Xoutpost.com - The dreaded Trans Failsafe Mode (again)

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There is no doubt some learning curve.

There will be a lot of duplicates of DME and transmission modules etc so you need to learn which apply to you and remember.

For the voltage and rpm graph I picked BMW from first menu then auto sel Vin then control module then top engine module. In the engine module pic engine operating Values then live data.

From live data scroll through the long list and find rpm and battery voltage and check both and view.

It will start in text then hit the middle button will say something like 1 graph then again 2 graph.

That's all from memory so I could have missed something.

Don't get too adventurous in the section where you can reset things like the transmission until you need to. Eg set the air suspension to deliver mode etc. Some reset procedures have no cancel option when past a point of no return

+1
What Andrew said earlier I screwed up an had an X5 "Zambonni" until Andrew helped me unscrew that issue...

Sent from my SM-A730F using Tapatalk

I was actually thinking of that exact example. In my case I wanted to calibrate my air suspension but didn't know until after I started the car had to be on level ground BEFORE you start and there is no cancel/exit option!

Fortunately there is a "pull the plug" option (hold the reset button) but I wouldn't plan on that saving your bacon so only dive into the reset type options when they actually apply not just experimenting eg. transmission adaptations; meant for after an actual hardware change not because it's acting funny.

Oh, it frightens me a great deal in the little I have looked around. I wish there was a printed tree of what's where. Especially on the testing front.

Everything in the main sections is either read only or low risk tests like engage AC compressor. It will warn you if there are limits like "don't use more than once in 2 minute" etc.

Brump. How long in minutes or is it just data points does the Foxwell graph ?

I've used my Fluke Connect series modules (DC volt and clamp) when looking at charging systems. My biggest gripe is the logging only does 10 minutes - whether it be a smartphone or computer. I can see the 10 minute cap on smartphone even though memory on smartphones are like 256GB+ and it's not the 1980's. But a 10 minute cap on a computer...

Drove it with the scanner recording the voltage. It was reading 13.7 volts pretty steady, whether sitting at a stop light or driving along. Then I was sitting at a stop light, and I felt the compressor come on, looking at the scanner and saw 12.6, 12.8. The light changed, I started moving and it stayed at 12.8 for a few seconds and then it went back to 13.7.

I thought "Ah HA! That's it" and I've captured it in recording mode. I came back and went to the recording only to realize that when it's recording, it's taking snapshots. When I paged through all of them (517 data points), I could not find a single measurement in the 12's. That makes me wonder if I really saw what I thought I saw or if this happened and it wasn't long enough for the snapshot to capture it.

I have to assume that I did see what I thought I saw. If it did drop into the 12.6-12.8 range when the compressor came on, would that suggest that it is the alternator?

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f459706832.jpg

I recorded a dip down to about 13 v when coming to a stop.

Can you graph like this with your scanner. It's probably normal to get a half volt drop but not a 1v drop. I got drops to about 12v when my alternator slip rings while being worn out also got coated in oil. I replaced the rings and brushes and no problems since.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Siggy (Post 1150824)

Very sorry to post on this topic as my first post since I see it's been posted so many times but I've been through a lot of posts trying to trace this problem and I need some additional input.

2006 X5 3.0l. I'm a new owner (had it for about 6 months). The car had a lot of problems when I bought it and I've been working through them (same story as many other people, I suppose). The check engine light was on for a while and the scan said it was running lean. I felt like it needed to the Idle Control Valve cleaned or replaced and I drove it until I could find the time to work on it. The car ran smooth, no issues.

I drove it for about 150 miles the other day, no issues. Came home, went back out and when driving it the Engine Failsafe Mode light came on, followed by the DSC 4 x4 disabled and a light on the dash that said "BRAKE" came up. I immediately pulled over, turned the car off and restarted it. Everything was fine. Drove it about 5 miles and it did that again. Pulled over, restarted it, lights went off. Drove it again (trying to get home).

I will add that during this, my CD Changer now comes up with CD ERROR when I had been using it fine just prior to all of this happening.

Driving it home, it goes into Trans Failsafe Mode with no other lights on.

Runs fine, no issues with it locked in 3rd or anything, it shifts smoothly running up through the gears and doesn't appear to be any top speed locked out. No loss of power.

I check the codes and see that the Idle Air Valve is listed as stuck open at some point, so I clean that, along with the fuel bank messages I knew about. I pulled the IAV off and clean it to see if that might clear that up. I also clear the Mass Air Flow sensor with the proper MAF cleaning solution.

Put it all back together, trans failsafe mode is still there, after driving it 6-7 times (short runs), no check engine lights on. CD Player still doesn't work.

I replaced the battery about 3 months ago and when that happened, I had a gut feeling that it was the alternator, but the battery was under warranty (Bosch) and they replaced it for free even though I didn't put that battery in. Since then, I get a little whining when it's cold and I still believe it's the alternator but I can't prove it.

Right now, my gut is telling me it's the alternator, but my gut is also telling me that maybe it's the sensors detecting different wheel speeds, causing the error.

Looking for a little advice. I also put 2 new tires on the back about 1 month ago.

I'm a patient person so I'm fine with trying to diagnose it over time. I just don't want to go into full blown parts replacement mode, without feeling somewhat confident that I'm heading in the right direction. Sorry for the long first post but I didn't want to leave details out (although I might have!).

Oh, the trans fluid, when looking into the reservoir next to the oil filter is almost crystal clear. Not sure if that means anything or not but didn't want to leave that out.

Hate to tell you but that reservoir next to the oil filter is not for the trans. It's the reservoir for the power steering fluid. Get an owner manual and read it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Siggy (Post 1151385)

My scanner came today. Bought the 520 off eBay on Friday, came today, Monday, from the other coast. I don’t buy much off eBay, but $159, free shipping. The guy has sold many, so I took a chance and it looks like it worked out.

Plugged it in, ran the auto scan, saved that, then reset everything. Transmission failsafe error is gone, transmission working perfectly again. After a few miles, the check engine light returned with the same error it’s had for months, P1093. I’ll chance that down now.

I’ll also work on a graph of the alternator. If anyone can kindly direct me to the right path to get there, I would appreciate it. Looks like learning the diagnostic tree structure is going to take me some time. Not knowing what’s available or what many of the acronyms stand for, it’s a little slow navigating.

But super happy so far. Money well spent.

When I had the P1093 (error code with the gear display light on the dash) I traced it to a bad MAF. Check the MAF and see if the PO replaced it. If it is not a Siemens MAF there's your problem. Spend the money and buy a real Siemens MAF or if you can't afford a new one, go to a pick N pull and find a real Siemens MAF. You can also look at data from the MAF with your new toy. What rate of air flow is the scanner reporting (g/s)?