hey guys,

sorry to bother you all but I question about my gf's x5 its a 2001 3.0 and she's got a message "trans fail safe program". Does that mean I need new tranny fluid, an error, or what? Also how does one reach the tranny dipstick. I have a e36 so I'm like lost when it comes to the bmw trucks. thanks guys.

I once had that message when the battery was partially discharged once and I had to jumpstart the car. I shut the car down, re-charged the battery and re-started, which cleared the message. Maybe your battery ran low?

AFAIK there is no dipstick on the gearbox. The oil change procedure is somewhat involved and best left to a professional if it really is necessary (lifetime fluid, anyone?), as it required very clean working conditions.

The X5 trans fluid is a lifetime fluid. Personally I don't think any fluid can last a lifetime, but thats just me... The failsafe mode is an error in the trans system. You will need to take it in and have it hooked up to the computer to tell exactly whats wrong with it. How many miles are on it?? I've seen X5 trans go as early as 40k miles and I've seen some with almost 200k miles on the 1st trans so who knows. Your best bet is to take it in and have it tooked at. Good luck and happy motoring..

I have had the Trans light go on twice on my 2001 X5 3.0. The first time they replaced the oxygen sensor and the second time it self corrected. The BMW service dept said it was a change in the gasoline formulations that triggered the light. There is no way of figuring what is wrong without visiting the dealer. Have 115,000 miles on mine and if you keep it up to snuff via the BMW dealer it is just as good as new. Not that I haven't had problems in the first 30,000 miles but then it was fine.

what the hell does a oxygen sensor or gasoline formulation has to do with a trans fail safe light ? These dealers in my opinion are feeding us garbage.

I am having this issue with my E38 750il and to me no one really know what is going on. Low voltage to the tranny I can understand but not the fuel formulation or the oxygen sensor to thro a trans failsafe warning light just to make sense !!!

The message in the cluster about the trans failsafe usually comes on when u do stupid stuff like turn ur car off while driving on neutral.. basically f***** ur transmission (overrevving) the manual tells uhow to fix this problem. I think u have to park turn off the car, pull the handbrake all the way up and turn the car on. But read the owners manual and it explains how to diagnose the problem.. Dont take it into the dealer until u do that

what the hell does a oxygen sensor or gasoline formulation has to do with a trans fail safe light ? These dealers in my opinion are feeding us garbage.

I am having this issue with my E38 750il and to me no one really know what is going on. Low voltage to the tranny I can understand but not the fuel formulation or the oxygen sensor to thro a trans failsafe warning light just to make sense !!!

Oxygen sensor are on the CAN bus which the EGS is also on the CAN bus. If the sensors fail it could cause erroneous faults in the EGS. Since you are sure that its garbage the dealers are feeding you (and I'm not trying to cause any arguments) then why don't you diagnos the OP's probelm. If a car comes in and you have a fault for something you ahve to replace the broken (obvious) thing first. You cannot just wave a magic wand over the car, and find out whats wrong. Then if that does not fix the problem, the real reapir is usually free since a lot of people (NOT ALL so don't beat me for this) whine, and say why didn't you find that the first time. Which they are correct but sometimes thats just not possible. At least that is what happens at the dealer I work at. Some of you may have some bad dealers, and cannot speak for them. Like stated above this was not to start some type of argument. I just get tired of people bashing dealerships so badly. If there were no dealerships there would be no BMW.

i had the same problem on our 2001 X5 4.4. found out that the battery was dying and that it caused a short that led to the error. phew. first time it happened, i immediately shut the car down. started it a few minutes later and it was gone.

hopefully yours is not a major problem and just a battery issue. i heard that its about time to be replacing the battery in our 2001 cars.

I also have a 2001 X5 with 127,000 miles. I have had the Trans light come on three times. The first two times it was caused by an emission control part but last week it meant a new Trans. The dealer quoted $6200 for a replacement but recommended I have it rebuilt by a local reputable trans shop. Just completed to the tune of $5000. Supposed to be better than the BMW replacement because they update the unit. However, I found out it is a GM trans made in France. Just a fair transmission according to the shop. Not up to Toyota or Lexus standards but better than a Taurus! Makes you think!

I thought that the "fail safe" error only applied to the automatic. Which transmission is being discussed?