E53 X5 - 4x4/DSC light issue....

[cj2013]

I gather this is "common", but it's a head scratcher, so hopefully someone has some experience. S

Summary:

- 2004MY X5
- 4x4 (DSC?) inactive light is on, looks like this


- Light is on as soon as you turn the key to position 2
- No other warning lights are present
- Pressing the DSC button does nothing
- Battery is new and seems to be charging at ~13.9v
- Car seems to run fine
- Checked all relevant fuses, which also seem fine

I've installed INPA and checked for codes - there were a plethora of random codes across all modules, which looked to be mostly just historic little farts. Cleared these, and the light still remains. I can't get a reading from the DSC ECU (only this one, all others are fine), but real OEM shows that it might just have a pump rather than any ECU (which, from research, could explain it).



All of the research points to potentially a wheel sensor or steering angle sensor, but these seem to be accompanied by other faults in the things people are experiencing. I've read the alternator can also be a weak point, but it seems to be charging fine.



Any ideas on what to look at next? It's not my car, just helping out with it to prevent the usual BMW tax or the dreaded "throw parts at it until fixed" scenario.

[Mike335i]

Are the tyres well matched and the right sizes all round?

[cj2013]

Mike335i said:

Are the tyres well matched and the right sizes all round?

Yes, I believe so but will confirm.

No clicking either (which would suggest it's not the actuator gear on the transfer box). Apparently it came on after a new battery was fitted.

[Chris rps]

Hi , iv one doing the exact same ,what did the problem end up being thanks

[cj2013]

Chris rps said:

Hi , iv one doing the exact same ,what did the problem end up being thanks

Steering angle sensor. Eventually diagnosed it with INPA by live reading sensor output.

One of the contacts had worn away which affected the extremities of the steering (lock to lock). Technically you're supposed to code them in, which I believe is supposed to be near impossible with used ones.


I chose to get inventive and swapped the head off a good used one onto the body of the existing (coded) one.