4x4 light on after dead battery

[Area51]

Yesterday I woke to a dead battery in my 2005 x5 3.0.
After jumping it with a battery pack now the 4x4 light is yellow.
I checked for codes with an OBD scanner and found nothing.

Any help understanding why the 4x4 light is on is greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.

[TerminatorX5]

have you driven the car for a couple of miles? the light stayed, did not extinguish?

have you tested the battery? what was the original reason for a dead battery? the X does not like the revived batteries, for whatever reason...

[Area51]

I have not tried to drive the X since then.
Reason for dead battery is unknown.
It's in my garage right now with a 2amp charger hooked up to it.

The only thing I will say is that for the past two weeks I've only taken it out every other day for short 2-5 mile slow drives on town roads.
Perhaps it needs a good highway run?

Until now, there has been no sign of a weak battery.
As soon as I jumped it I removed the jump battery pack and the X revved fine. Which leads me to believe that the alternator is charging.

[TerminatorX5]

when you get a chance to drive it, the 4x4 light might turn off... if it doesn't, then we will look deeper...

[TwinsPoppa]

I think that's pretty common result when you disconnect power. First thing I would try is the steering angle sensor reset.

You don't need to turn the engine on but makes it easier.

1) Turn on engine.
2) While in Park, turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock.
3) Last, recenter the steering wheel.

I believe it doesn't matter whether you start turning left then right - as opposed to turn right then left.

Hopefully, that's all it is.

Good luck!

[Elvis 3.0]

I think it is the neg (-) (left side) also has a safety wire attached to it that should be secured to the terminal in a specific configuration and be very tight as not slip and fall out of that specific position {QSilver 7 will be posting soon with the battery terminal diagram hopefully with proper name of said safety wire}.

The purpose of the wire is to act as a safety in the event of an accident. It has a tiny charge like the seatbelts and will disconnect power to the car.

Should you have inadvertently manipulated this wire either out of place, or not secured it perfectly it could a) either short causing a code, or b) short cutting power c) other gremlin type errors.

I don't think it has been mentioned yet but if you are not sure when the battery has been replaced, replace it now. year 2005 would dictate that if it is original that is a likely culprit. Also, given that year even if it were replace in '09 it is probably good measure to do so. I have found unlike other vehicles the X will not show signs of a weakening battery i.e. slow or no starts with a jump or two, but will show gremlins everywhere instead.

I doubt it is the terminal connection, but wanted to post in the event that what appears to be a deadening battery issue with a 4x4 light that should go away either in a short period of time or by the clock to clock method doesn't solve. Good luck.

And... are you working with any good indy's here?

[Roadkill]

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

I think that's pretty common result when you disconnect power. First thing I would try is the steering angle sensor reset.

You don't need to turn the engine on but makes it easier.

1) Turn on engine.
2) While in Park, turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock.
3) Last, recenter the steering wheel.

I believe it doesn't matter whether you start turning left then right - as opposed to turn right then left.

Hopefully, that's all it is.

Good luck!

^ this process will fix the light.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Elvis 3.0

...{QSilver 7 will be posting soon with the battery terminal diagram hopefully with proper name of said safety wire}...

...thank you for giving my morning laugh.

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Originally Posted by Area51

...I checked for codes with an OBD scanner and found nothing.

Any help understanding why the 4x4 light is on is greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.

BTW: the OBD II (onBoard Diagnostic) code readers (for when the Service Engine Soon/Check Engine light illuminates) are for electronic emissions testing...so a dead or low battery isn't going to leave any codes in this instance since the battery is not related to electronic emissions.


Ditto what the others stated above regarding the battery. More than likely, the 4x4 warning is due to the battery's voltage being low. You wrote that you still had the battery on a 2amp charger...that's good because a long low amp charge is the best for recharging.

I'm also on board with the possibility that this could be the original battery if you don't have any service records or known memory of it every being replaced. The original BMW batteries (from Germany) can last from 4-10 years...which could mean that you're still on the original...which means this is a "sign" that it's time to replace it or be prepared to be temporarily stranded somewhere if you don't have jumper cables (those battery packs usually don't have enough juice to jump start a BMW battery whose voltage has dropped below 11.5 volts.

If you've unlocked your OBC (or know how to do it)...you can run TEST 9 (with ignition in position 1) and get the battery's voltage. At 11.8 volts...the battery is at 0% state of charge...which means it may or may not have enough reserve capicity to start the car...but small electrical stuff like the interior lights, instrument cluster, etc may be able to still illuminate.

[Area51]

Damn you guys are good!
Took the X for a drive and the light went out in about 100 meters.
Now I just need to determine why the battery went dead in the first place.

I'm new to this board and the X world so I'm sure I'll be posting more problems.
Now if I can just get rid of that damn steering wheel shake at 60mph.
Thanks again.

[Big "J"]

Welcome!

If the shaking isn't during braking then get your tires balanced.