Drivetrain failure

fatalius · 10-21-2022, 01:27 AM

Rather sad news today as my 3 month old X3M comp just stopped working outside my house. It started shaking as it was not able to hold idle rpm and after some seconds the motor died and was not able to start it again. I got a message "Drivetrain restricted" . So I had the car towed to the dealer and hope it is not something serious. Quite scary actually seeing the car lifted and towed like that

During the last weeks there were 2-3 times when there was a momentarily power loss, like half a second each, that I thought maybe it was the wheels slipping. But probably it is also related to yesterdays event.

PS: Really strange that you can not select Neutral gear when the motor is not working as this totally immobilises the car and makes towing it really difficult. Why did BMW do it like this?

Max Well · 10-21-2022, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatalius

Rather sad news today as my 3 month old X3M comp just stopped working outside my house...

Sorry to learn of your drivetrain issue, fatalius, and hope they can get it sorted quickly. Please let us know how everything turns out.

JDS · 10-21-2022, 06:54 AM

I thought I read somewhere that there is a procedure that allows some kind of release for this very situation. If not, then a specialist lift-away service is required to stop further system damage from trying to drag a “locked” drivetrain.

JDS · 10-21-2022, 07:26 AM

General
In some situations, the vehicle may need to be rolled a short distance without power, for example is a car wash, or may need to be pushed.

Engaging selector lever position N

Switch on drive-ready state while pressing the brake
If necessary, release the parking brake
If necessary, deactivate automatic hold
Press the brake
Engage selector lever position N
Switch off drive-ready state. Standby state then remains switched on and a Check Control message is shown. The vehicle can now roll.

Selector lever position P is automatically engaged after approximately 35 minutes.
If there is a fault, it may not be possible to change selector lever position.
Unlock the transmission lockout electronically if necessary.

If your starter motor can be heard turning over, you can also electronically unlock the transmission lockout.

Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Press Start/Stop button. The starter must be heard to start turning. Keep the Start/Stop button pressed.
With your free hand, press the selector lever to selector lever position N and hold it there until selector lever position N is displayed in the instrument cluster. A Check Control message is shown.
Release the Start/Stop button and selector lever.
Release the brake as soon as the starter stops.
Manoeuvre the vehicle…

suby01 · 10-21-2022, 07:32 AM

Sucks. OP is your X3 modded or stock?

fatalius · 10-21-2022, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suby01

Sucks. OP is your X3 modded or stock?

It is stock, so whatever it is, it is covered by guarantee at least.

fatalius · 10-21-2022, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDS

General
In some situations, the vehicle may need to be rolled a short distance without power, for example is a car wash, or may need to be pushed.

Engaging selector lever position N

Switch on drive-ready state while pressing the brake
If necessary, release the parking brake
If necessary, deactivate automatic hold
Press the brake
Engage selector lever position N
Switch off drive-ready state. Standby state then remains switched on and a Check Control message is shown. The vehicle can now roll.

Selector lever position P is automatically engaged after approximately 35 minutes.
If there is a fault, it may not be possible to change selector lever position.
Unlock the transmission lockout electronically if necessary.

If your starter motor can be heard turning over, you can also electronically unlock the transmission lockout.

Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Press Start/Stop button. The starter must be heard to start turning. Keep the Start/Stop button pressed.
With your free hand, press the selector lever to selector lever position N and hold it there until selector lever position N is displayed in the instrument cluster. A Check Control message is shown.
Release the Start/Stop button and selector lever.
Release the brake as soon as the starter stops.
Manoeuvre the vehicle…

Oops I kinda missed that part in the owners manual! Thank you so much, now I know how to do it next time it hopefully never comes

Ramlimited4500 · 10-21-2022, 11:34 AM

Maybe you got bad gas? I ran a little too much E and it caused a lot of issues

Oldgixxer · 10-21-2022, 12:22 PM

Exactly the same symptoms when one of the HPFP's shit the bed in my '20 M550i

fatalius · 10-21-2022, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldgixxer

Exactly the same symptoms when one of the HPFP's shit the bed in my '20 M550i

That's exactly what I am also suspecting. We will see on Monday when they get their hands on it

Oldgixxer · 10-21-2022, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatalius

That's exactly what I am also suspecting. We will see on Monday when they get their hands on it

Well,if it is indeed the pump it's a quick fix if they have the pump on hand. Mine had to be shipped from Germany so I had to wait a week but the M8C loaner they gave me made it much better lol!!!

Keep us posted

fatalius · 10-21-2022, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldgixxer

Well,if it is indeed the pump it's a quick fix if they have the pump on hand. Mine had to be shipped from Germany so I had to wait a week but the M8C loaner they gave me made it much better lol!!!

Keep us posted

What a generous dealer! I got a 520d touring xdrive that although it is a roomy comfy car, its lack of power compared to the X3M is astonishing!!

Oldgixxer · 10-22-2022, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatalius

What a generous dealer! I got a 520d touring xdrive that although it is a roomy comfy car, its lack of power compared to the X3M is astonishing!!

Was a beast,but the 2-tone interior was not for me lol. Definitely the best loaner I ever had

Rob_G77 · 10-22-2022, 06:28 AM

OMG that interior combination is hideous! They probably can't sell it so they use it as a loaner.

fatalius · 10-26-2022, 03:20 PM

UPDATE: I have received back my X3M in working condition after they changed all 6 spark plugs that were wet, if I understood well. They cannot exclude that everything was because of bad fuel although a visual exam did not show anything. Just hope that there will not be any further similar problems.

