[tmay_24]

Hello, I am reaching out to this forum for some guidance/advice for an issue I've been having with my 2008 328xi.
To sum it up, my 4x4 has stopped working and my dash is lit up.
The lights are: ABS, DTC, 4x4, and BREAK. The codes associated with my issues are: 5F3A & 5F13
I've done some searching and narrowed it down to my transfercase actuator motor. I can confirm I have no 4x4, no ABS, and no DTC. A few posts on forums have stated that you would hear a grinding noise when the car shuts off, but that does not occur in my case. I have had this problem for about 5 months now (should've addressed it sooner), but the light is constantly on after start up and is not intermittent like some people have stated on forums. Mechanically, the car seems sound (no jittering, no loss of power etc.) Occasionally I hear a slight ticking noise, which is related to RPM, from somewhere under the car (not 100%). Before I order a new actuator, I really want to 100% confirm this is the problem. Could it be something completely unrelated, such as electrical or sensor related? I've heard that a faulty speed sensor also displays similar lights on the dash.
anything helps! thanks!

[jadams161]

If you buy a wifi adapter and BimmerGeeks ProTool you can use the app to operate the actuator motor. And read codes.

[micvite]

Originally Posted by jadams161

If you buy a wifi adapter and BimmerGeeks ProTool you can use the app to operate the actuator motor. And read codes.

I have the same codes, protool and ista can't actuate the motor since my kl30 is dead (0 volts) even though 30g has 12v... there's power in the wires, so not really sure where to look for issues, passenger floor board was flooded, but if I hook power to the wires going to the transfer case directly from the wires going into the control module you can hear the transfer case activating without issues (then deactivating when I pull power)

[TomAngelo]

I am looking to find some solutions and causes for the same issues. I am new to old BMW's and code searching etc, but what I've found so far is that, except for the actuator, possible causes can also be:

a bad wheel speed (ABS) sensor(s) or
a bad wheel bearing(s).

It may be that they are not broken, but just blocked by dirt/grease/debris.
Same thing for the actuator; the worm gear inside of it could be full of grease.

Here are some videos I found helpful:

and for inside of the actuator:

Good Luck!

[Peter Morrin]

Each wheel has a vehicle speed sensor. Rears seam to be a bigger problem than fronts. Typically they will through a code. I have found that rear sensors come in two different lengths. You may want to measure yours to confirm you get the correct length.