HELP - "4x4 system faulty" iDrive warning message

X5_twin · Post by **X5_twin** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 12:40 pm

Oh my word. This fault appeared on the iDrive screen yesterday driving home from work. Any ideas folks? Has this happened to anybody else? Any advice or input much appreciated, thanks

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 1:03 pm

Is it still there, or has it cleared?

If it doesn't clear then it's either a case of calling out BMW Emergency Service (assuming you're still covered and under warranty?) to come and have a look, or take it in to the Dealer.

If my dash failure was anything to go by it could be any one of any number of issues. There are some many interconnections in these cars that it might not even be connected with the actual 4x4 system at all!! That actual fault still hasn't been found, although the dash power supply 'appears' to be the likely source.

X5_twin · Post by **X5_twin** » Sun Jun 10, 2012 10:14 am

Well thats a bit odd. Yesterday when i took it for a short drive it wasn't on when i started the car or after 10 mins of driving. Maybe the problem has gone? Bit strange. Either the 4x4 system is faulty or not. I can't see how it was faulty on Friday and on Saturday its all fine ! I'll keep an eye on it and see if it comes on again this week.

I don't have a BMW warranty but do have a good comprehensive 12 month warranty on the car so I'll check to see what's covered.

X5Sport good luck sorting your fault. Hopefully it will just clear on its own !

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun Jun 10, 2012 10:29 am

From what the Dealer told me there are so many computers on these cars that it only needs one to be a fraction slow at booting up and the car thinks the world is ending! It can also be a sign of a dying or low/flat battery. The power drawn with just the radio on as much as 60A - or what an average car used with everything switched on 20 years ago!

Hopefully it's gone away again and stays away - like mine has so far. I do have mine on a CTEK conditioner/charger now. It took 8-hours to charge yesterday and the car has been standing for a week, or only done short journeys.

gchristofi · Post by **gchristofi** » Sun Jun 10, 2012 11:43 am

This is reminiscent of the ever present " trans failsafe " error message on the e53.

jason@bwchiptune · Post by **jason@bwchiptune** » Sun Jun 10, 2012 3:44 pm

where abouts are you in the uk as we have dealers around the uk which are exbmw techs?
would need to first check your car on the diagnostics to see what it's been doing?
what year is your car?

X5_twin · Post by **X5_twin** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 11:11 am

[quote="jason@bwchiptune"]
where abouts are you in the uk as we have dealers around the uk which are exbmw techs?
would need to first check your car on the diagnostics to see what it's been doing?
what year is your car?
[/quote]

Hi Jason. I'm in London and it's a 2008. Thanks for the reply. Strangely its gone of now and so far seems to be staying of!. If it comes on again I'll get it on a diagnostic machine or be in touch. Thanks again.

X5_twin · Post by **X5_twin** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 11:13 am

[quote="X5Sport"]
Hopefully it's gone away again and stays away - like mine has so far. [/quote]

It seems to have gone away now. Fingers crossed ! Its one of those warnings that sends shivers down you spine when you see it !"4x4 system faulty" sounds very very expensive !

i_dinler · Post by **i_dinler** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 10:54 am

Are you still getting this problem or has it gone away, I have a similar intermittent issue where I occasionally get the same warning and on full lock the car seems to hesitate and get jerky? Anyone had this problem before and what was replaced?

Riggie · Post by **Riggie** » Mon Jul 02, 2012 9:18 pm

Before my X, I had an E60 530d which I had for almost 3 years. After about12 months I had a red message flash up on the idrive 'central electronics failure, do not drive the vehicle'.

Switched the ignition off and back on and it cleared, never did see the message again. The electrical gremlins are well known.

i_dinler · Post by **i_dinler** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 1:38 pm

Mine has also cleared now

Hope it stays that way

MSPORTBMW · Post by **MSPORTBMW** » Tue Aug 04, 2015 8:16 pm

Just thought id add......my 2009 car got this message today....i turned the car off and started a few seconds later and its gone. Ive also had transmission failure appear during the winter months. Once again it cleared after a restart. And i have not had that message during this summer....maybe cos i dont use lights/heater anywhere near as much
Im pretty sure my car has the original battery, so i presume its now on its way out.

Rather a battery than an expensive transmission problem.

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