Transfail Safe Prog

[x5e53]

Had the Transfail safe prog come on 3 times in the past week.
The car then stalls.
But restarts back up with no problem.

I have also noticed a loud ticking sound when starting it up, especially when cold.
But once the engine is revved it quietens down.
When its cold, it seems as though there is a missfire, like the car shakes a bit.
I have replaced all the Coil Packs with genuine BMW ones.
The EML came on, but when I tried to read the codes using a bluetooth OBD2 adapter, no codes came up.

I tried the Reset procedure using the dash check control stalk.
The EML has gone out, but the other symptoms still persist.

Any Ideas?

[strummer]

You need to read the codes mate to have any idea the Carly system seems to be the way to go

[Horizon]

[quote="x5e53"]
Had the Transfail safe prog come on 3 times in the past week.
The car then stalls.
But restarts back up with no problem.

I have also noticed a loud ticking sound when starting it up, especially when cold.
But once the engine is revved it quietens down.
When its cold, it seems as though there is a missfire, like the car shakes a bit.
I have replaced all the Coil Packs with genuine BMW ones.
The EML came on, but when I tried to read the codes using a bluetooth OBD2 adapter, no codes came up.
It would be better if you stated what varient of the X5 you have I'm guessing it's a petrol due to coilpacks, as ticking sound when cold is usually webasco heater starting up at 5 degs C.
Is the sound like tappers, does it speed up in relation to the RPM etc
I tried the Reset procedure using the dash check control stalk.
The EML has gone out, but the other symptoms still persist.

Any Ideas?
[/quote]

[X5-D-Sport]

The loud ticking sound will be the Webasto doing its thing - "especially when it's cold" = NORMAL

The Trans Fail Safe...  check your battery voltages.... ping the bonnet in the morning on a SUB ZERO morning & take a reading from the jump start point - BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE OR POWERING SYSTEMS.

The voltage should read 12.4 Volts or more from a stone-cold battery.
Take another reading from vehicle when running & reading should be 13.5 > 14volts...

If you're getting less than 12.4 Volts when cold & not running, then the system can potentially generate faults galore.

Grant B

[Huxsta]

+1 on checking the battery. I've got an e39 530d on an 03 plate and it carries a lot of the same tech as your e53. I had trans fail safe come up yrs ago, checked, and subsequently changed the battery and never seen it since.......now where is a piece of wood

[x5e53]

Mine hasn't got a Webasto.
Will try the battery voltage check tomorrow - cheers

Quick question, I will be trying to read the codes with the Carly app.
Do i need to buy the expensive OBD2 device they have on their site?
Or can I use any OBD2 USB Device? I have one from when I got BMW SCanner 1.4.0 from ebay (Couldn't  get it to work on windows 10, hence looking for Carly now)
The OBD2 scanner device I have is OBD2 on 1 side, then USB on the other. So I was think I could just buy the USB to Micro-USB cable to connect it to my Android Phone.

[X5Sport]

Needs to be their device as far as I know.  It works either by Bluetooth or WiFi.

[x5e53]

I think i have a battery issue, as the alarm keeps going off.
I will check the voltage tomorrow.
In the mean time, how do i lock the car without arming the alarm?

[Steamyrotter]

I think you use the key in the lock which then does not set the alarm.


If you use the fob, a second lock press will disable ultrasonic and tilt/vibration (i believe) so could whittle down whats setting it off??

[X5Sport]

Could also be a dodgy bonnet switch.  That is a known weakness for the E53.  If I remember correctly it is part way along the drivers side of the engine bay.  Black push button that contacts the bonnet, mounted in a square black block.  Known to cause issues if it gets wet inside.