Multiple warning lights

2004 X5 4.4 w/performance package, 83k miles.
3 symptoms occur erratically:
1. The 4 x 4 warning light appears.
2. The tire inflation, 4x4, ABS and Brake lights appear.
3. Symptom 2 occurs and the Trans Failsafe Prog message appears and I lose 6th gear and the ability to put it in Sport mode.

Assuming it might be an electrical gremlin related to an old battery I recently changed the battery but the symptoms continue. Pulling over and shutting off the engine, then restarting, seems to cure the Trans Failsafe Prog message and 6th gear and Sport mode are available again, but the other alarms are not always cleared. Letting it sit for 10 minutes seems to clear all the symptoms.
Any ideas?

This is similar to a problem that is well documented on the E39. The E53 X5 is basically an E39 with AWD/XDrive. Electronically they're very similar in lot of ways like ABS, etc.

Click here.

Thanks for the info PropellerHead- very through diagnosis of some of my problems! Any idea about the Trans Failsafe Prog message and the loss of 6th gear?

Originally Posted by SRB Driver

Thanks for the info PropellerHead- very through diagnosis of some of my problems! Any idea about the Trans Failsafe Prog message and the loss of 6th gear?

That happened to me in my 3.0 when I needed a new alternator. Has yet to happen in my 4.8is.

FYI I found additional info at http://www.fixya.com/cars/t1747737-b...l_safe_program. Some of the info is pretty scary ($).

It turned out to be the alternator.