BMW X5, 2001 – Inoperative Speedometer & Brakes, ABS & DSC Warning Yellow Lights
 

I got an inoperative speedometer & Brakes, ABS & DSC Warning Yellow Lights on my BMW X5, 2001 4.4L. I suspect it is a faulty speed sensor. I'd like to find out if someone had the same issue and what was the cure for it. Can I still drive the car? It operates normally. Does this BMW has 2 speed sensors or only one? I found few sources that state it differently. I have a part number #34 52 6 756 380 which is for ABS Sensor, Rear. Is that the same sensor that I need? I'd like to clarify it. I highly appreciate your help. Thank you in advance!

A faulty ABS wheel speed sensor will cause the ABS and DSC warning lights. There is one in each wheel. The helpful part is knowing that your speedometer isn't working. The speedometer is driven off the left rear wheel speed sensor, so that is the one you need to change.

Thank you for replying to my thread. I am wondering if the part number I had is the correct one. Is the left side the same as drivers side?

That is the part number that realoem shows for the ABS sensor for a 2001 4.4. They list the same part number for each rear wheel sensor. The fronts have a different part number, one digit off.

See this link, item #23

RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 4.4i REAR AXLE SUPPORT/WHEEL SUSPENSION

You asked if the left side is the same as the driver's side. If you are Seattle, the left side is the driver's side. Left as determined from the driver's seat looking forward, not standing at the front of the vehicle looking back at it.

Thank you a lot! I highly appreciate it.

If you can change tire, then you will be able to change speed sensor
 

Tool you need:

3/16 in or 5 mm Allen wrench
one flat head screw driver to pry off the ABS sensor.

"Do not buy cheap Replacement brand sensor because if is difficult to plug back in"

I did change all front ABS speed sensors but did not solve DSC, ABS, Brake yellow lights problem. I will get my codes pulled. It should be either column sensor or ABS module.

Thank you. I was able to do it easily.

I have a 2003 4.4L with similar issues. My speedometer works 9 out of 10 times we use the car, but 1 in 10 there is no speedometer, ABS light and traction control warning lights are all on. Think this is the sensor going bad even though it's not 100% of the time, or does that sound more like a failing computer or something else entirely? One other interesting detail is that when i hookup the ODB2 reader it picks up the correct speed in the monitor mode. Thanks for the help!

I am not sure what can be the issue, but most likely the sensors. The problem is that you need to replace 4 of them to make sure you did all testings. However, most likely only one is failed. The helpful part is knowing that your speedometer isn't working. The speedometer is driven off the left rear wheel speed sensor, so that is the one you need to change first. The sensors are not expensive and very easy to replace.

A faulty ABS module was the source of my traction control and no speedometer problems.