Transfer case actuator motor issue
 

Hi there
I need some help please.


I have a BMW e53 x5 diesel - automatic.


A few moths ago i had the ABS, Warning and 4x4 light come on my dashboard.
Also i noticed that when i was driving sometmes i would get a 'jolt' which felt like it was coming from the rear of the car, almost like someone has hit you from behind type of thing.


I checked online and replaced the actuator motor gears as they always seem to get damaged.


This made no sifference at all. So i then replaced the actuator motor that i purchased from ebay.


When i checked the old actuator motor i found that the brushes were worn down and there was not contact to make the motor work.


Now, the issue that i have is that the ABS and warning lights sometimes are not illuminated and the drive seems a lot better.
The lights never come on when i am driving but always when i stop and switch off the car and then start it again, there is a good chance of the lights coming back on again.


The 4x4 light stays on all the time.... the reason for this is that i need a new steering wheel angle sensor. So i am not really worried about that at this stage.


Also, I have changed the transfer case oil a few months back with genuine BMW transfer case oil.




Error codes
I used a handheld bluetooth scanner and i got the 4f7a error code


Can anyne help me with this issue? do i need a new actuator motor or could it be something else?


Thank you for your help.

Check the transfer case connector. Gently probe the pin connections. Do any feel like they have little to no drag? It may be a contact issue.

The connector fits into the actuator very tightly. You can hear the snap as it goes in fully.

4x4 light on also from any issue with transfer case. If the light is on my understanding is the TC is disabled and you would not be getting any effects from the TC gear at all. Can you test the actuator gear operation with your scanner? Foxwell will do that.

When i am driving and the warning light and ABS are off... the 4x4 light stays on.


This light stays on because of a bad steering wheel angle sensor. Once this has been replaced then hopefully the 4x4 light will not be there.

Bad SAS should also defeat abs. Three 4x4 error is saying the x-drive is disabled. You can confirm with a hard launch on sand/gravel: no spinning of front wheels.

Will your scanner show you your steering angle live data?

Also what errors related to abs do you get when that comes on?

If ABS light comes on/off suggestsb your SAS is intermittent fault and clears some of the time.

The TC error says communication problem from what a brief search shows so i would use some deoxit gold on the connectors both sides you can try wd-40 or contact cleaner spray.

Definitely check the TCM / EGS connector in the ebox and confirm all pins and pin sockets are in place correctly.

Very recently a similar error turned out to be a pushed in pin socket in the ebox.

Hi
So, i took your advice and disconnected the TCM and sprayed contact cleaner and then after drying the connector it was reconnected.


What i am noticing the most is the intermittant problem of the waring light and ABS light coming on when it feels like. But ONLY happens when i start the car. It is like you turn the key and wait... hold you breath to see what lights you will have with you today lol




I used two code readers to read the codes on my car. The first one was a bluetooth device connected to my OBD port and read on an app installed on my phone.
These are the results...


Car Scanner ELM OBD2
DTC report
Selected brand: BMW

============1==============
4F7A
Raw code: 4F7A
ECU: 18
Status: Pending fault present, Validated and stored in non volatile memory, Validated fault present at time of request

============2==============
4501
Raw code: 4501
ECU: 12
Status: Pending fault present during this driving cycle, Validated and stored in non volatile memory, Validated fault has been present during this drive cycle

============3==============
P0401
Raw code: 0401
ECU: 12
Status: Confirmed
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system - insufficient flow detected





The second result was from a Device called LAUNCH Elite v2.0
As you can see the results were more detailed.


Inspection Result





There are 2 issues for Power system：
1.EGS: Signal From Transfer Box Is Faulty
2.VTG: 539E Transfer Case Malfunction


There are 2 issues for Safety and Security system：
1.DSC: Transfer Case: Internal
2.LWS: Slider Fault (Adjustment Operation)


There are 3 issues for Vehicle body system：
1.RLS: Optical Initialisation
2.IKE: Electronic Braking-Force Distribution
3.LCM: Rear Fog Lamp, Left, Faulty





I hope that helps?

Feels like wiring/connection did you check the TCMb connector in the ebox?

For abs when intermittent usually a failing speed sensor, SAS or internal bond wire failure.

See if you can find real-time info for the TC and for wheel speed and steering angle.


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No, i have not checked the TCMb Connector in the ebox... where is that located on the x5?




Thanks

On LHD firewall starboard side. I suspect they might mirror on RHD.

Under the plastic firewall surround.

Hi


Today i had a look at the connectors as you suggested. They were all connected firmly with no issues.


I also cleaned the actuator motor connectors using contact cleaner.


Once again, no improvements at all and i am not getting the dashboard lights constantly, previously they would not come on most of the time, now they are on all the time.


So, i think that my Transfer case motor, although it is new may need to be replaced.


Just a quick question regarding the transfer case motor. When buying from ebay would you rather buy a used motor or a new one? I know that this sounds silly but the last motor that i purchased from ebay was a new motor and that seens like it has failed on me.


Thank you

New ≠ fixed you have to follow the symptoms.

New chinesisum not any better than used working. Especially if you can rewind the miles clock.

I have checked and the symptoms point to the motor not working. The transfer case is not making any noises being idle or whilst driving.


I will be further investigating these issues before i spend money on a new motor etc.


Thanks

My scanner can abdicate the TC clutch motor.

The error says can't communicate so i think it's just deactivated you can try to clear codes with the engine off then remove the key and put the ignition on but but not start then see if cider comes back but listen for the motor.

Just to give you an update on my work on the X5.


I feel that the actuator motor that i purchased from Ebay is faulty so i may order a new one and hope that will help fix matters.


Also, today i had a look athe fault codes and these are the results:


1) 4F7a - EGS
2) 54C4 - VTG Calibration faulty. ***
3) 5F39 - ABS / DSC Actuator Motor
4) BD - Instrument Cluster..??




1) So, I have had a look at the EGS ECU and that seems okay, as in there is no corrision on the contacts, dry etc. But, i have ordered a working one just to test and remove this error code.


2) VTG Calibration.... I am not too sure about this one. I was under the impression that you can install the Actuator motor and then the transfer case does the rest.
Is there a calibration process that needs to be done on the car after installing a new Actuator motor?


3) There is a good posibility that the actuator motor may be at fault.
Now, i have removed the actuator motor and started the engine. When the engine was switched off the actuator motor gear did turn and then stop.


4) BD.... not sure what that is all about regarding the Instrument cluster??


Also, the software that i am using is DIS and INPA... i feel that they may be limited in what they can do.
Over the weekend i will install ISTA+ on my laptop... hopefully the download that i have is a working one.


I will update this thread and let you know the joys i come up against.


Fingers crossed and pray to all the BMW X5 gods that i can fix my car...lol !

Some TC have a special calibration resistor needs to be the right one


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Yes you are right. The TC Actuator motor is paired with that resistor. In my case the TC Actuator motor already came with the correct resistor.


We are talking about the same resistor that is screwed on to the TC Actuator motor?


Thanks

Yeah that's the one. I think it's to calibrate the TC to the car so I don't know the magic of what makes that golden.

I think [mention]EODguy [/mention] went though that


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Thank you... i will speak to EODguy too.


:iagree:

BD = brake-force distrubution - this is possibly a "phantom" error and many (most) e53s have this error. You can ignore it.

ITSA+ is different from INPA and DIS (newer) but won't offer any much in the way of additional "tools". Some find it it easier to use though.

I might as well as use DIS or INPA then.... just need to find how to claibrate the TC actuator motor now..


Thank you