New to me 4.4L
 

Hey everyone! Just thought I'd introduce my new to me 2002 X5 with the 4.4 engine. I stumbled across it in the dark corner of Craigslist where pictures and details are non-existent. Well, turns out, after several flaked appointments to see the car that it was a solid car and in pretty decent condition. It only has 130K which is pretty good for its age, I also got it for a steal of a price so very happy with that.

Anyways, I have a few problems that i'd like to address... The main purpose of the car is to be a spare, back-up, emergency, hauler, 4x4er, bad weather, long trip car and not intended for daily driving. So here are some of my concerns that i'd like to address:

1) There is a tamper dot on the cluster... now hold up, I know what you are thinking... but I am confident there was no malice behind this, ie; carfax and title show correct mileage. The car also has the ABS light and DSC Triangle light lit up permanently. I found some receipts in the car that show a diagnosis of failed speed sensors. ABS codes 30, 31, 32. My plan is to clean all of the speed sensors and if that fails, replace them. The car has brand new rotors and pads, and in the past I have seen that shavings from rotors have caused the fragments to stick to the sensors causing the light.

2) When I got the car all the windows worked... except the passenger door. No power at all, no locks, no window movement from either switch. I replaced the fuse in the glove box, and voila! The window works... but ONLY from the passenger switch. So what are we looking at here? Faulty master switch and a bad door lock actuator? I've also noted that I have to hold the button for the window to move, it will not roll up or down by itself with one click.

I will check the door loom wiring in the passenger door and also the master switch, these seem to have common faults and wiring coming loose.

3) There is a strange rattle/knocking noise coming from the trunk area, sounds like its coming from the taillight hatch area. I've done some research on this and it appears that this is a very common issue being either the rear seat or the bump stops on the hatch. I have so far ruled out it being the seat and will report back if the bump stops resolve the issue.

UPDATE: Rattle solved by adjusting the lift gate bump stops.

All in all, I have so far replaced the battery in the remote and got the key to work, and polished up the headlights since they were very badly oxidized. I've ordered a new chain tensioner and will have that installed over the weekend. Had some spare LED bulbs laying around so I now have LED license plate lights. Surprised to say that there is not a single leak, no coolant, power steering, oil leakage, or even cluster warnings. So far so good!

Here's a quick pic:
(Black interior)

https://s1.postimg.org/erz4ocdtr/IMG_5091.jpg

If anyone has any ideas on my woes, more particularly the electrical gremlins, i'd appreciate your input. Thanks a lot!

Good day!!

I noticed that you made an error in purchasing this vehicle as it does not have the sports package... I will make the sacrifice and take this off your hands and dispose of it properly... It is a long drive for me, but I'm that dedicated in making sure all non-sport models are put to rest properly...

Okay, seriously... It is a very clean looking X5!! I would not be upset at all to have this as my daily driver!!

It seems like you are on the right track for repairs... However, IMHO I would not just do the chain tensioner... I would pull the cover and do the rails too... They have better rails than the ones installed in 2002... The reversing rail is the one that wore down to the aluminium on me... I had two perfectly cut lines from the chain... Most others had the chain slip off the front of the rail and hit the cover...

Also check the front drive shaft splines in the transfer case... Pull, clean and grease the splines... Don't for get to put the dust cover back on... Mine was missing and is the reason I got the X5 so cheap...

I see you don't have many posts yet... You seem to know your way around the BMW... The search function here is a plethora of info!! It is also good to put your vehicles in the signature box so we can help out if that info is not included...

Welcome and enjoy!!

Cheers!!

Hey, thanks for the WARM welcome, by doing the rails do you mean timing chain guides? If so, that's a little more of a job than I wanna tackle for a car I just bought. She runs smooth enough for now that I'm not too worried about that area of the car. I also own a 2001 540/6 with 167k on stock guides and clutch and also a 2003 330ci with around 160k as well. I'm quite familiar with both platforms of the m54 and m62 but a real novice where it comes to AWD systems and SUVs in general. I'll look up your other recommendations and hope to learn more from you folks. Thanks for your time!

Oh and the whole sport model was the plan from the beginning, initially we were looking for a 4.6is but this was much too good of a deal to pass up and like mentioned, even though the wife loves driving it, it's not intended to be a daily.

Good day!!

No problem!! Yep, the chain guides... I too have a 2001 540i/6... My so decided he wanted the 330i... I almost purchased a 2000 330iCic, but it was... Just not new enough...

I actually like the 6 speed and V8 so much more than the auto, I converted my X5 into a RWD 6 speed manual... I love it!!!

It is odd you mention the 4.6is... I got mine for $3000 and a new front drive shaft... I can not seem to get it back from the better half... Go figure...

Cheers!!

E53 with no leaks? That's absolutely not possible, you should double check it, maybe it's completely out of fluids :D
Joke, lucky you :thumbup: :)

LOL, i check it almost every day. Power steering level, coolant, oil, brake fluid (not everyday).

identical to my 2nd X

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

Eh, it's possible after a good rebuild. My X5 4.6is has 215k miles and doesn't leak a single drop of anything. I did the whole chain guide job and replaced every single gasket, replaced the transfer case with a freshly re-sealed one (new transfer case chain too), and the automatic transmission was rebuilt shortly before I bought the X5. The only X5's that leak are the neglected ones ;)

My 2004 Range Rover didn't leak a single drop after I was done with it, and they're notoriously leaky.

By the way, congrats on the X5, Ruski! My first suggestion would be some better wheels, those stock non-sport wheels really give it that soccer mom look. Good thing you found a black interior though, the gray and tan don't age well at all.

Regarding your ABS issues, I'd certainly start by inspecting the speed sensors. If that doesn't yield anything, connect INPA or some other professional-grade scan tool to see if you can get a more specific readout on what's gone wrong.

Yep, so did I. I've also done timing chain job, replaced all the gaskets and it was fine for half a year until suddenly valve cover started leaking :) My X5 for sure is not neglected but I should call her Ms. Leaky :D I've already experienced all kind of leaks, including engine oil, coolant, tranny, brake lines and even fuel tank :rofl:
At the moment it's fine :)