Engine Fail Safe Light came on?? Please help...
 

Engine Fail Safe Light came on after accidently down shiffting from third to second gear, the car started to idle/ run rough. Pulled over to side of the road turned off the car and waited a couple of minutes, restarted the car and the check engine light is now on?? it also is running sluggish?

What did I do to it ?? Please help, I am taking it to the dealer and would like to have knowledge before I turn it over to them....

2003 X5 4.4:(

could be many things. you need to pull the codes to diagnose the problem. sounds like misfire or oil separator issue.

Doesn't sound like a missfire or oil seperator issue to me, sounds like something is stopping the vanos from advancing the cam timing. Maybe a cam sensor failed... needs the faults read, but that's my guess.

I had this coupled with the "Trans Failsafe" warning. The problem was a bad DSC module and a bas speed sensor. The DSC unit is expensive +/- $1300. I tried to get it rebuilt, but the rebuilt DSC still failed. That being said, do your research. There are a myriad of problems that cause the vehicle to go into limp mode.

Autozone will read the code for free.... let us know what codes pop up. That can get you pointed in the right direction.

Autozone scanned it for free and the code cake back as P0102, it could be a vacuum hose, throttle body intake tube, Baro barometer, mass air flow sensor etc...

Thnks guy's for your feedback! Casey

P0102
 

I have had that code before, it is definitely air flow related. Most likely it is emmissions related. I've had it both on my 328i and X5. And in both cases I unplugged the MAF and reconnected it to make sure there is a good connection. Then I have garaged my 328i because it is the worst about MAF codes because I upgraded to the Stage 3 K&N intake (more problems than it's worth sometimes). The most important thing is to let the car warm up for a couple minutes before you drive it to let the secondary air (emmissions) pump cycle. If you do end up having to replace the MAF check out the Dinan website the performance version is very close to the price of the standard MAF price at Autozone or O'Rileys. Definitely avoid a "stealer" if you can. Hope this helps.

code 0102
 

ok but THIS MORNING HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED TO ME WHILE ENGINE RUNNING SMOOTHLY, I PULLED-OFF THE PLUG FROM THE (AIR MASS SENSOR) SUDDENLY IT TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THREW A CODE: P0102.

IMMEDIATELY I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN WITHOUT THE (MAF), ENGINE IDLE FINE THE SAME WAY. DOES IT MEAN THAT (AIR MASS METER NOT GOOD? CAUSE IT NEVER THREW OUT ANY CODE RELATED WITH (AIR MASS SENSOR) WHEN EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED TOGETHER, ONLY IF I UNPLUG THE MAF.

ALSO SOMETIME I HAVE: (P0171/P0174) TOO REPLACING (P1158/P1160) WITH CATALYST NOT READY/ HEATER CATALYST NOT READY/EGR VALVE NOT READY.

Had same issues. My guy opened throttle body and cleaned the inside and valve. So far it's shifting smoother now than before.

Hey all,

I have an 03 e53 4.6is with a Dinan S3 package. For the past 16 months I have had random issues with the X going into "engine failsafe mode" the codes say "throttle body issues" we have replaced it 3 times. We also replaced the gas pedal assembly as a premptive measure. The issue continues, turning my Bavarian Beast into unreliable nightmare! I love this car like my first born child... My indy shop (Valley Motorwerks) and the Dinan mothership in Morgan Hill have run out of ideas. I need some help, any thoughts, ideas and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated...


Thanks,


TB