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Hi I drive a 2001 740il and today the trans. failsafe program message appeared on my dashboard...i was wondering what was wrong with my vehicle and what that message really meant...also for the past couple of days i keep hearing these three beep beeep beep noises..I think its coming from my radio.. can you please tell me what I should do?

Submitted: 436 days and 14 hours ago.
Category: BMW
Value: $20
Status: AWAITING EXPERT REPLY
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Optional Information

2001 BMW 740il

Already Tried:
I am thinking it might have to do with the battery so i am getting my battery tested tommorow?..should i be doing that?

Accepted Answer

The message that appeared on you dashboard is indicating you transmission went into failsafe. Failsafe also known as a limp home mode will only let the transmission shift into third gear, as well as other precautions as to not internally damage the transmission. Normally the next time you start the car and drive it it will act normal, it all depends on what the problem actually is. The only way to really tell what the problem actually is; is to scan the car for faults. Working were I currently work I would recommend that you bring you car in as soon as possible to have the faults checked out and repair. If I knew you personally I would tell you that it may have been a fluke; one of the sensors was misreading a value for a second. I would keep driving the car. If the trans failsafe comes on again soon then I would have the car diagnosed. What ever you decide to do the car should have save the fault that set off the failsafe light, so you can have it checked out months from now.

I believe the beeps are unrelated. There is a memo function in your radio, or navigation (what ever your car is equipped with). The memo beeps to let you know when it is 1 minute to the next hour. This may have been accidentally turned on.

If you found my information helpful please click accept! If you have any more questions regarding this issue, do not hesitate to ask. Good feedback also helps me out!

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Expert: Howie
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 9/10/2008

BMW Mechanic

Currently a lead BMW technician. BMW technician since 2001.

436 days and 14 hours ago.

Reply

I also forgot to mention that another message came on a day ago before the trans. failsafe program message...and that was the service engine soon...do you think that there is a possibility it can be associated with the fluid levels and/or the battery?

Posted by Howie 436 days and 13 hours ago.

Answer

Unless you have recently had battery issues I would rule out the battery. The fact that the engine service soon light came on at about the same time that the trans failsafe light came on lead me to believe that both of lights came on because of the same problem. A lot of the sensors that the engine computer looks at is also forwarded to the transmission computer, and when they both see bad information they will both turn on waring lights. I do not think fluid levels caused you lights to go on.

From experience the you intake could be leaking air through its rubber seals (especially as the temperatures get colder out side and the bad rubber seals shrink) or you could have a bad mass air flow meter. Both of these repair are expensive so it is well worth it to have the faults scanned and the engine visually inspected.

One long shot that may fix you problem is just replacing the air filter. I do not think this will fix it though.

If you have any more questions regarding this issue, do not hesitate to ask. Good feedback also helps me out!

436 days and 13 hours ago.

Reply

If the battery light does appear...should i just think that its the battery only or i should i still get the car fully examined by my mechanic? and do i have to get everything as in the air flow meter etc. done from the dealer?...and approximately how much would the dealer charge?



Edited by XXXXXX on 9/10/2008 at 11:51 PM

Posted by Howie 436 days and 13 hours ago.

Answer

What I meant by recent battery issue is the car cranking slowly on start up, or you had to jump start the car a couple of times. If you have not needed to do either of these things than you car probably does not need a battery.

What the battery light should do: With the ignition on and the engine not running the light should be on.
Once the engine is started the light should go off after the engine is running for a few seconds.

If the battery light does not come on with the ignition on and the engine not running, then you have a charging system problem. If the light does not go off after the car is running then you also again have a charging system problem. In both of those cases I would take you car to you mechanic.

436 days and 13 hours ago.

Reply

This is my first time using JUSTANSWER BMW. You made my first experience here a great one. Thanks for all your all your help Howie..looking forward to talking to you again but hopefully my 740il will have no more further problems..thanks.

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