2005 E83 X3 - Warning lights
Discussion
Hi all
Bought a 150k mile X3 3.0i auto a few months back and all has been well - well, so far. It started flashing up with the brake warning light, ABS light and 4WD light every now and then, and then it became a regular thing. A quick Google and the suggested culprit is the transfer box actuator gear. £11 and a couple of hours to replace. So, I take it to a mate's workshop, and both of us set about it (he's the mechanic, I held the torch so he could see.....).
However, upon removal, the old gear wasn't that damaged. Nonetheless, it was out now, so may as well replace it.
Now the lights are coming on again, but only sporadically. Has anyone had this on either an X3/X5? Is their something else I should be looking for? Its not the tyres (which can be a cause) as they are all matching and correctly marked.
Anyone?
Bought a 150k mile X3 3.0i auto a few months back and all has been well - well, so far. It started flashing up with the brake warning light, ABS light and 4WD light every now and then, and then it became a regular thing. A quick Google and the suggested culprit is the transfer box actuator gear. £11 and a couple of hours to replace. So, I take it to a mate's workshop, and both of us set about it (he's the mechanic, I held the torch so he could see.....).
However, upon removal, the old gear wasn't that damaged. Nonetheless, it was out now, so may as well replace it.
Now the lights are coming on again, but only sporadically. Has anyone had this on either an X3/X5? Is their something else I should be looking for? Its not the tyres (which can be a cause) as they are all matching and correctly marked.
Anyone?
Yep - Had this on ours last month - It's expensive if you go BMW parts!
Seems the drive shafts have a well documented problem in that they warp and start rubbing against the ABS sensor causing mis-readings making the ABS and brake lights go on - This in turn causes problems with the 4wd sensors and hey-presto! Christmas tree on the Dash.
OEM parts are significantly cheaper but not as robust - Depends how long you intend to keep it.
Seems the drive shafts have a well documented problem in that they warp and start rubbing against the ABS sensor causing mis-readings making the ABS and brake lights go on - This in turn causes problems with the 4wd sensors and hey-presto! Christmas tree on the Dash.
OEM parts are significantly cheaper but not as robust - Depends how long you intend to keep it.
NormalWisdom said:
Yep - Had this on ours last month - It's expensive if you go BMW parts!
Seems the drive shafts have a well documented problem in that they warp and start rubbing against the ABS sensor causing mis-readings making the ABS and brake lights go on - This in turn causes problems with the 4wd sensors and hey-presto! Christmas tree on the Dash.
OEM parts are significantly cheaper but not as robust - Depends how long you intend to keep it.
Oh wow, thanks for the prompt response. Ok, so I'll get my chap to look at the drive shafts then. I bought it (well, mainly out of frustration of not being able to find the car I really wanted) as a bit of a family workhorse (school run, dump trips, etc) and don't want to be too precious about it, but in fairness, it is ok to drive, and I did the London-Scotland annual Christmas run in it before this started to happen, so it does the job. I'll probably keep it this year, but who knows. I say that with every car, and then get bored after 6 months...... Seems the drive shafts have a well documented problem in that they warp and start rubbing against the ABS sensor causing mis-readings making the ABS and brake lights go on - This in turn causes problems with the 4wd sensors and hey-presto! Christmas tree on the Dash.
OEM parts are significantly cheaper but not as robust - Depends how long you intend to keep it.
Them lights can come on for many abs/4x4 faults. Yes there is common faults like you have mentioned , but is it not worth someone connecting some bmw compatible software and actually see what fault is being logged? Otherwise you are just guessing and chucking parts at it.
Any of the wheel speed sensors, abs ecu or pump, transfer box motor ( not just the gear) , transfer box itself, steering angle sensor, wiring fault, battery fault, etc can all be a cause of them 3 lights coming on
Any of the wheel speed sensors, abs ecu or pump, transfer box motor ( not just the gear) , transfer box itself, steering angle sensor, wiring fault, battery fault, etc can all be a cause of them 3 lights coming on
Elliot2000 said:
Them lights can come on for many abs/4x4 faults. Yes there is common faults like you have mentioned , but is it not worth someone connecting some bmw compatible software and actually see what fault is being logged? Otherwise you are just guessing and chucking parts at it.
Any of the wheel speed sensors, abs ecu or pump, transfer box motor ( not just the gear) , transfer box itself, steering angle sensor, wiring fault, battery fault, etc can all be a cause of them 3 lights coming on
Yes, I think that is a good idea, but its nice to know what the more common faults are too. Funnily enough, I've just spoken with my friend, and a similar situation happened with his mum's E46 Cab. The drive shaft was badly corroded and a high spot kept hitting the ABS sensor, which then put the car into limp mode.Any of the wheel speed sensors, abs ecu or pump, transfer box motor ( not just the gear) , transfer box itself, steering angle sensor, wiring fault, battery fault, etc can all be a cause of them 3 lights coming on
Either way, I'm not sure I fancy spending lots of time or money on such a cheap car, so my revisited BMW ownership may be shorter than planned!
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