ABS/4x4/DSC lights after CV axle popped off
 

I had just replaced the rear ball joints and likely overextended the suspension causing one of the CV axles to just come unlocked. 3 weeks later my wife is driving it, 800 miles from home, and that CV axle came out enough to cause the vehicle to quit moving, and throw a trans fail safe error code. While sitting on the side of the road, I had my wife try a couple things like a transmission reset procedure, and trying to drive it in manual mode. No luck, but when she tried moving it, she got all 3 of the lights on the dash, ABS/4X4, and DSC. We had it towed to a very good European auto repair shop in Coos Bay Oregon, and they popped the CV axle back in, and test drove it, returned to the shop, cleared the codes, drove it again, and gave it back to my wife. Not 2 miles later, the 3 lights came back on. Any idea why this would happen? My only thought is that the motor on the transfer case spun the gear to the side of the gear that I had previously, a few years ago, flipped over to clear the same 3 lights. I also wonder if the lights may clear themselves eventually.

2006 E53, 4.4i

ABS/4x4/DSC lights after CV axle popped off
 

You need to read the codes but my bet is WSS got damaged from the CV coming out event.

I damaged one from leaving installed while using slide hammer to remove the rear hub.

It wasn't completely destroyed I could clear codes and drive a while before it would error.

Replaced sensor with a knock off model and all was well with the world.

Hopefully it's simple, not damage to TC or transmission from too fast no load operation.

Definitively check into the TC actuator gear but that usually has the teletale noise at key off

I'll check the sensor stream with the scanner when she gets back home. It's weird that the lights came on when she tried moving it on the side of the road. I'd think the sensor damage would have occurred during my work on the ball joints or when they popped the axle in the 1/2 inch that it was out.

ABS/4x4/DSC lights after CV axle popped off
 

When I broke wife's sensor the symptom showed up a week later.

That is great information! Thank you!

If the lights weren't on when she left the shop I would call the shop and ask if they saw anything when they were working on it that might be causing the the warning lights.

If your X5 has the air suspension links, it is possible to have the link arm(s) turn over when it is lowered to the ground. The lights will come on after you have driven it a short distance.

I'll be able to look at the car in a couple of days when she gets back.

OK, so I went through the codes, and watched the streaming data while driving and the code that keeps coming up is for the transfer case. I am guessing that the transfer case gear, the little plastic one, spun around back to the bad side. I had flipped it over a couple years ago because of the dreaded 3 lights. Does anyone know how the gear should be positioned in there? All of the wheel sensor data streams correctly, all other sensors are working perfectly.

If you have the plastic gear you can find for $10. Replace it vs. try to get more life from the flip. I think when they say flip they aren't saying rotate 180° to get fresh teeth I think they are staying flip on its axis to use the other entire side of the gear hoping that the pinion only mostly grabs the near or far side.

Good call. I'm pretty sure I rotated mine 180°. I will order a new gear and just put that one in. Thanks for the suggestion.