2000 X5 4.4i Auto Trans Fail message
 

Ok I know I am not the first person to bring this up, but I am getting this message and I want to know where everyone stands on this.

The person I bought the X5 from told me about the message and if I ever got it to just remove the console clip around the shifter and then spray some compressed air in towards the bottom of the shifter. He said the best solution he came up with was that there is a sensor or micro chip back there that can get dust on it and make it go wacky. This sends the transmission into fail safe mode and then restricts use of the higher gears I guess. Well right after getting the car and driving it, I got the message and sprayed the air and it went away. Was I lucky? or am I in store for some serious repairs?

Can that sensor be replaced?

Please Help.

Thanks Greg

Hmm never heard of cleaning a sensor, but did he tll you how often the message comes up. Also, how many miles are on the X?

Sounds like maybe it's the gear-shift position sensor. Get it checked out..if that is the problem it shouldn't be too bad of a fix.

The car has about 72K on it.

Gear Shift Position sensor, got it. I'll check in to that.

I'm not sure about a sensor, but had to replace module to cure the problem in my 01 x.

Fixed the problem with Trans
 

I took it to the dealer and had my 2000 X5 transmission problem fixed. They replaced a gear shift sensor and a wiring harness inside the transmission.

Came out to about $1100 for that. No more problems. Dealer ships are a huge rip off, but we all knew what we were getting into when we bought the cars right? haha

WOW, i'm suprised they opened the transmission, because I had to take mine to an independent mechanic, and they replaced the the same internal harness and the modual. The dealer fist diagnosed my problem and told me I needed a new trainsmission, fortunatly i had a mechanic who works on these vehicals and it saved myself a lot of money, but i'm glad you got it fixed.