transmission/car wash?

[g300d]

I have my car on a lift and have at it with a power sprayer every so often. No problems with the transmision so far.

[racingbmwm3]

We have a clicking sound 20-25mph under light throttle. Goes away when slowing down or harder acceleration. I'm hoping it will go away when I replace the center bearing and guibos this spring.

[srmmmm]

I had a similar experience after an undercarriage wash, but the clicking was the warning mechanism in the transmission shift lever. After the vehicle dried out that afternoon, the noise was gone. Two weeks later the transmission went into fail-safe mode after a rainstorm. I convinced the service tech to check the wire harness connector to the transmission - bingo! It was filthy, with several sockets filled with grime and dirt. A thorough flushing and pin polishing corrected the issue and the connector was loaded with dielectric grease for reassembly.

2002 X5 3.0 249,068 miles
2004 325i 110,000 miles

[bcredliner]

The following may help: 2005 BMW X5 TRANSFER CASE ACTUATOR - YouTube

I have used the same carwash since my X was new. They use brushes and 'power wash' the under carriage. There are absolutely no marks on the paint. I use Zaino products.

[BMWX5CHI]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Just my opinion, but as long as you have a good coat of sealant on the paint, if you're able to run it through a self service wash with the pressure guns and just give it a damn good rinse every few weeks in the winter is arguably better than going to the auto wash on the couple nice days in the weekends of winter, where every Tom Dick and Harry is bringing their grimy ass filthy rides in, and the same brushes are touching your car next.

Gives me a heart attack just thinking of it. Unless these places clean their brushes off after every car that goes through (doubtful), you may not see it that day after the car wash (because they usually use a wax product which will hide new scratches) but come springtime when you do your normal washing, sure enough there will be more marring on the surface than there was in the fall.

Sorry for the rant, just a slight pet peeve of mine as an auto wash to me is like taking a shortcut in winter IMO.

Agree 100%. I have never took my X to an auto wash. I have an extra hose i use for the winter stored in the house. Connect it to the washing machine sink , luke warm water and i connect it to my pressure washer. Just gave my X a nice hand wash and made sure i got the under carriage really good. Took a few hours but well worth it. Nothing like a hand wash.

[electricalserv x5]

I think what is happen the wiring harness for the transfer case is shorting out with the water being sprayed on it. It clears it self in about a minute .