not function?

i'll see what DTC's it's throwing now and report back!

If you have the DSC light on (4x4) and the ride height buttons flash then I assume you have the Self-Level Inactive showing on the dash?

Sorry, I can't remember if you had access to a GT1 so you can do the self test. In my case it was a bad yaw sensor confirmed through diags and codes.

IIRC, others with those symptoms sometimes had to either replace the steering angle sensor or just have it recalibrated (not the reset with steering wheel being turned lock-to-lock).

Really just need to see what kind of codes you can get, preferably BMW specific codes.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by Big "J"

Hi Guys!

quick update... changed the transfer case fluid and moved the actuator gear. Still have the yellow 4x4 light on but, the red brake and yellow ABS are off.

Not sure if they're related but, now my EHC is not functioning (won't rise or lower) with the toggle switch. I'm hoping it's the wheel speed sensor(s). Would the transfer case actuator cause the ride height to not function?

i'll see what DTC's it's throwing now and report back!

If it is the wheel sensor, don't buy a cheap one on eBay or Amazon. I had to replace a wheel sensor on my X and brought a cheap one on Amazon, BIG mistake. Ended up buying an original wheel sensor. You will probably need to buy the plastic connector that is part of the main wiring harness. Over time the plastic becomes very brittle and any movement to release the connector results in cracking the plastic connector.

[Big "J"]

Hi Twins! Yeah, I'm not getting any self level inactive alarms?

I'll see what my PA soft 1.4 scanner indicates this evening and update. I cleared and reset the DTC's last weekend yet, no errors were showing for the EHC. The only thing that showed back up was the VTC (transfer case?) with "oil abrasion". I changed the fluid and it still shows as an error?

Roger that... upallnight! Same goes for ebay wishbones from China...Ugh!