4x4 MIL on but no code
 

My wife has a 2006 X5 4.4 with 65k miles on it, the other day she said the 4x4 malfunction indicator light came on. After she got it home the MIL was off (vehicle was turned on/off a couple times) put the code reader (Actron CP9575) on it and it said no stored codes...so I thought it was because the X5 was shut off before getting it home.

Second time the 4x4 MIL comes on, code reader is already in the vehicle, have wife plug the Actron in before shutting the vehicle off, still no codes, and does not even show that MIL is on.

Anyone have an idea of why the reader is not pulling the codes...wrong reader, not really throwing a code even though the MIL, etc?

Thanks,
Matt

most readers are reading the emisions codes, while the 4x4 code is thrown in the ABS module, not related to emissions... you will need GT1, DIS or INPA to read those codes...

Thanks, that makes sense.

Wont a Peake Code reader work as well or is that consider a "soft fault" and not a hard code and the reason the Peake wont read it either?

Or BMW Scanner 1.4 which is a lot easier to install and use then those other software.

Pulled code 4f7a
 

OK, I tried to use DIS but it says it could not communicate with the transfer case control unit (or whatever it was called), but I was able to use INPA and pull the code:

4F7A signal from transfer box faulty

Anyone have an idea what is going on with my wife's X5?

Thanks,

Matt

Could be the oil in the transfer case in need of change. That oil is quite expensive, but you don't need much of it. The problem is, you need to re-initialize the transfer case after changing it - only with GT1 you can do it. And the transfer case will throw that code if I'm not mistaken, once the oil has a certain mileage on it. Only for the 2004+ e53. I changed that oil this past spring, and it's very easy, but you need the scanner.

You could have a transfer actuator gear going bad. When the gear finally strip out, you can hear it when you shut the engine off. Briansmobile on Youtube has a video on the symptoms and the repair. He used a new actuator but you can buy the gear and install a new gear.

Thanks, I did happen to change the xfer case oil last year at about 60,000 miles. Did not know that I need to reinitialize it, thanks!

Thanks, I'll check it out and see how easy it is to determine if the gear is wearing out.