BMW X5's Transfer Case Nightmare: AWD Issues & Jerking

Hey there! I had nearly identical issues with my 2011 BMW X3 35i last year. The symptoms match what I experienced, multiple warning lights, jerky movements, and rough transmission shifts. In my case, the ABS sensor was failing, which caused a chain reaction. The faulty ABS readings made the transfer case go into protection mode, and this affected both the AWD system and transmission behavior. The car's computer was basically getting confused by incorrect wheel speed signals. The fix wasn't just replacing the ABS sensor, we also had to clean up some corrosion in the wheel hub assembly and reset all the related control modules. It turned out to be quite serious because the transfer case had started to get damaged from running in limp mode too long. My advice would be to get it checked soon before it potentially causes more damage to other components. The transfer case might not be the primary issue, could be the ABS system throwing everything else off like in my case. Hope this helps.

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! The ABS sensor/wheel hub situation you mentioned sounds really similar to what I went through. Quick question, do you remember roughly how much the whole repair ended up costing you? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix? I'm trying to get an idea of what I might be looking at cost-wise and whether this typically sorts the problem out for good.

Hey again! Great news, I can actually give you a happy update on my X3 situation! After getting it fixed last year, I haven't had a single problem with those transfer case warnings or any weird transmission behavior. It's running like a dream now. You'll love hearing this part, the fix didn't cost me anything because it was all covered under an extended warranty I had on the ABS system. The mechanic found that faulty ABS readings were indeed the root cause, just like they suspected. Once they sorted that out, the transfer case limp mode cleared up completely. The best part is that they caught it early enough, so there wasn't any permanent damage to the transfer case. That could've been a much pricier repair if we'd let it go longer. The whole job took them about a day to complete, they cleaned up the connections, replaced what was needed in the ABS system, and reset everything. Honestly, if your symptoms are matching what I had, you're probably looking at a similar fix. Just make sure to get it checked out soon to avoid any bigger issues down the road. These BMWs can be sensitive when it comes to sensor readings!

Thanks so much for that detailed follow-up! Just got back from the mechanic actually, and wow, you were spot on about the ABS sensor being the culprit! The whole ordeal cost me about €800, which included replacing the sensor, cleaning the wheel hub, and resetting all the systems. They also did a full diagnostic scan just to be safe. Definitely more expensive than I hoped, but way better than having to replace the entire transfer case. Already took it for a test drive, and the difference is like night and day. No more warning lights, the transmission's shifting perfectly, and that annoying jerking is completely gone. Really glad I asked here before assuming the worst about the transfer case. Would've probably spent a lot more money fixing something that wasn't actually the main problem. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it helped me push the mechanic in the right direction! Now I just need to remember to get these sensors checked during regular maintenance to avoid any future surprises. Lesson learned!

Hello, following a battery problem, I have System 4x4 and DCS down which displays

(Translated from French)

Start by checking the battery connections to ensure they are clean and secure. A weak or failing battery can cause various electronic systems to malfunction. If the battery is old, consider having it tested or replaced. After addressing the battery issue, clear any error codes and see if the warnings persist. Let me know how it goes or if you have any further questions!