01' 530i Trans. FailSafe Prog.

[MJL's5Series]

Hello fellow Bimmer Brothers and Sisters,

I recently acquired a 01' 530i that is giving the dreaded Trans Failsafe Prog. message on the dash. Here is a little info on the car and what its doing.

1. Dead battery when picked car up, jumped it with my 99' 528i and it started rite up but Trans message was displayed.
2. Car is NOT in limp mode
3. Traction control light is on.
4. Very slow acceleration from stop but once it gets going it appears to drive well until I need to stop and start again...
5. Unrelated (I think) there appeara to be an issue with the break booster or so I was told.

I just purchased the car so I have not had a chance to look into much as of yet i have not even gotten a chance to scan for codes yet or get it up on the lift and check fluids and elec. connections or for any leaks but that is all at the top of my to-do list. If anypne has any good tips, tricks or recommendations please let me know it will be much appreciated.

[sealbeach740]

Most TFS problems are caused by low battery condition.
Since you picked up the 530 with a dead battery, I'd verify the voltage of the battery & see if that's what's causing the problem.

[MJL's5Series]

So I did check the battery voltage today, when I got do the car it only had 11.3VDC car wouldn't even turn over. I jumped it started rite up TFS message was on dash, started driving and had no shifting issues at first then the DCS light came on and appears to be stuck in 3rd again. I will be having the alternator & battery checked this week at some point I hope and will be going from there. Thanks for the insight if anyone has any other info please feel free to pass it along.

[mattmar1]

if you didnt charge up the battery, its low, when the car is running after jumping off, its still a load on the electrical system. needs to be charged up ennyways before a full test can be made on the charging system.

[Chedley]

Replace the battery with a new one, not a rebuilt.

[toybreaker]

Get it up off the ground and check the wiring to the electrical switch on the shift shaft. If the wiring has chafed, it is shorting out and will cause a failsafe condition. Easy fix. 35 minutes including putting it on jackstands.

[amancuso]

Sounds like low battery condition. Did the same thing on my old auto Z3 years ago.

[geargrinder]

Replace the battery with a new one, not a rebuilt.

Rebuilt batteries?!? WERRT!?!? That sounds like a REAL bad idear.

First easy step is just give that one a long solid charge up and see if things sort out. That said, with the DSC lights coming on, that could be your issue too. But battery has to be sorted one way or another first.

[mattmar1]

[QUOTE=MJL's5Series;30181985],

2. Car is NOT in limp mode

4. Very slow acceleration from stop but once it gets going it appears to drive well until I need to stop and start again...
/QUOTE]

is too

[geargrinder]

LOL. Right , missed that. What do you think ‘trans failsafe’ basically is anyway? (Hint - rhymes with ‘Gimp Chode’) (which would also be a great username).

[mattmar1]

that slow acceleration is caused by the trans failsafe putting the trans in to "limp mode" 3rd or 4th gear only (been debated which), no shifting, meaning youre starting from a stop in that gear, hence your slow acceleration. dont drive the car when its in limp mode, thats been known to eat trans's for lunch.

[crazy4trains]

Post your voltages, measured at the battery, with the car running and with the car not running (and after the trunk light has gone out, which takes about 15 minutes).