Trans Failsafe Prog
 

Well, my first post on the website as I've finally took the plunge and bought my first BMW :) I've recently purchased a 2004 X5 4.8iS with only 30000km on it. Unfortunately my first post is not going to be a positive one even though I absolutely love the vehicle. Recently, I've been getting 3 cautions together which occur intermittently, but always together. The cautions come up in the following sequence and are generally cleared by shutting the engine down, removing the key, waiting several seconds and restarting: DSC/4x4 Inactive; Trans Failsafe Prog; yellow "BRAKE" light. The vehicle is a US build 08/2004 production date. The service department at Edmonton BMW initially thought it may be a software issue as the vehicle did not have the latest "Engine Software". So, he went ahead and re-flashed ALL of the software in the vehicle bringing it entirely up to date.

I have generally narrowed down the cautions to appearing after a bit of driving on the highway followed by coming to a stop. Also, I should add that the previous owner had changed the right rear tire without changing the opposite one. Basically, the right tire is relatively new while the left one has worn to almost the wear indicators on the center of the tire while the outer edges have quite a bit of tread left.

Any suggestions for a new BMW owner........

Its probably the speed sensor. a new one is about $80 US. You can test this by scanning your x for codes when it comes on. If it comes back as "right front speed sensor" then swap it with your "left speed sensor" to test it. If the code still comes back as "right front speed sensor" with the differnt sensor then you probably need a new ECU according to the Service Mananger I spoke to.

Are you under warranty? If so the dealer probably tried the cheapest thing possible first. as they dont want to put up $900 for the new ECU.

Fortunately, I am still under warranty. I'm planning on taking the vehicle back to the dealership sometime next month as I'm about 200miles away from it.

Thanks for the quick reply. I hope it's not too big of an issue.