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54c6 oil abrasion

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 8:57 am
by jaynana
i've been getting my 4x4 light coming up in amber at random times, but then it goes away at the next re-start.

it came up today am on a short ride to drop mrs to the station, came back just now and hooked up the scanner. and here's what i find:

Image


i've searched for this fault code (ignore the CAN msg..), appears that the transfer box's BMW 'life-time' oil needs replacing.

now the usual help:) does anyone know what oil to use (its not the standard ATF oil) and how to do it pls.

i will also start lookin around when i'm back in the ev.

worst case - the car is due for a service anyways in the next month, i could give it to my indy and ask him to do this job as well i guess.. but i'm lookn at a massive bill as the handbrake passed MOT with a warning last year which needs attending, plus front brakes need doing as well.. so if i can do anything myself i'd do it.

cheers

j

Re: 54c6 oil abrasion

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 9:39 am
by jaynana
found some info on how to change here

does anybody know what are Adaptation values in the below statement pls?
>Adaptation values should be reseted after fluid change. As far as I understand you can only do it with coding tools.

54c6 oil abrasion

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 11:58 am
by stevox5
Very easy to change the oil but you will need the adaptions to be reset.
This can be down with the dealer tool GT1 or someone with Autologic. Will be ok to drive in the meantime though.
Where are you located ... If near south Wales I could do it for you , if not a local dealer or independent should do it.

Re: 54c6 oil abrasion

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 2:42 pm
by jaynana
cheers steve,  i'm in north-west london, so it will have to be the indy then..

j

Re: 54c6 oil abrasion

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 3:49 pm
by X5Sport
And for anyone else with the same error code, this may help too:

Here is the relavent SIB:

=====================
SI B27 01 07
Intermediate and Special Transmission
April 2007
Technical Service
SUBJECT
Transfer case (VTG) Fault Code 54C6 Oil wear - Value too high
MODEL
E53 (X5) from 10/03 to 02/05 production
E83 (X3) to 02/05 production
SITUATION
After interrogating the fault memory, as part of an Inspection I or II maintenance service or another repair
requiring a diagnostics procedure, fault code 54C6 Oil wear – Value too high is stored. This fault will not
illuminate a warning lamp.

CAUSE
Transfer case fluid (non lifetime) wear value limit was exceeded.
CORRECTION
Replace the fluid in the transfer case.
PARTS INFORMATION
Part Number Description Quantity
83 22 0 397 244 TF0870 Fluid 1 = 1 liter
Note: Before opening, shake the container to evenly mix the additives in the fluid.
__________________
   

Re: 54c6 oil abrasion

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 9:59 pm
by jaynana
phew.. thanks for that. i was actually getting highly concerned whether it could be more complicated than just an oil change.

hopefully the oil change and the Adaptation values reset will happen tomorrow.

got so concerned that all other X projects were suspended with immoderate effect - like the webasto - until this got sorted!

Re: 54c6 oil abrasion

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 6:13 pm
by X5Sport
The SIB is actually copied from (much) lower down the thread you found, but knowing how the older threads get archived I nabbed a copy a bit sharpish....and at least it's an easy-ish fix.

Interested to read that not everyone has cleared the adaption values and not had an issue, but it's definitely the right thing to do.  Otherwise the systems will not have been told the fluid is now OK again.

At least you can get back to your other projects now too.... :)

R

54c6 oil abrasion

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 8:26 pm
by stevox5
This bulletin which is correct and a BMW issued doc also states that a warning lamp will not be illuminated on the dash which is also correct .
However changing the oil and resetting adaptions is the first logical step with this.
Hope it sorts it for you.
Cheers
Steve

Re: 54c6 oil abrasion

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 9:47 pm
by jaynana
car went to indy today.

indy said 2 things found:
1. 54c6 oil abrasion
2. some steering angle sensor issue.

oil changed and adaptation values reset; plus steering angle sensor was re-calibrated (not replaced) - whatever that means.

lights gone off. PHEW!!!

but then i just hooked up my scanner just now. it shows below:
54C6: oil abrasion: [red/fault currently present]
04: 90 degrees of wiper too large (Adjustment operation) [yellow/fault currently not present]

any idea what this means? called indy and i'll be checkin with him after work tomorrow.

of course the light's off. so in a way if i didn't have the scanner i'd be a happy man right now..  but then will it come back any moment..

other x projects stay suspended :(

j

Re: 54c6 oil abrasion

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 9:53 pm
by X5Sport
It may be that he failed to clear down the fault memory properly?

Re: 54c6 oil abrasion

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 10:00 pm
by Sanj
[quote="jaynana"]
any idea what this means? called indy and i'll be checkin with him after work tomorrow.

of course the light's off. so in a way if i didn't have the scanner i'd be a happy man right now..  but then will it come back any moment..

j
[/quote]

This is one of the only reasons why I don't have a scanner - too much knowledge can also drive you nuts!

54c6 oil abrasion

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 10:01 pm
by stevox5
The steering angle sensor fault code will be what triggered the warning lamp.
Is your steering wheel dead straight when going in a straight line ? If so re calibration should sort it out , if the wheel is off centre you will need 4 wheel alignment then calibration again to get it 100%
As for the fault codes get the guy to clear them again , road test the car with you then recheck the memory to ensure all is well.
Good news with the codes that were recorded as its nothing serious and remember the oil ageing fault code is merely a prompt to get the oil changed as a service item and will not illuminate a warning lamp this was down to the steering angle sensor do it seems.

Re: 54c6 oil abrasion

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 10:14 pm
by jaynana
thx

yes the car drives dead straight no issues.. last being yesterday on the m40. so i know this for sure.

yeah, maybe the codes weren't cleared.. although unlikely. i didn't clear them today either. cos i want to show it to the indy.

j

Re: 54c6 oil abrasion

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 2:29 pm
by jaynana
ok guys, updates, and the 4x4 light woes are not over yet so need help pls.

reset the error codes with teh scanner, and ran about 50 miles (mostly moterway + A roads) today am.

here's the update.

the 4x4 light goes off, and then sometimes it comes up. on the next start it may go off.

came home and hooked up the scanner again, and here's what i find:

first of all the previous error 'oil abrasion' does not come up any more (phew.. - so the transfer box seems safe!)

below are the errors reported:
Image
Image

(btw i'm using standard tires on both front and rear - not sure what that tire size thing means as well..)

so you're right - it seems to be the steering angle sensor giving me grief!

it also seems to suggest that adjustment is what is required (on one of the msgs) but thats what was done last time as well.

pls help if you can, share any knowledge, thoughts.

cheers

j

54c6 oil abrasion

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 10:04 am
by stevox5
What did the garage do to get rid of the fault code for the oil change in the transfer box?

I would get the car back to them so they can test the signal from the steering angle sensor with their diagnostic tool whilst turning the wheel lock to lock,if this is ok at time of test check the witting connection to the sensor.
If this checks out I would recode the sensor (if they have the correct equipment) then recalibrate it again and try that first(has worked for me in the past)
If fault persists may need a new sensor. Hard to be more help without checking it personally but from the info you have given that would be my approach .

Good luck