DSC Light-X3 permanently illuminated
 

Cliff Notes:
1.) If the 4x4/DSC is illuminated perpetually, do i still have AWD/x-Drive or is it now RWD only?

2.) Any more thoughts on what is causing 4x4/DSC light to stay illuminated?

3.) Where is the X3 speed/rotation sensor located? RealOEM.com BMW E83 X3 3.0i Hydro unit DXC/fastening/sensors as you can see it costs $556 USD.


Alright all,

I have done searches on the DSC Light staying illuminated and possible root causes with the two most popular being:

Rear ABS/Speed Sensor-X5
Rotation Speed Sensor-X3

First time it came on, it reset itself. Now it is permanent and have done the "lock to lock" reset (yet haven't disconnected the battery since i think it is more than a simple "re-boot").

The info on the X5 is more voluminous than the X3 so i wanted to post.

I wanted to inquire with the group (i hope Weasal weighs in) whether i still have AWD functioning yet the DSC/ABS may be malfunctioning or if i am fully RWD now. It is snowing up in Cleveland so i could easily launch the sucker on a snow covered road and see how the SAV reacts from a traction perspective, but haven't yet.

A couple of months ago i was having some part throttle hesitation and was thinking it was valvetrain related, and really never figured it out until i found that all my tires were at about 20PSI (since it got cold), once i re-inflated the tires, the hesitation was gone, which would say the problem was more x-drive/drivetrain related than valvetrane.

I now wonder if the drivetrain issue (which was evident for about two months) could have damaged the speed/rotation sensor on the X3 and is causing my fault? I ONLY have the 4x4 light on the dash (no ABS, SES, etc.) and was contemplating taking it to BMW to have them check it out, just don't feel like dropping $1K before the holidays. Is the speed/rotation sensor on the rear passenger side of the SAV mounted near the pumpkin/rear diff, attached two pics of what i think is the sensor?

Thanks a lot for your thoughts...

-Jon

Treat the DSC light as if it were a check engine light... there is a big list of shit that can turn the light on and it would be unwise to guess on the cause and spend money changing parts without having it diagnosed first as it could be a number of things.

:iagree:. There are a lot of things that can cause the xDrive and/or DSC to fail, in which case the vehicle is only rear-wheel drive. Best to get it properly diagnosed before replacing parts.

thanks guys, you all sound like my wife...but it is the right advice.

As an aside, i still have AWD even with the light on.

Yes, you will still have AWD, as it is mechanical in nature. An electrical failure doesn't eliminate the driveshaft to the front axle. What an electrical failure does do is compromise the DSC system, meaning you won't have the same degree of control and stability in poor conditions.

Get it to a dealer, get the codes read, and then you will know exactly which sensor or module isn't functioning.