Ground strap locations on '06 with 4.4 engine?
 

My X5 has had some weird behavior while driving over the last few months:

"D" in drive selector in center display flashed/came on
4x4 icon in center display came on
triple death lights (traction control/brake...)
then Trans Failsafe Prog

The engine didn't stop, but after pulling over and turning off - then trying to restart, the battery was super weak. One time, it started right up.

I got a new battery. Have had this happen twice more.

Thinking the alternator might be the issue but want to check my ground straps first. Can someone tell me, or show me a picture, of where they are? I ain't finding em' online.

Thank you,

Jay

Same exact problem and symptoms last year….turned out to be the DSC module. Other likely contenders can be a wheel speed sensor failure or, as you pointed out, an alternator.

The primary ground under the hood is down by the ac compressor, on the right side of the motor. It’s below the secondary air pump, if you guys have that over there. I’d check that one first, and after that I’d pull the trunk apart as there a several back there.

Thank you!!!!

You can test ground straps without knowing where they are. Turn on as much ridic electric load as you can and meausue the voltage from the B- jump point on the fender to the engine block. It should be very low in the dozens of mV at most.

1)engine starting and charging ground: right side front chassis rail (under - access through right wheel well) and AC compressor bolt.
2)controls ground: on firewall next to e-box
3) battery ground strap: trace to body screw point.

https://i.ibb.co/BV7YPyL4/Screenshot...2-Facebook.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/pBq5tyQh/20260128-220828.jpg

Picture one is the strap between the engine and the chassis.
I guess the A/C compressor is used for the engine.

Picture two is two sets of ground wires, but I haven't figured out where they go yet. I'm replacing full body harness from 4.8 X5 into 3.0 2002 X5 chassis.