Home » Uncategories » Distributor Gear Engine Control Unit Vg - Clutch Defective - Clutch in Open Position Bmw 2004 Bmw X3 UPDATED

Distributor Gear Engine Control Unit Vg - Clutch Defective - Clutch in Open Position Bmw 2004 Bmw X3 UPDATED

Distributor Gear Engine Control Unit Vg - Clutch Defective - Clutch in Open Position Bmw 2004 Bmw X3

Johnny is a longtime online writer and car enthusiast. As a BMW owner, he has years of experience fixing problems with their engines.

bmw-transfer-case-actuator-problem-and-fix

BMW Restriction, ABS, and 4x4 Warning Lights Come On

This commodity is an attempt to aggregate information in a single place regarding a defect in the 10 drive systems of BMWs that will typically affect ALL of the following models of BMWs at one point or another, typically around 80k-120k miles:

2004-2007 BMW X5 E53
2004-2010 BMW X3 E83

I include here a description of the problem, links to outside data and some information on my own experience fixing this consequence on a 2006 X3 E83 model. This article is for advisory purposes but and the reader assumes all responsibility for attempting to fix without professional help.

Having said that, with some basic automotive acumen and a few hours this upshot can be fixed for every bit little every bit $50 or less to replace just the transfer case actuator gear whereas a mechanic or dealer would conceivably charge $ane,500 to $two,000 or more to replace the transfer case actuator motor entirely (or worst instance scenario attempt to supervene upon the entire transfer case?).

Transfer Case Actuator Motor Replacement Gear

Indications/Symptoms of the Problem

The restriction, ABS, and 4x4 alarm lights all come on at the same time (see championship photo above)
There is an very audible rapid clicking noise that comes from the transfer case (approximately under the driver's seat underneath the car) but after the engine is turned off. The best way to hear this is to open the driver'due south side door when parked, turn off the engine and heed for the clicking dissonance (it may not happen EVERY time so endeavor it a few times). The noise should only final nigh 1-2 seconds, see the video included here for an instance of the sound.

If you have both of these symptoms then the culprit is very likely to be a stripped gear inside the transfer case motor. The transfer case actuator motor is a pocket-sized motor that is bolted on to the transfer case and tin exist removed and replaced (or repaired with a new internal gear).

If you lot DO NOT hear the clicking described the crusade could be something else (non covered in this article).

Spotter this video for an excellent clarification of the problem and removal and replacement of the transfer example actuator motor:

BMW Transfer Case Actuator Motor Gear Problem in Detail

So what'southward going on inside the transfer instance actuator motor? In short, there is a nylon (ie: plasticky) gear within the motor that is turned by a metal worm gear (a screw). Over time the nylon role gets worn down and stripped and does not turn whatever more. See the photos.

Fixes for the Trouble

If yous've determined from watching the video above that you accept this trouble you tin can fix it yourself by either replacing the entire motor unit of measurement (still somewhat expensive at $800 or and so just for a new motor), or you can go a step farther and replace just the motor gear by following along with the video below. You can society a new gear hands on Amazon with the provided link.

Actuator Motor Gear Replacement

My feel is that information technology took me about 3 hours to remove the actuator motor and disassemble/reassemble it and bolt it back on to the car. The hardest part was really just accessing the motor and torx bolts to get them off. Some basic tips would be:

Make sure y'all've let the automobile absurd significantly (overnight would be a good thought) before attempting.
You may demand some special female torx (star) socket bits for the bolts that hold the actuator motor on (link below).
Some universal socket joints for accessing the torx bolts (I had a difficult time getting my socket wrench to fit in the space, just was able to do information technology with a universal joint).

Some other Good Video on the Trouble (X5)

This commodity is accurate and true to the best of the author'due south cognition. Content is for informational or amusement purposes but and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

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