DSC 4x4 Inactive light
 

I've got a 2005 X5 4.4 and the DSC Inactive light recently came on (no other lights). When it comes on, it just pops up and stays on for the remainder of the ride. When I restart the car again the light is off. There are no noises and nothing feels unusual about the drive. After reading about wheel speed sensors I thought that maybe one was off because of tire pressure. I filled the tires and didnt see the light for about a week or so. It popped back up today. I took it to the shop and they say they are getting a Transfer Case code when running a diagnostic. I'm a little skeptical. I want to make sure it's not just the sensors or alignment throwing a false code or something like that before I drop $3200. Any ideas or suggestions?

Not too familiar with this problem yet, but found this ling for you.

I know there are four sensors, maybe one of them is bad and needs to be replaced?

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ing-light.html

~Mud

Sounds like the way my alternator problem started....

DSC 4X4 Light on
 

i experienced that problem on the 2006 X5 4.4i. The light would come on and off on its own, then there was the Trans Failsafe Programme warning light after a couple of months. After replacing two batteries in two months (second one for free), it turned out my problem was the alternator. Since replacing that baby, i havent had that problem....

Mine just turned on. Hope it's off in the morning. Battery was dead after just a few days. Had to boost it. That's when 4x4 light came on.

I had the same problem and it turned out to be an early warning sign of a faulty alternator.

I have an E53 3.0d and have the same warning but with some very real symptoms like as if the brakes are on whilst trying to drive ,i recently renewed my front end bushes could it just need recalibrating ??????

In my situation the brushes were fine upon disassembly. The voltage regulator itself was the problem. At first I just had the 4x4 dsc light on; then other lights would come on periodically in the brake system.

If you had a bad wheel sensor, the DSC, ABS and brake lights would be on. Most likely a battery or alternator that is not charging the battery.

But would this give the juddering symptom ?

In your case, the ABS is kicking in because it sense a wheel that is not rotating (probably due to a bad wheel sensor). Some time it's not good to hi-jack another person thread because most of the answer is directed toward the original poster.

If you have a problem, just start your own thread.

point taken ! btw it was my front right abs sensor!

Thanks for posting the solution to your problem. Many time people come on this forum posting about their problems but when they fix their problem they fail to provide the solution or cause, so the thread is worthless to anyone else with a similar problem.