Engine trans fail error

[kellyleekyle]

Hi guys, long time since I've posted but really need your help, 2 weeks ago I was driving when I lost all control of the car, everything just shut off and the engine trans fail error came up on the dash, I managed to pull over and turn off the car, then after trying to start her up, nothing, wouldn't turn over. Called AA who tried the diagnostics in her and it wouldn't communicate. They checked all the fuses but they were fine. I was recovered to a garage who have had her a week and now say they think it's the ABS module as it won't start or communicate with scanner, they'll get a replacement but it will be £hundreds. They don't know for sure if it's that but they say it needs changing so they can run the diagnostics? Would the ANS module cause this?

[X5Sport]

BMW Dealer?  If not then they may well not have the right kit.  If it is a BMW Dealer they will just start swapping modules in the hope one will fix it.....and you will get the bill.

Be very firm with them that if they change anything and it doesn't clear the problem then it is at their cost not yours!  I had one h3ll of a row with a dealer several years back and point blank refused to pay the bill as the fault had not been cleared and they wrecked the tracker.

[Steamyrotter]

Echo Richards comment.
Don't pay for anything that has not been proven to be th problem..

Also I don't think loss of bus comes to that module would inhibit start.
Also I don't believe the module itself would inhibit start but can't quantify this other than experience and research.

[kellyleekyle]

hi, thanks for your replies, its an indy not main dealer, he says he's sending the module to be tested down south, then fixed and with labour £600, the AA will pay max £500 as i have breakdown repair cover. I'm just worried that its not going to be the problem, they'll charge me a few hundred and still have no clue as they can't read any codes? why would the ABS module stop the car starting and lose communication ?

[X5Sport]

It won't.

[Ubatoid]

Its not unknown for the ABS module to loose comms but you will also have warning lights associated, brake, ASC etc.It wont cause a no start situation.
To me it sounds like a power failure to one or more of the ECUs. The Trans failsafe is always the one to pop up if there is a low voltage. Check simple things first like the engine earth straps, grounds and battery connections first . I guarantee it will be a simple issue.

[X5-D-Sport]

same problem here - all sorts of errors, due to low battery voltage throwing up suspension levelling & transmission errors... New battery solved lots of warning issues.

I also had this specific warning a month ago & turned out to be a fuse with dirty spade terminals in the fuse box inside the glove box, or could simply be a blown fuse ... as this will induce this exact error.

[kellyleekyle]

it had had a new battery in january, a bosch s5 so its not a battery issue, the garage have had the test results on the module and said its not that (no surprise) so have got a bmw expert coming on monday to have a look, they've had it now 3 weeks and are no closer than they were to begin with, trouble is they can't scan it for codes as it won't communicate with diagnostics . feel a hefty bill coming for nothing, AA won't pay out for any work not related to the problem

[Steamyrotter]

On other forums it has been mentioned that the EWS module is the usual culprit when it wont start....

That's the interlock between key and alarm systems....

[sitrom]

I had a similar problem with my old X5. The same error message came up. When connected to the diagnostics the ABS module was flagged up as the problem. The garage tried to replace it, but like yours it wasn't the problem. They then replaced the battery which again didn't solve the problem. They called in a BMW specialist, and it turned out to be the throttle body. A couple days later and £1000 lighter, the car was back on the road and the problem didn't occur again.