Auto trans

[Storm]

Just been out in car and TRANS FAILSAFE warning has come up on display is car safe to drive and what is the problem thanks

[X5Sport]

Highly likely it's just a transient problem most likely caused by a flat/dying battery.  Well known in these cars.

If the gears lock down into a 'safe mode' (e.g. 3rd or 5th) then it might be more serious.  Any effects driving wise?  Odd gear selection, odd noises, less 'go' than normal?

[X5-D-Sport]

I was mucking about with fuses 3 weeks ago & the one for the gear-box was not put back in, giving this identical warning.

The transmission fuse lives in the glove box fuse pack... possibly a blown fuse ?

[Smeeagain]

[quote="Storm"]
Just been out in car and TRANS FAILSAFE warning has come up on display is car safe to drive and what is the problem thanks
[/quote]

Generally speaking it something simple like the battery - search on the forum for TRANS FAILSAFE and you will see a wealth of replies/messages

Smee

[brewer]

FYI, I have had this dozens of times, in particular when my starter motor was killing the battery.  Every time I had it, even though it was battery related (and not really down to the 'box), when the message appeared, the car always locks the box to a single gear in which to limp home.  On turning the ignition off and waiting for the car the dash to shutdown, the message reset and the box was taken out of limp mode.

[Monty84]

I get this warning when the gearbox doesn't know what position its in, by this i mean the position indicator on the instrument column is not lit.  I get this issue every now and again and its solved by exercising the gear selector backwards and forwards.

i have looked in to this and i think its on Bimmer forums were a picture of the position indicator sensor is basically in need of a clean.  i have identified its position to been on the side of the gearbox housing and only accessible by going underneath.  i have yet to climb under and sort this but when i do i will take photos and do a write up.

Mine is getting worse but not very quick.  when the car can't see the position for a period of time, say ten seconds it defaults in to safe gearbox mode and can only be driven in manual.  if you get the position to display within the ten seconds the car drives as normal.

[Smeeagain]

[quote="Storm"]
Just been out in car and TRANS FAILSAFE warning has come up on display is car safe to drive and what is the problem thanks
[/quote]

So did you sort the problem?

Smee

[Storm]

Yes thanks googled it and got a gent from Arizona told me to fully depress accelerator with key in position 1 for 30 secs then brake pedal for 10 secs and it cleared it ok now

[Storm]

I was mucking about with fuses 3 weeks ago & the one for the gear-box was not put back in, giving this identical warning.

The transmission fuse lives in the glove box fuse pack... possibly a blown fuse ?

Which fuse is it

[weirdfish]

[quote="Storm"]
Yes thanks googled it and got a gent from Arizona told me to fully depress accelerator with key in position 1 for 30 secs then brake pedal for 10 secs and it cleared it ok now
[/quote]

Soft reset.