Trans Failsafe Prog
 

Hi all,

I know there are lot of threads, sorry to post again ;P.
Wondering if anyone has any advise on my problem. I have a 2001 X5, 4.4i. two weeks ago, the 'Trans Failsafe Prog' message always appears in my cluster. Clearing it from the scanner did the trick but only for the meantime. i found out that the boot going to the throttle body is a bit loose so tightened it and the X runs smoother and strong. However, after few days the message is there again. this time it appears when i'm on a downshift especially 2nd or 1st gear or on a complete stop. cleared the message by turning off and on ignition but sometimes it doesn't even engage to 1st gear then 'Trans Failsafe Prog' message appear. prior to this, few months ago the cluster always displays this message then sent it to the dealer for a software update and the message disappeared. but the last few days it's driving me crazy... I have the GT1 but is off to the seller for replacement, never had a chance to use it for diagnosis. my other obd scanner pulled a code referring to Camshaft position A but it showed only once. work done so far to trace this issue was cleaned the MAF and throttle body with a brake cleaner. replaced one camshaft sensor (passenger side of the engine)....

thanks for any help in advance.

cheers,
royemaun

:dunno: anyone care to help?

Royemaun - I think the transmisison message and the cam positioning messages are two separate issues. I know the scan tool I have doesn't do the codes for the transmission, they need to be done at the dealer

JohnD,

Last night I worked late on my X5 to narrow down the possibilities for this particular issue and as advised by my friend who is working for Land Rover here, I swapped the cam sensor which was taken from the left side (now new one is installed) and placed it on the right side of the engine (btw the cam sensor on the right that was taken out is not exactly the same as on the left - but the cam sensor fits just fine). This morning 7am, drove about 15kms (highway - drop the kids to school) and i've noticed a difference as the 'Trans Failsafe Prog' message did not show up till i was caught in a traffic on my way back to the office. the otherside of the road is always congested (that's the scenario each day) in which the gear would only shift 1st to 2nd and maybe 3rd. then like after 5km the trans failsafe prog is back. cleared the code when i arrived in the office @ 8:45am, drove the car few kms without the transfailsafe @12noon then going back to office after an hour without any issue. I was thinking if there is any procedure for the trans to learn my driving habbit? (not the trans reset).

thanks

The transmission failsafe problem has nothing to do with the engine, but will be either a problem with the transmission itself, a sensor the transmission reads, or something in the DSC system (if you have that light as well). So the OBD code reader is not of any help for the transmission problem.

I'd either wait till you have the GT1 back so you can read the faults fron the transmission control module or bring it in to the dealer for diagnosis.

And the transmission learning your driving habits has nothing to do with the failsafe message you are getting, that is caused by a fault that needs to be found and fixed.

I had that problem and brought it to the shop fixed the little things and now it came back but this time worst i have no 1st gear ( so i have to start off in 2nd) and i have no reverse at all ( so i have to put it in reverse and get out the car and push to get out of a parking in NYC)

My OBD code reader pulled a P0715 Input Turbine/Speed Sensor(A)Circuit Malfuntion code everytime the Trans Failsafe Prog message appears is this something i should look at? However, the dealer have diagnosed the X couple of months ago with the same problem and made an update to the trans software and the issue was solved.
Also i remember two weeks ago i've noticed that when running beyond 120kph the DSC/Brake indicator would lit on the cluster but not showing any trans error msg. and is not the case right now.

thanks

I would need to know the BMW fault codes stored in the DME, DSC and EGS to make any kind of accurate deductions... You may be able to call the dealer and have them fax you a copy of the faults/diagnostic report from that last visit.

oh no, i must have placed the report somewhere, i will try to locate it. the dealer gave me like 4 pages printout of the test but they don't keep records of report that's for sure, they only keep records of what has been done on the car. i'm not 100% sure if that is what you are looking for otherwise i would have to wait for my GT1 to give a new diagnosis report.
so far the X is not showing the annoying transfailsafe msg., only once this morning since i've changed the cam sensors.

thanks

royemaun, are you in Riyadh or Jeddah?

not recommended to put car in reverse and then get out to push .
leave it in neutral and you can push .

Riyadh

never ending Trans Failsafe Prog
 

my never ending Trans Failsafe Prog saga, come on.....
it was raining for the past week and i don't understand why is it always during rainy days that i experience this Trans Failsafe thing. 2 days ago i've sent the X5 to a BMW Service Center (not the dealer) to replace speed sensor turbine in the trans. found out that the sensor itself is loose and they have tighten up the connector, the X runs fine for the rest of the day. following morning trans failsafe again, once restarted never came back, why it's only in the morning? (i'm always getting this every morning atleast once before). today same issue but this time my alternator died. replaced it with the new one (Bosch) but i'd thought would solve the issue as i've read some post that it could be an alternator. scanned it with the GT1, now the DSC module seems to have an issue but why it's not showing prior to this? did a quick delete and did not appear again. now i'm getting an intermittent trans failsafe. any suggestions? is this a sign of serious problem with the tranny?

thanks.

