X5 E53 "Trans. Fail Safe Prog." message then no drive

[westerlystorm]

Hi,
on 3/11/17 I bought a very clean 05 plate X5 E53 3.0i auto with 90k miles from a dealer. I paid by debit card rather than credit card because the dealer said he preferred debit cards to save credit card charges. I paid full asking price as he said he had other clients lined up and would give no discount for a straight no trade in sale.

I have a "dealer warranty" from him which I I believe is three months but it is in the car so I need to confirm this

On Thursday (30/11/17) after less than 500 miles I was driving home and when going over a bumpy piece of road the "Trans. Fail Safe Prog." message appeared briefly and the car lost drive for a few seconds and then gave a clunk and all was ok again.

Just before I arrived home i stopped at a perol station to fill up with petrol. The car started normally with no error message but after less than 30 metres it lost drive in both Drive and Reverse.

I had it lifted by a recovery driver and taken to my mechanic who is a BMW trained mechanic.

He had the same experience when he tried to drive it and the stored error code told him a fault in 3rd gear.

He cleared the fault and then tried again.

He had the same result but reved the car while in Drive and there was a faint clunk and the car moved forward with no fault indication and he took it for a short run with no problems.

Has anyone had this experience?

And can anyone comment on my rights from a warranty point of view?

Many thanks in advance

WS

P.S. This is my 3rd E53 and the first I have had any problems with

[essayer]

Are you in time (today) to reject the car under the short term provisions of the Consumer Rights Act? 30 days from delivery IIRC

Because that’s what I’d be tempted to do

[westerlystorm]

Thanks for your speedy reply.

IIRC???

WS

[westerlystorm]

Thanks for your speedy reply.

IIRC???

WS

[iSore]

It's a GM box on these with the two solenoids for the t/converter and main system pressure. It may be worth dropping the pan and valve body and replacing all of the solenoids - expensive but it's an old X5. At least you have the reliable engine!

[RafflesNH]

The first thing I would check is the battery and/or charging system. These cars are very sensitive to sub optimal current, and will exhibit all sorts of problems if not operating at their peak. I had the same fault show in my 2002 E39, and all I needed was a new battery that cured it.

[99Chimaera]

westerlystorm said:

Thanks for your speedy reply.

IIRC???

WS

IIRC means if I remember correctly.