TRANS FAIL SAFE PROG
 

So my 2002 3.0 X5 has finally decided to act up
and with its recall problem.
my warranty expired in Jan
and dealer wont fix it
ive read about this trans fail safe prog in the past
here are my symptomshttp://images.bimmerforums.com/smilies/mad.gif

When i start it TRANS FAIL SAFE PROG shows on the OBC
and i can only drive it in lower gears http://images.bimmerforums.com/smilies/frown.gif
How do i remedy this problem i need to sell it before the 1st of may

TIA!

Mine just went two weeks ago, got a reconditioned box with a 2yr warranty all in for about £2.5k

Think dealers charge £4k +

Well sick :(

Mac

There are a variety of factors that can trigger this condition, and not all of them are due to a transmission problem. Even something as simple as a faulty engine sensor can cause this. You need to have the drivetrain looked at by someone that knows what they are doing in order to get an idea of what is causing your specific problem.

:goodluck:

Try asking your dealer about Goodwill warranty. I got my tranny replaced under this Goodwill warranty after i read about it here on the X5world. My '02 X5 was out of warranty too and had only 70K miles. It depends on SA you talk to at your stealer.

THERE ARE LOTS OF CAUSES FOR THE FAILSAFE:
FAULTY INPUT SPEED SENSOR
FAULTY OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR
FAULTY SOLENOID OR SOLENOIDS IN VALVE BODY
LOW FLUID CONDITION
FAULTY RANGE SENSOR
TORQUE CONVERTER SLIPPING
INTERNAL MECHANICAL FAILURE
INTERNAL HYDRAULIC LEAK.
THERE MUST DEFINETELY BE TROUBLE CODES STORED IN MEMORY ASSOCIATED WITH THIS CONDITION, IF YOU CAN HAVE THE CODES READ AND LET ME KNOW WHAT THEY ARE, I CAN TELL YOU WHAT IS THE CAUSE AND WHAT IS THE REMEDY. I WORK IN A TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR THE THE LAST 14 YEARS.
BISMARK.

THERE ARE LOTS OF CAUSES FOR THE FAILSAFE:
FAULTY INPUT SPEED SENSOR
FAULTY OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR
FAULTY SOLENOID OR SOLENOIDS IN VALVE BODY
LOW FLUID CONDITION
FAULTY RANGE SENSOR
TORQUE CONVERTER SLIPPING
INTERNAL MECHANICAL FAILURE
INTERNAL HYDRAULIC LEAK.
THERE MUST DEFINETELY BE TROUBLE CODES STORED IN MEMORY ASSOCIATED WITH THIS CONDITION, IF YOU CAN HAVE THE CODES READ AND LET ME KNOW WHAT THEY ARE, I CAN TELL YOU WHAT IS THE CAUSE AND WHAT IS THE REMEDY. I WORK IN A TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR THE THE LAST 14 YEARS.
BISMARK.

Hi Johnny,

Out of curosity, what is the mileage on your X?

That's it, your tranny is tosted.

A failing alternator can cause the vehicle to go into FAIL SAFE mode if the computer senses low voltage. If your nav and air go out when this occurs, and the tranny won't shift out of second gear, this is the vehicle's way of preserving power.

New BMW alternator runs about $700 :wow: but if you are really nice and barely out of warranty, they might cover the part.:D Fields BMW replaced my alternator last week and I just covered the labor. Good business, IMO.

I got the same message and it was due to a faulty ignition switch.

The variety of possible faults that can put it in failsafe makes it worth getting diagnosed with the proper equipment, which unfortunately means paying the dealer an hour for diagnosis. But that will tell you the cause, and if it does happen to be the trans... inquire about goodwill with the service manager.

Hi, Mine came up with this code a couple of times aswell but after changing my water cooled alternator has not appeared again(would not get out of 4 gear tho until I replaced altrernator)
GOODLUCK !:dunno: