My engine fail safe program light came on now my BMW X5 2006 will not start

BMW has been using electronically controlled automatic transmissions in most models since the late '80s. These transmission systems employ a transmission control unit which controls electrical solenoids to manipulate the various control and shift valves and functions in the transmission valve-body. When the transmission control unit detects a problem that it "thinks" could be damaging to the transmission or engine, it goes into a fail-safe or "limp" mode. In this mode, the transmission will function in reverse normally, but in forward it will operate in only one gear (whether you have the shifter in D, or any of the lower gears). This will typically be 3rd or 4th gear, depending on the model. It will start in this gear and stay in this gear with no shifting. You would experience this as sluggish acceleration and higher than normal engine speed at about 40-mph and above.
If you must drive the vehicle when the transmission is in the fail-safe mode, accelerate gently and keep the road speed lower than full highway speed.
Earlier models do not employ fault codes and must be diagnosed manually. Late models do employ fault codes and a diagnostic/scan machine can be used to check and read the faults to assist in diagnostics. Note that this is not your common OBD-II engine management fault code tool. This is what A BMW dealer or a properly equipped independent shop would have for full vehicle system diagnostics and coding operations.

Depends why the Failsafe was triggered. Read the codes would be a good way to start. Anyway, since the car wont start, it may be the crankshaft position sensor, which will cause a trans failsafe and prevent the car from starting.

BMW has been using electronically controlled automatic transmissions in most models since the late 80s. These transmission systems employ a transmission control unit which controls electrical solenoids to manipulate the various control and shift valves and functions in the transmission valve body. When the transmission control unit detects a problem that it thinks could be damaging to the transmission or engine, it goes into a fail-safe or limp mode. In this mode, the transmission will function in reverse normally, but in forward it will operate in only one gear (whether you have the shifter in D, or any of the lower gears). This will typically be 3rd or 4th gear, depending on the model. It will start in this gear and stay in this gear with no shifting. You would experience this as sluggish acceleration and higher than normal engine speed at about 40 mph and above.

If you must drive the vehicle when the transmission is in the fail safe mode, accelerate gently and keep the road speed lower than full highway speed.

Earlier models do not employ fault codes and must be diagnosed manually. Late models do employ fault codes and a diagnostic/scan machine can be used to check and read the faults to assist in diagnostics. Note that this is not your common OBDII engine management fault code tool. This is what A BMW dealer or a properly equipped independent shop would have for full vehicle system diagnostics and coding operations.

you need to enter the code for the radio. its in safe mode.

check your cruise / speed limiter control
check battery voltage
check crankshaft position sensor

The check engine light is because all check engine light codes are caused by components that affect emissions. It's not actually an engine problem, it's a problem with either your O2 sensor, MAF sensor, fuel/air ratio, pyrometer, or exhaust.
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BMW OPS diagnose and programming tool

Check for codes and you may need to replace trans Input/Output sensors.

Replace filter and fluid. Still happens.....could be a solenoid. Past that, better call Aamco---meaning it's beyond both of us.

Hello This is Mike,,

Sometimes.... Sometimes this will take care of some of those faults and codes, and it only takes a few minutes to do. I know your problem is not exact as this reset method says, but however you would be amazed on this fixes a lot of things, it like a cheap way to reset computer and fixes a lot of things back to default mode. Try it and let me know. Mike

IT'S VERY EASY TO RESET THE TRANSMISSION'S COMPUTER. HOLD GAS PEDAL DOWN. TURN THE KEY TO THE NUMBER TWO. CONTINUE TO HOLD THE GAS PEDAL DOWN FOR THIRTY SECONDS.RELEASE THE GAS PEDAL AND PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR TEN SECONDS. NOW YOU CAN TURN THE VEHICLE ON. THAT SHOULD TAKE IT OUT OF SAFE MODE


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When the DSC Dynamic Stability Control light is ON your traction control is OFF. It will sometimes trigger the ABS light and the Rev Limiter it is an engine protection FAIL SAFE mode.
Check your brake switch on the brake pedal, this sounds like the problem wen replaced it will reset the Rev limiter, if the ABS light comes Check the wheel sensors