I saw this message today out of no where. I just recently upgraded the exhaust on my 2004 3.0d. I dont think the exhaust upgrade can create any tranny problem to the car. Strange... Will see what BWM says when i take it into service in a few weeks.

The car has done close to 90,000ks and has never had the transmission fluid change coz dealership said u never need to change it. Better change tranny oil too i guess when im in in 3 weeks time.

Mine, too.
 

Royemaun,

I found this website because of my problem with my 2004 X5 4.4. I'm having the same problem as you, except that I also get a "engine failsafe program" signal as well. My problems are that sometimes when I'm on the freeway cruising at 60 mph, my cluster will ring and I'll have three lights turned on, on the cluster. The 1) service engine soon, 2) the 4X4 hazard light in the center with the half arc arrow, and 3) a yellow brake light. Then my car will only stay in about 2nd gear.
I called a local guru and he said that the car is going into safe mode so I can exit off the freeway. But he told me he's uncertain what the problem is and that it may be some type of metal shavings that are shorting the DME (Digital Motor Electonic control module).
My car is at Savage BMW right now and their diagnosis is that first, they need to replace the DME and only then they can tell me what's wrong with the car. I don't know why, but that already sounds expensive, since they've asked me for $2,133.15 just for that. I think that's absurd. Let me know if you find a fix. I hope soon because I'm thinking about trading it in for a Toyota.

Hi David,

The last thing i remember (back in november last year), after replacing the alternator, the transfailsafe prog was never fixed, but when i replaced the harness and 2 valve sensors in the transmission the message didn't showed up since. but when it's raining hard the transfailsafe prog appears in the cluster and i assume that there is some sort of short circuit somewhere because when i send the car for a wash the same issue appears. my remedy was to reset the car by removing the battery for an hour (when the car is dry).

I suggest you scan your car with a GT1 as it will give you more details about the fault, it could be something else. Don't replace your DME yet.

cheers,
royemaun

Royemaun,

I think it's some kind of short, too. I've read on this forum that the dealer often times won't even open up that ECU or DME box and often times there's some water or debris in there. Some guy used a blow dryer and cleaned it out and I guess that worked for him. It's worth a try since he spent $10 on some sealer rather than $2200 on the DME. Thanks. I definitely will not be spending 2K on this problem. It can't be that complicated.

David,

You might want to do a reset after cleaning that box to clear all the codes. and yes, it is a cheap fix.

cheers.

royemaun, so the problem was with the harness and 2 valve sensors in the transmission? how do you do a reset? disconnect battery for an hour?

Resetting all transmission adaptations can be done through a GT1 diagnostic interface.

Someone told me to disconnect the battery for one night n try that. But idk. What you guys think /??

Rock, yes, replacing the sensors and harness fixed the issue. to reset, leave the car for about an hour with the battery disconnected.

change the battery and everything will be fine


dont lose money for nothing


i got this problem before

you are saying the "trans fail safe" problem is caused by bad batt?

That is like saying the check engine light is caused by the gas cap and not to get the codes read. Let me say this again...

THE TRANS FAILSAFE IS JUST LIKE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, YOU SHOULD GET IT DIAGNOSED PROPERLY. EACH CASE MAY BE DIFFERENT.

Some times it's the battery, sometimes it's the alternator, sometimes it's the torque converter, sometimes the harness/solenoids, sometimes the clutch packs slipping internally, sometimes the control module, sometimes a communication problem between the EGS and DME or between the EGS and DSC, etc. etc. etc.

Do the proper diagnosis and research to your problem on a case by case basis.

:iagree: 100%.

Its OK to share experiences of similar situations you've had regarding a problem, but you shouldn't follow it as the solution to your issue.

Agree.......in fact common sense

This stuff is hard :))) Mine has the same problems, even alot more. I have a Thread about it. Today I was at the Motor specialist, he told me that it might be from the engine. It has some destabilization issues and he said that at least 2 cylinders are not working. Also he said that might be problems because my car was in the container for a month. So tomorrow i have to go to other specialist that deals with electronics. Also I plan getting battery charged or replaced. I'll see tomorrow :)
I had my car in alot of different places and all of them told me different things. So make sure you have a proper diagnoses first. Hope it's going to turn out little misunderstanding. Good Luck.

Trans. Failsafe Prog.
 

Trans. Failsafe Prog.

I've just had this Trans. Failsafe Prog. popped up on the cluster a few days now on my 2001 BMW X5 4.4i and I had the same problem two year ago and it got rid off by my neighbor who reset it with his GT1 and it worked fine until a few days ago, this Trans. Failsafe Prog popped up again. Does anybody live around Long Beach, CA have GT1? I really need some help to reset this light. Please help and I really appreciate before hand.

