Help- abs, traction (4x4), and brake lights are all on (05 x3 3.0 auto)

I have the same vehicle, 2005 3.0 X3, and can confirm that the problem was the transfer case actuator. I just had it fixed last week and it cost me $1,388 in San Francisco. It now dives perfectly fine and the clicking noise is gone. I know that if you do not fix it when the lights come on the ABS will not work and power is only delivered to the rear wheels.

As explained to me by the mechanic, this actuator is a servo motor that determines how much torque to deliver to each of the wheels.

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Originally Posted by DrivinDan

I have the same vehicle, 2005 3.0 X3, and can confirm that the problem was the transfer case actuator. I just had it fixed last week and it cost me $1,388 in San Francisco. It now dives perfectly fine and the clicking noise is gone. I know that if you do not fix it when the lights come on the ABS will not work and power is only delivered to the rear wheels.

As explained to me by the mechanic, this actuator is a servo motor that determines how much torque to deliver to each of the wheels.

How many miles? fixed at the dealer or Indy shop?

Looks like I'm not the only one with this problem. All three lights came on while I was driving Saturday. I let the car sit till today and drove it to the service center. They confirmed that it was the transfer case actuator. Looking at the prices you guys are posting I am very fortunate that it was covered by the extended warranty. Since someone else asked previously about spec, mine is a 05 X3 3.0 auto with 50k miles on it.

Seems like I saw something here about just a small drop in voltage could cause strange warning lights. Does anyone recall this???

Originally Posted by buford

What is CPO?

Certified Pre-Owned warranty. Covers most mechanicals to 6 years/100k miles. It is a warranty which comes from BMW for used cars (within certain limits).

Originally Posted by X3-terrestrial

How many miles? fixed at the dealer or Indy shop?

About 53,000 miles and Indy.

I have a 2006 X5. Last year i had the same problem over and over again. At one point my car would brake on it's own while I was driving. That was caused by a Bad Alternator. The dealer told me that if there is too much or not enough juice going into the system, the computer throws off all kinds of messages. I replaced the alternator and all light were gone. A year later I have the same problem again. However this time I have that clicking sound that everyone referred to when I turn off the car. I checked the alternator and it is working fine. I did the battery reset and that did not work. I checked the Steering Wheel Sensor and it did not work. I guess it is the Transfer Case Actuator Motor. I think I will take it to the dealer for a quick scan. Anybody know a place that sells actuators cheaper than STEALERS?

I feel like every major problem there is with this car happened to me.

Julik, it seems you are in the wrong forum (X3). Anyway, I hope you will solve the problem soon.

Could a brake fluid flush somehow contribute to this? Dealer told me I was due for a brake fluid flush, so I took it to an indy mechanic yesterday. Today, on my way to SBUX, while i pulled in their parking lot the three lights (brake, abs, 4x4) came on and it's like the whole car wanted to shut down. Rough engine idle, I could barely turn into a parking spot... had to take two spots, i'm glad it wasn't rush hour.

i've got my appt set with BMW of Dallas tomorrow. I suppose I'll ask my advisor to look at the transfer case actuator first.



*sigh* when it rains car maintenance, it pours!

Two weeks ago I had my VANOS solenoid replaced. Last week, the dealer replaced my knocking sensors... and now this!

I'm so glad I bought the extended warranty.

A brake fluid flush should not do that!

Certified Pre-Owned.

I parked my X5 outdoor in the death of winter for about 2 weeks with steering locked all to the right. I drove it this afternoon and it has all 3 yellow lights on. I tried the steering lock to lock and all 3 lights are gone now. All 3 lights were still there when I lock steering to right but all gone the minute I lock steering to the left. Cheers,

get a rebuilt/ low mileage used actuator off ebay and replace it yourself, save yourself about $800, there are tutorials on youtube that show how to replace it.

Originally Posted by fivepointnine

get a rebuilt/ low mileage used actuator off ebay and replace it yourself, save yourself about $800, there are tutorials on youtube that show how to replace it.

If you are talking to Alexdfw, he already sold his X3. The previous poster indicated the lock-to-lock steering trick worked for him, worth a try for any one having this issue.

Originally Posted by buford

What is CPO?

Certified pre-owned warranty. The day I picked up my E83, I got almost the half hour home, and got the myriad of lights. The next day, the car wouldn't start, had to have it jumped. Took it back to the dealer. The battery was bad (original battery on the '08), so the replaced the battery. It was still throwing a code and light, so they replaced the steering angle sensor. 3k miles later, no worries. As a precaution, I had them change the transfer case fluid at 60k. Only charge was for changing the fluid, because the 4x4 light hadn't come on yet to indicate it was time to change the fluid.

Originally Posted by X3emist

Seems like I saw something here about just a small drop in voltage could cause strange warning lights. Does anyone recall this???

Well I can offer this evidence. Recently installed daeos harness and wired to the red/white lead in the fuse box. I was all happy until the trio of indicators lit up a few days later. My indy said there were many electrical-related fault codes present, but found no problems with the transfer case. He suggested I find another way to power the daeos harness as that dme is very sensitive.

This weekend I was attempting to use a "add-a-fuse" tap device on the 10amp fuse to power the daeos, and as soon as the key turned the three lights came on again. Obviously the electrical system doesn't like my wiring changes and is detecting a problem.

It could be that one of my wire taps isn't clean. Just no idea but thought this might be useful info.