MY X DIED!!
 

I was driving down 80 through Parsippany, and my car started acting up. At first the DSC light came on then the transmission failsafe program. On 80 its having maintenance performed on it, so keep in mind there was no where to pull over. So when the lights popped up I immediately threw my hazards on and slowed down. As I was looking for a shoulder of some sort to pull over my radio volume started going up and down. By this time I'm cursing and yelling. It was torrential down pour of rain at this time as well (maybe water got somewhere it wasn't supposed to?). I called AAA yada yada and while i was waiting i tried to start her up. All i was getting was clicks. AAA arrived I turned the key again and it started, but just barely. Battery is only a few months old, if that helps. Any ideas? What a perfect time for her to break down just ordered some parts for her. :dunno:

Have the battery (even though it's new) and charging system check.

Sounds like a voltage problem. What kind of X do you have? Have many miles? Mine does the same thing every once in a while. Its voltage related. Ive narrowed it down to the Outside temp sensor and voltage regulator.

battery is discharged.. since it has happened while you were driving, it means that the voltage has dropped too low, probably an alternator/voltage regulator and the electronics started to die off, thus you got all of those symptoms... voltage could have dipped below or SURGED above the threshold (16 VDC is the top limit)...

test the battery under a load, hopefully the battery place will have a correct tester for that... when you are back into the car, try the cluster test #9 (i think it is 9) for the system voltage and monitor the voltage while driving...

did the battery light come on too? if so, that means that the regulator bridge is defective... while the parts are repairable on the component level, it might be easier to swap the entire alternator...

keep us posted of the symptoms and further development, so we could give you more ideas....

e53 4.4 sport package 118k miles.

Year? Please put that information in your Sig such as TMV and I have. Alternators are different between prefacelift and face lifted years.

sorry I'm a facelift 2004.

it is not a watercooled alternator, if i am not mistaken, so it is rather easier to replace...

Ok, like I said... I've had the same symptoms. Radio, TFS, All the lights coming out on the dash... its a voltage problem. In my case, i was getting under voltage... 8.88 at one point. When you get the whip back, use a multimeter to check. I keep one in the car... thats how i found out about the under voltage. The car will start, soetimes it just take a bit.

I really appreciate the all the quick responses everybody! Xoutpost doesn't have high ratings for nothing!

TerminatorX5, Im going to cluster test now. brb.