DSC/4X4 Disabled with codes
 

Any experts out there? Light comes on randomly with or without slipping the wheels. Sometimes after 30 seconds, sometimes its OK on a 3 hr drive. I would think its the common actuator gear stripping but I believe that would disengage 4wd. When my lights come on it feels like the 4wd is fully engaged similar leaving hubs locked on a truck. It doesn't like tight parking lot turns, almost skips the front wheels on pavement. In addition I don't have the odd noise at shutdown. I haven't pulled the gear to check but will be doing so shortly.

The codes i have are 5F3A (clutch open), 55C9 unsure but 4wd related, 5 & 9 steering angle sensor.

Alt voltage seems fine.

X5 is 2005 6-speed with 104K.

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

LCI 6MT, you are a rare beast sir.

Any shops by you with an Autologic to troubleshoot?

I have been chasing down an intermittent trifecta on my 5MT 2003 as well, just got the module rebuilt preventatively and got it again today. No wheel sensor errors, only showing a random brake switch code and a brief power interruption code.

Thanks, i had to travel far to find one!

I spoke to someone else who had the 4wd steering feel and it turned out to be his actuator. I thought when the gear failed it would leave it in 2wd but apparently they can fail leaving the car in 4wd. I will report back after pulling off the actuator. My next step might have to be the autologic.....

My first trifecta was actuator gear related. The tell-tale was the pronounced 'clicking' on shut-down. I'm having that again [occasionally] and will have to replace rather than just turn the gear. That said, I'm also having intermittent 4wd light alone or trifectas and am replacing the alternator to fix a bad diode. I'll see what remains after the alt fix and replacing the actuator gear. Next step will be an autologic test, I'm thinking its a wheel sensor at one of the corners, but one thing at a time .....

I ran test 9 yesterday on my OBC and my battery voltage is rock solid when running, never dips below 13.4 volts with the AC on.

My testing is showing my intermittent trifecta is perhaps the DSC pressure sensor or brake light switch (probably the first), I have to run a test plan on DIS to be sure

I love the vehicle, but these x-drive electronics are a PITA .....

Swapped my gear 180 degrees last night, it was a little warn but not sure it was totally gone. Will report back after a week or so

So far so good. I am hoping the gear was the issue. My lights have not returned. I am still surprised that the code seemed to enable 4wd. Perhaps I was thinking of it backwards. Seems the default is 4wd and the little gear dis-engauges the transfer case running the X5 in 2wd when it doesn't sense slipping.