XSeries-forum

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?

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

[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]

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

+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

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.

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

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?

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??

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.