Possible Speed Sensor failure but need advice
 

I was on the highway yesterday doing highway speeds, I stepped on the gas to pass a car and I heard a thump. My 4.6is kicked into safe mode and I kept going but babied it all way home. The transmission light is on now and it's in safe mode, even hours after having it parked. Could it be the speed sensors and where would I find them?
The transmission is only 2yrs old with maybe 20,000kms on it and this is the first time this has happened. I"m going to run it for codes and see if anything pops up.

What to do...

Is the software something you can download or is it something I'd have to go to a shop to get checked?

Start with a generic OBDII tool.

Smart phone/tablet Apps are very good and cheap.

Get an OBDII smart phone/tablet App and interface, typically $30 or less. These Apps are usually best for driveability issues and they support Emission Readiness Monitor Status, Freeze Frame and Live/Realtime data. They are also great for Logging data for review after the car has been driven and can really help find unusual problems. Logging is very helpful for the less technical to pass date on for more advanced users to offer comments.

Android - OBDFusion formerly known as Touch Scan for approximately $5.00 and ELM327 OBDII to Bluetooth interface.

iProduct - OBD Fusion for $9.99 and ELM327 OBDII to Wifi interface.

Some people prefer to have an extension cable to keep the interface away from their feet.

Something like these cables are often of interested:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A13I33IUTGJ9BK

http://www.amazon.com/OBDII-Extensio...Q9HPSGWZ2SB34Q

I usually suggest getting the OBDII interfaces from Amazon if you are located in the US/North America or in your specific Region/Country. Make sure you choose an interface that indicates that the order will be "Fulfilled by Amazon" otherwise you may be waiting for WEEKS for an interface to arrive from Asia. Ebay is another option, but pay attention where the interface will be shipped from, again weeks for an interface from Asia, so if you can wait and want to try to save some money, go for it, but if you need an interface soon, choose wisely.

You could also consider Carly for BMW to run on a phone or tablet. Carly for the E53 likely requires USB rather than Bluetooth. Check the Carly site for more specific info. If you are interested in Carly, see the discount code for interfaces below.

You can use this discount code for the Carly Interface/Adapter.

Discount code can be added in the cart at check out for the Adapter/Interface at the ivini-tech site - E8FAKM

For users ordering an interface through Amazon UK or US, please contact Carly/ivini-tech before their adapter purchase via [email protected]. They will then receive a voucher code for Amazon directly from Carly/ivini-tech. Provide the above discount code in your email message to Support so they understand what you are requesting.

Visit the Carly web site at www.mycarly.com

The shop Website for voucher code: www.ivini-tech.de/en/

Android interfaces - Android BMW REMINDER - E46, E39, E38 etc REQUIRE USB cable option.

Apple interface - iOS BMW

Great info!! Thanks. I"m not sure if you're familiar with BMW Datalogger but I had to purchase the software to datalog my E36 M3 for tuning and it seems pretty user friendly/simple to run/save and email out. I have the cable also for the under the hood plug and the OBD2 plug, i think it's called. I am not a whiz at this stuff at all so excuse the ignorance. lol
Any help on this kind of stuff is much appreciated though.

The Thump is the part to be concerned about. If a wheel sensor is off or the ABS unit is failing then when it throws the transmission into Failsafe mode normally its just a quite occurrence vs a thump. In any case get the codes read first and see where that leads.

I'll look into the software right away. I want to keep this vehicle and I definitely want to know what error codes it's throwing so thanks a lot guys. The transmission is only 2yrs old with only about 20,000kms on it so it can't be the transmission or at least it better not be.

Is the transmission 2 years old as a rebuilt unit from a transmission shop or a rebuilt from BMWs ZF rebuild. If its the BMW rebuilt trans then perhaps you might be able to get it handled under the warranty for their parts.

It came directly from ZF in New York. I'm going to get it coded or purchase that coding software and check it out. It was so weird today. I drove to the story, it was doing it. I drove away from the store, it was back to normal. I stopped at a stop sign and took off again, it was doing it again. I don't get it.