TRANS. FAILSAFE PROG

garioch · Post by **garioch** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 10:02 pm

Hi,

Today I started my car as normal then went out, drove around 30miles then stopped (everything still as normal). Was in the shops for about 30mins then when I came out and went to start car i got "trans. failsafe prog" come up on the dash as soon i put the ignition on. I was unable to start the car. it wouldn't even turn over. Mr AA man came out and checked codes, said there were none. disconnected battery then tried again. still no luck.

In the end the guy put his power probe directly onto the starter with ignition on and the car fired up fine.

Although now on the dash it does not show which gear the car is in, and although it still drives it is stuck in what seems to be either 2nd or 3rd gear. As soon as i switch it off it wont start again, without going directly onto starter.

Anyone any ideas? I'll try and give anymore info if needed.

Fearing the worst.

Cheers

shadrack · Post by **shadrack** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 10:15 pm

when i had this on my old x5 it still started ok, i would try an overnight trickle charge first as its free and a knackered battery could couse this error!

garioch · Post by **garioch** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 10:23 pm

battery voltage seemed ok, and made no difference when tried jump leads on it.

thanks for the reply though,

I am seeing a recurring theme whilst searching the net. most of the cars with this message can all still start ok and drive etc.

gchristofi · Post by **gchristofi** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 10:46 pm

Maybe earth issue. Would be worth figuring out where the main earth straps are and making sure they are firmly attached.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 8:31 am

As said, I would have plumped for the battery at first, but it sounds as if that is not the issue. It's not the immobiliser as you can start the car.

Are you getting a 'click' from the starter to indicate the solenoid has actually gone over? I don't know if the BMW starter has an interlock that prevents it spinning if the solenoid doesn't work?

This may be a long shot, but... Having the car in any D or R mode will stop everything too, so it's possible that the gearbox is the source with a faulty gear selector switch? Try waggling the gear shifter and see if that does anything. Given that the Trans. failsafe error came up instantly when you turned the ignition on, that might be the source of the issue. There is a complete starter lockout except in P or N.

The trans failsafe prog will also lock you in 3rd (or 5th) on a 6sp box.

Another thing to try is to actually completely disconnect the battery for about 10 mins or so as this will 'reset' the car electrics and should clear any erroneous errors. It's a well known and still used trick to see if the car will behave again. If the issue remains then it may well need a Dealer visit, unless another member can think of something?

garioch · Post by **garioch** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 5:35 pm

Thanks for the replies guys.

X5sport I know what you mean, however if this was the case would that not mean that it wouldn't change/drive in either D or R and also work in N and P?

I checked it with scanner and threw up a few codes.

48c3 - Message EGS1
5f43 - EGS Error: gearbox output speed sending failure identification
5fe1 - Variant code: info: trailer_oscillation_logic on EEPROM deactivated.

Tried clearing all codes, still no luck.

Bargain Bucket · Post by **Bargain Bucket** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:05 pm

"5fe1 - Variant code: info: trailer_oscillation_logic on EEPROM deactivated".

I have that one too. I wish I knew what it meant :'(

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:54 pm

[quote="garioch"]
X5sport I know what you mean, however if this was the case would that not mean that it wouldn't change/drive in either D or R and also work in N and P?
[/quote]
What I meant was that if the interlock switch is faulty so that the controller is not getting the indication that the lever is in 'P' or 'N' then the controller will inhibit the starter. I don't know where the switch is, and it might be inside the box. Like I said, it was a long shot......

I can't find that 5f43 code anywhere on line so you may need to call an Indy, Gearbox Specialist or Dealer.

The final code may be one that only applies if there's a trailer attached as there is a module installed with the towbar that 'tells' the car when the hitch is in use and makes changes to the 4WD and DSC. 'Trailer Oscillation' is what I would expect the system to be monitoring when a caravan etc is on the back.

Perhaps that code disappears if a towbar is installed?

EDIT Found this post about no cranking on a 4.4 X5 and some of what you might have looks familiar. Buried in there is a reference to also checking Fuse 5 as this can blow leading to issues with the starter inhibit which hot wiring the starter got around. Sounds like a possibility?

garioch · Post by **garioch** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 11:20 pm

Once again thanks for your detailed reply X5Sport. Much appreciated.

that link you posted sounds familiar, i shall have a look tomorrow and report back!

Steamyrotter · Post by **Steamyrotter** » Tue Jun 26, 2012 11:27 pm

loss of indication on the dash is a tad concerning.
Failsafe mode and not starting, coupled with your codes, could be pointing to an EGS fault.
I dont think its immobiliser as your car wouldn't run when bodged like that,
A good starter for 10 is to check all fuses & supplies to the EGS.
the gear indicator is done by CAN bus comms between EGS & Cluster.

GM manual states that when failsafe activates when driving the EGS should remove power from the pressure sol and all shift sols. This actually means lock in 5th and apply full fluid pressure. (approx 16barg roughly 240 psi depending on pump wear and gearbox internals.)
then when car next put to drive lock in 4th by safety valve in valve block.

It is hard to diagnose from afar though so only speaking from my experience and research. And lets face it i have had more than my fair share on both with these gearboxes...

You will need to get a decent diagnostic done on the car and the EGS. not all scanners will do it.

Edit..
Ah just noticed yours is an 05. Assuming then this is a 6 sp ZF and not 5Sp GM
in which case the pressures would be different and the fail safe operation could be also.

Bit that still stands is you need to get a proper scan done with correct system to get everything out of it.

garioch · Post by **garioch** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 9:31 pm

NOW FIXED!!!

After that link you posted X5sport, The guys at the garage had look at that fuse 5 and the oil sensor. it had blown and was blowing straight away after ignition turned on.

After thy started looking into wiring to sensor etc, it was clear what the problem was. the three wires going to the sensor were bare and shorting together. The wiring was renewed and now everything works again!!! So glad the box is fine lol!!

Once again this forum has come to the rescue and helped me get to the root of the problem quicker!

Thanks for all the replies.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 11:45 am

I'm glad it turned out to be at the 'simpler' and cheaper end of the Fix-it scale........

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 12:42 pm

Great news on the fix, and well done X5sport for finding the information.

This forum just proves it's self time and time again. ;D

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2

Sanj · Post by **Sanj** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 12:45 pm

Nice one X5sport!

Turks · Post by **Turks** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 4:21 am

Well done guys! Its great to see how the people on this forum can get their heads together and fix problems like this.

Turks.

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