Oldgixxer · 10-27-2022, 05:24 AM

Glad you got it sorted out

10-21-2022, 01:27 AM	#1
fatalius Private 102 Rep 81 Posts Drives: BMW X3MC LCI Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	Drivetrain failure Rather sad news today as my 3 month old X3M comp just stopped working outside my house. It started shaking as it was not able to hold idle rpm and after some seconds the motor died and was not able to start it again. I got a message "Drivetrain restricted" . So I had the car towed to the dealer and hope it is not something serious. Quite scary actually seeing the car lifted and towed like that During the last weeks there were 2-3 times when there was a momentarily power loss, like half a second each, that I thought maybe it was the wheels slipping. But probably it is also related to yesterdays event. PS: Really strange that you can not select Neutral gear when the motor is not working as this totally immobilises the car and makes towing it really difficult. Why did BMW do it like this? Attached Images Last edited by fatalius; 10-21-2022 at 09:10 AM..
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10-21-2022, 06:54 AM	#3
JDS Lieutenant 192 Rep 495 Posts Drives: 2021 MBB F97 X3MC Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: East Midlands iTrader: (1)	I thought I read somewhere that there is a procedure that allows some kind of release for this very situation. If not, then a specialist lift-away service is required to stop further system damage from trying to drag a “locked” drivetrain. __________________ Drives: 2021 F97 X3MC LCI - Marina Bay Blue Metallic Gone: 2019 G16 840i GC - Frozen Bluestone Metallic Gone: 2018 F80 M3C - Sakhir II Orange Metallic Gone: 2015 F80 M3 - Mineral Grey Metallic
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10-21-2022, 07:26 AM	#4
JDS Lieutenant 192 Rep 495 Posts Drives: 2021 MBB F97 X3MC Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: East Midlands iTrader: (1)	General In some situations, the vehicle may need to be rolled a short distance without power, for example is a car wash, or may need to be pushed. Engaging selector lever position N Switch on drive-ready state while pressing the brake If necessary, release the parking brake If necessary, deactivate automatic hold Press the brake Engage selector lever position N Switch off drive-ready state. Standby state then remains switched on and a Check Control message is shown. The vehicle can now roll. Selector lever position P is automatically engaged after approximately 35 minutes. If there is a fault, it may not be possible to change selector lever position. Unlock the transmission lockout electronically if necessary. If your starter motor can be heard turning over, you can also electronically unlock the transmission lockout. Apply the brakes and keep them applied. Press Start/Stop button. The starter must be heard to start turning. Keep the Start/Stop button pressed. With your free hand, press the selector lever to selector lever position N and hold it there until selector lever position N is displayed in the instrument cluster. A Check Control message is shown. Release the Start/Stop button and selector lever. Release the brake as soon as the starter stops. Manoeuvre the vehicle… __________________ Drives: 2021 F97 X3MC LCI - Marina Bay Blue Metallic Gone: 2019 G16 840i GC - Frozen Bluestone Metallic Gone: 2018 F80 M3C - Sakhir II Orange Metallic Gone: 2015 F80 M3 - Mineral Grey Metallic
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10-21-2022, 07:32 AM	#5
suby01 Cowboy Astronaut Millionaire 2320 Rep 2,887 Posts Drives: 2020 X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: CT, USA iTrader: (0)	Sucks. OP is your X3 modded or stock? __________________ The Youtubes https://youtu.be/gzinBJjxIUY Insta https://www.instagram.com/gatosandturbos/
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10-21-2022, 11:34 AM	#8
Ramlimited4500 Private 44 Rep 63 Posts Drives: BMW x3m Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Los angeles iTrader: (0)	Maybe you got bad gas? I ran a little too much E and it caused a lot of issues
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10-21-2022, 12:22 PM	#9
Oldgixxer Captain 1967 Rep 826 Posts Drives: nothing fast Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: The Lowcountry,SC iTrader: (0)	Exactly the same symptoms when one of the HPFP's shit the bed in my '20 M550i __________________ -'24 X5MC,'22 430i -'09 Busa,'05 GSXR-1K(GT28R turbo)'00 Busa(GT3582) Gone but not forgotten: -'22 X3MC,'20 M550i,'18 X2,F30 328xi,'07 E63 AMG (1st W211 63 in the 11s),997 C4S Cab,CLS55 AMG,E55 AMG,C55AMG
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10-22-2022, 06:28 AM	#14
Rob_G77 Major 1159 Rep 1,364 Posts Drives: Nothing Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Regina, SK iTrader: (0)	OMG that interior combination is hideous! They probably can't sell it so they use it as a loaner.
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10-26-2022, 03:20 PM	#15
fatalius Private 102 Rep 81 Posts Drives: BMW X3MC LCI Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	UPDATE: I have received back my X3M in working condition after they changed all 6 spark plugs that were wet, if I understood well. They cannot exclude that everything was because of bad fuel although a visual exam did not show anything. Just hope that there will not be any further similar problems.
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10-27-2022, 05:24 AM	#16
Oldgixxer Captain 1967 Rep 826 Posts Drives: nothing fast Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: The Lowcountry,SC iTrader: (0)	Glad you got it sorted out __________________ -'24 X5MC,'22 430i -'09 Busa,'05 GSXR-1K(GT28R turbo)'00 Busa(GT3582) Gone but not forgotten: -'22 X3MC,'20 M550i,'18 X2,F30 328xi,'07 E63 AMG (1st W211 63 in the 11s),997 C4S Cab,CLS55 AMG,E55 AMG,C55AMG
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