4x4 warning light

[Gareth83]

Hi all,

I've taken my X into my Local Kwik Fit because My wheel alignment was out and I required 2 new tyres. So they fit 2 new pirelli's and get it on the machine and it shows the toe on the front to be out by a concidrable amount. They make adjustment and get it all aligned, job done and I'm happy.

It's now driving far better than before I had the work done, however on my way home amount 3 miles from the garage the 4x4 warning light comes on, it's not made any noticeable difference to the drive, when I got home I turned off the engine and gave it 5min but it's still on

[Horizon]

Try driving forward slowly and turning  full lock to full lock, it may need the steering angle sensor re calibrating as it was used to the steering wheel being in a certain position when going straight. Also you may need to re initiate the flat tyre warning system as well, that usually throws a wobbler when new tyres are fitted.
Also miss matched tyres front and rear can have a dramatic affect on the transmission, causing wind up and busting a diff. What tread depth and make are the rear tyres.

[Pete]

What tyre sizes have they put on?

[Gareth83]

Thanks for the help I will try your advice in the morning. The rear tyres are continentals and have about 5-6mm of tread still (only replaced about 8 months ago)

The new tyres I put on are 255 50 R19's.

[X5Sport]

Changing just a pair can be tricky, as can just doing a two wheel alignment.  It us important that all corners are in the right alignment.  It's the difference between them that counts.

Could be the angle sensor not being happy as suggested....especially if there was a significant change needed.

[Gareth83]

At Kwik Fit they use the Hunter Allignment system which checks all 4 corners for camber, toe and caster. The rear was spot on but the front was well out on the toe and slightly on camber, all perfectly inline now though

[X5Sport]

It sounded from your earlier post that it was a two wheel alignment, but if they did all four then great. 

It isn't unusual to find these errors on X cars, though why isn't clear.  Maybe bushing changes aren't always followed up?  That's pure speculation though.

[Turks]

Had similar - kept getting the warning light pop up, but it would go out again on re-start.

It was the rear sub-bushes and a front N/S level sensor.


Turks.

[henrym3]

That's what's great about these vehicles, they keep you on your toes?? You get a fault light for one thing and the answer is in a completely different component which isn't showing a fault but may be just a little out of adjustment. Of course these faults and debate are all very interesting as long as it's not your vehicle. However how much extra would we have spent if it wasn't for sites like this.

[Turks]

My wife brands me a geek for going on forums... but on a number of occasions I have saved a fortune by knowing exactly what a problem is, or how to fix something and it has meant she can get a new handbag.

Either way it costs me...


Turks.

[X5Sport]

That's called a Win Win situation