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Warning lights ?

Discuss the problems with your X5 (E53).
Gatecrasha
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Warning lights ?

Post by Gatecrasha » Wed Aug 12, 2020 12:08 pm

I have a problem with my e53.
Turn ignition on and it self scans and lights go out.
Turn key to start and for a few seconds
Abs lights up and so does exclamation mark in circle.
They then go out ?
From ours into town is a run of 7mile
Route there no problems
Roure back as soon as I hit the steep hill by town
I get dsc / 4x4 inactive ?
Could initial warning be linked ?
I have bought a cable man obd2 lead and software but cannot get this working ?
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henrym3
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Re: Warning lights ?

Post by henrym3 » Wed Aug 12, 2020 2:02 pm

You really need to get diagnostics on the case, check for intermittent wheel sensors, pressure sensor, when the lights come on do you loose the speedo. On the other hand the e53 has a notoriously crap abs module. For example your diagnostics may report a non functioning wheel sensor but if the module is faulty and it’s not taking the information in and passing it on it may report the wheel sensor not working. So you need to look at live data to check the sensor, if that reads good then it’s the module. Saves throwing parts at it. Good luck.

Gatecrasha
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Re: Warning lights ?

Post by Gatecrasha » Wed Aug 12, 2020 2:08 pm

Tried as much as I can to get the diagnostic software to run but I'm having no luck.
Other problem is I cannot simply jump on net and download as we have no broadband owing to provider speed being below speed of my mobile.
Were off the beaten track here in northern ireland
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Re: Warning lights ?

Post by Gatecrasha » Wed Aug 12, 2020 2:50 pm

If anyone can help with this I'd very much appreciate it.
I'm disabled and dont joke when I say this car is my lifeline.
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henrym3
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Re: Warning lights ?

Post by henrym3 » Wed Aug 12, 2020 2:53 pm

If it’s within the budget I would recommend something like Foxwell 510 around the £100 mark but at least not dependant on internet. If you have an e53 you need something, one visit to a dealer will probably buy 2 of them.
https://www.foxwelltool.co.uk/wholesale ... d-obd.html.
You haven’t said which model you have, diesel/petrol. There’s plenty of clued up people on here to help out.

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Re: Warning lights ?

Post by Gatecrasha » Wed Aug 12, 2020 3:12 pm

Cant afford a foxwell being honest.
I got had over with my cable !
Website said software on disc
Turned out it was download so ended up with no choice but to throw another 15 quid at the bloke to get software on usb stick
Only to have it not work !!
Mines an e53 3.0d auto if that helps anyone.
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Re: Warning lights ?

Post by henrym3 » Wed Aug 12, 2020 3:54 pm

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bluetooth-Scan ... B07CP632CL
Have you thought of something like this if you have an Android phone, if you search you can find them for iOS phones. Have a read see what you think

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Re: Warning lights ?

Post by Gatecrasha » Wed Aug 12, 2020 4:08 pm

I have a bluetooth obd2 plug in like that
But I'm not getting any codes ?
So stuck and cant move forward to resolve
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Re: Warning lights ?

Post by Gatecrasha » Wed Aug 12, 2020 4:20 pm

I have the elm27 but getting no faults
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Re: Warning lights ?

Post by henrym3 » Wed Aug 12, 2020 5:05 pm

The only solution then is if a friend with good internet will let you load up the usb info and let you run a diagnostics.

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Re: Warning lights ?

Post by Gatecrasha » Wed Aug 12, 2020 5:24 pm

In short... I'm screwed :(
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Re: Warning lights ?

Post by henrym3 » Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:12 pm

You can still drive with the lights on, you just don’t have abs, so cancel your entry into the circuit of Ireland this year and you’ll be fine.

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Re: Warning lights ?

Post by Gatecrasha » Wed Aug 12, 2020 9:36 pm

Abs is tip of iceberg.
I'm also getting dsc/ 4x4 inactive.
Mot isnt that far off which may not sound that bad
But mot's here arnt done down at your local friendly garage
It's all done at ministry test centres same as HGV in mainland
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Re: Warning lights ?

Post by Hoppo » Wed Aug 12, 2020 11:33 pm

Before you go and buy more scanners, please see this post:

https://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/viewtopic. ... 14#p162114

It does sound like you may need to replace the plastic cog in the transfer actuator. The biggest giveaway is listening for the clicking noise (comes from under the car) immediately after turning the ignition off. It’s very common around 100,000 miles or so.

See my post (number 3) in the above link and watch the video. It’s a fairly cheap fix once you have the new plastic cog and get under the car to get the actuator off. I reckon a decent mechanic could do the whole job for you in an hour or two if he has seen the problem before/watches the video. BMW will charge you around £1000 for replacing the whole actuator!

Good luck and let us know if you hear the clicking!

Ps just found this very good write up too. One of the videos explains the noise you are listening for:

https://axleaddict.com/auto-repair/BMW- ... em-And-Fix

:)

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Re: Warning lights ?

Post by Gatecrasha » Thu Aug 13, 2020 12:21 am

Hippo thankyou ;)
I'll check clicking in morning
I had suspected that this may be at the core of my issues
And after seeing price of the cog set I ordered one as a matter of course.
Had read circa 100k life span and cars done 109k
Fingers crossed ;)
Will report back once fitted n road tested
Again...thankyou
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