And so it begins.. trans failsafe

[spongerich]

I've had my 04 4.4i for a total of 4 days and I've got the dreaded Trans Failsafe error now.

I was headed home from a short drive and when I stopped at a light, the dash lit up with ABS BRAKE and 4x4 lights. Like a moron, rather than drive the 4 blocks to home, I decided I'd restart it and see if they cleared.

Shut her down and she wouldn't start again. Just click-click-click.

I let her sit for a couple minutes and was able to get her restarted again.
Now the trans failsafe is still on.

I'm hoping it's just a bad battery - car was sitting at the dealer for about 6 weeks before I bought it and it was 20 degrees this afternoon.

Since I've got a warranty, I'd like to take it back where I purchased it... is it a REALLY BAD IDEA to drive 20 miles in failsafe mode?

If it's just the battery and I replace it, will the error go away (assuming there's nothing else wrong) or does it need to be cleared with one of the diagnostic/coding programs?

TIA

[TiAgX5]

Sounds like low voltage caused the Trans Error. Swap battery and check alternator output, if over 13.5 volts, have an auto parts store clear error code.

[upallnight]

Once you install a new battery (assuming it's a bad battery) the error should go away. In some states auto parts stores are not permitted to clear trouble codes. Even if they are, most auto part stores may not have a code reader that will clear BMW EGS codes.

[4.8isX5]

I got this error after click click click thing and car wouldnt start other day. Had to get jumped but its working now, although starts feel weak esp first of day. Batt on its way out.

[spongerich]

Thanks all.

I put the battery on my charger for a couple hours and the error is gone.

Now I'm torn between just spending the $150 and getting a battery at the Advance Auto that's a block from here, or spending half the day at the dealer fighting with them to get them to replace it.

[pezho405]

It was the alternator for me

[Whitecat]

It's a 2004, Assuming original batterie ...10years old!! - change the batterie asap.

[upallnight]

It's a 10 year old car, kinda doubt a dealer will give you a new battery. Most car that old are sold AS-IS. Just buy the new battery at Autozone.

[David.X5]

Go to Sears or Advance Auto or ____! Not a big fan of the dealer run-around, but I bought one that was long out of warranty knowing I would fix it "by self" as my little one likes to say :-)

P.S. Which reminds my of one of my better stories - my neighbor called me from our local dealer a few weeks ago asking if $1000 for a battery was appropriate (they told him the battery wasn't covered under his extended warranty). They wanted $500 for the battery and then told him it was standard practice for them to replace the battery cables every time they change the battery! $300 plus labor of course for the cables...

[spongerich]

According to Carfax, battery was changed in '09 - Still pretty old.

I bought the car from a Lexus dealer with a 90 day bumper to bumper warranty.
I'm fairly sure they'll replace the battery if I go down there and whine enough. I'm just not sure it's worth spending half the day down there. Advance has 3 batteries from $130-$170 and they're literally a block from here.

The only reason I'm tempted to go to the dealer is to have them check the alternator and charging system. I need to go down there in a couple weeks when my plates come, so I suppose I can put the battery in now and have them check it then.