Hello
Does anyone know how to test alternator on 2001 BMW X5 4.4i whether it is bad. I used to test it on my Toyota's alternator by keeping engine running and removed battery cable, if engine stopped running that means alternator is not good. Can I do the same test on BMW X5? Please advise.

On the X5 that battery cable trick isn't enough to tell you much about the alternator. Do the autozones etc. in Cali do free checks like they do in most states? If so they can roll a tester out to the car and check the diodes as well as the amperage output.

on mine there was bad crankshaft sensor and that's it with electric issues, but other then that they tell me tranny is bad because message didn't go out. most likely harness/solenoids are damaged. I think i won't have to deal with it any more :)

I have Autozone checked my battery and I was told that the battery is weak and now my car is dead on me. One guy who used to work for BMW tech told me that I had the bad alternator. It sounds convincing but I had alternator replaced in 03/2008 so the alternator went bad about two years. I really don't believe it but i may have too now. I saw some thread here about someone who owns X5 and he/she had Trans. Failsafe Prog on and the car went dead and dealer told that it caused from the bad ignition switch. Is it true? Because I had my ignition switch replaced last month, could it be the cause? Why it has to do with Ignition switch? I can turn on and off engine fine. What should I do now? Should I go ahead replace new alternator? Please advise.

Bmw x5 Tranasmission problems
 

I have been reading for a few days now about all the posting about transmission slipping,jerking when rolling to a stop. I'm know thinking about changing the tranny filter,oil. i don't know if this will stop the rear ended problems but i will go ahead and change it. The problem i found with the rear ending seam to start up after about 15-30 mint driven, when the tranny fluid get heated up,if that the problem than isnt it the Transmission Oil Cooler,need to be change Bimmer Specialist

Ur battery being weak may have nothing to do with your alternator being bad. Change the battery if its been 5 or more years since its been replaced.

If the battery tested weak, then change it out. Then you can diagnose the alternator.

These forums have helped me so much i need to give back. After I fixed my window mechanism, testing it up and down, the next morning car would not crank over but all kinds of things flickered and clicked. I set battery charger and left for the day. Of history I had alternator changed 2 years ago (but this is same battery that at the time had to be charged several times and was probably stressed when BMW figured out my car was just shy of making enough juice with bad voltage regulator..they changed whole thing for 900). back to now; After I got home I tested battery from engine bay and measured 16.5 volts and when engine on running 17.5 volts. Couldn't figure out how you can get such voltages and took off connector to MAF and alternator to blow clean and reconnected (So i thought). Did some research online and you can not get these voltages out of a 12 volt system, I HAD LOW battery in my Multimeter, replaced and got 12.8 volts off and 14.2 volts with car running. These are what it should be and I thought great all is fixed and battery was just low and now that its charged all is good. NExt morning starts great and engine runs fine drove one block and got TRAN FAILSAFE PROG. Shifting almost normal but rougher than should be specially when slowing down from 20 to 0 it downshifted rough to 2 and 1 st gear to stop. I am panicking over my transmission now!!!. Took car home went to work. Came home and tested battery down to 10.7 volts (my meter is good now with new batteries in it). I take battery completely out of car thinking must have a draw on it. Charged all night and next morning got 11.4 volts and within 30 minutes get 10.5 volts. Battery must be bad. took to walmart and battery tester says bad cell in battery . Got the 3 year free replacement EVERLAST 82 dollars and size 94R and brought back fit perfectly. Started car no problems. Drove off and instantly TRAN Failsafe PROG. I am panicking calling BMW for appointment and they are of no use on the phone just want you to bring in and check. Took to Autozone and reads out a MAF issue. ENGine now starts and runs normally so I think that is not right. Had appointment for 2 days from now with BMW decide I will check under hood and look at MAF(mass air flow) and SEE ITS NOT PLUGGED IN!!! I did that?
Plugged in and drove off, TRAN FAILSAFE PROG GONE!!! but still SES (service engine soon light still on. After 3 or 4 turn on and off going places it is now OFF too!!!
So here is the analysis, LOW battery and bad cell was culprit all along, My own fault to dissconnect MAF harness and not reconnect. So if this is not connected this TRAN failsafe prog warning will be seen!!! what the hell these two have to do with each other I don't know. ALSO WHY WOULD AN ENGINE RUN BEAUTIFULLY if the MAF is bad or in this case NOT even plugged in.
NOW battery measures 12.9 with car off and 14.1 volts running. This tells me regulator and alternator working. All my warnings are off. Cancelled BMW appointment. Got cheap battery with 3 year warranty free replacement.
I HOPE I HAVE HELPED SOMEONE ELSE AS ALL THE TIDBITS I PICK UP ON THESE FORUMS HAVE HELPED ME.
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