BMW X3 owners may find it frightening when they get the dreaded “Drivetrain Malfunction” error alert. Are there any steps you can take in response to this alert? The purpose of this article is to explain everything.
I’m looking forward to getting started.
Your BMW X3 has what kind of drivetrain?
There are many components that make up your X3’s drivetrain, for instance, The wheels spin and the SUV moves thanks to these parts and the engine. The engine transfers power to the wheels through these components. Your BMW X3 Drivetrain consists of the following components:
- Engine: Power is generated by the engine, and it is transferred to the drivetrain by the drivetrain.
- Transmission: You can change the gears to speed up or slow down.
- Driveshaft & Differential: Power is transferred to the wheels from the driveshaft and differential.
- CV Joint & Wheels: The CV joint is responsible for transferring torque, as well as moving the axles up and down.
Your X3 is propelled forward by all of these parts!
BMW X3 has a “drivetrain malfunction”, but what does it mean?
The drivetrain has been briefly explained, so let’s proceed. What does a BMW X3 drivetrain malfunction mean? An engine control module (ECM) issue has been detected in your X3 engine, thus the “drivetrain malfunction: drive moderately” message.
There are several specific components that may be affected, as well as a number of fault codes that trigger this warning. (We will discuss the most common causes in more detail below.)
Obtaining an OBD II scanner to run the codes yourself is the only way to determine whether they are correct. Identifying the cause of the drivetrain warning this way will be easier.
There are several signs of a malfunctioning BMW X3 drivetrain:
Drivetrain malfunctions can lead to other symptoms as well. Among them are:
- “Drivetrain malfunction: Drive moderately. Maximum drivetrain output not available” Message
- When idling, the car shakes
- During acceleration, the engine loses power
- An unpleasant smell of fuel
- Smoke from exhaust
- When driving, the transmission “slips”
- Shifts that happen unexpectedly
Drivetrain Malfunction Alert in BMW X3: What causes it?
Here’s what I know about BMW X3 drivetrain warnings from my experience as a mechanic.
Note: There are the same problems that can cause drivetrain malfunction alerts for BMW X3 E83, F25, or G01 models.
1. A dying battery:
All of your BMW’s electrical components are controlled by the battery in your X3. Your engine might have trouble starting, running smoothly, and more if it’s on its way out. Your vehicle can also display a “drivetrain malfunction” warning if its battery is weak or dying. It may be necessary to replace the BMW battery if it is older than three years.
2. Spark plugs that are worn:
In addition to worn spark plugs, drivetrain malfunction alerts are often caused by a malfunctioning clutch. Your engine’s cylinders produce power by rotating due to the spark plugs, which ignite the fuel injected into them. The X3 engine’s misfiring will be caused by worn-out ignition coils, which means your engine won’t produce any power.
A drivetrain malfunction alert may occur if the engine stalls or runs poorly due to this problem. X3s that run rough or stall may need their spark plugs replaced if they are worn.
3. Coils that are defective:
You need to replace your BMW X3 coil packs over time like you would the spark plugs. Spark plugs ignite the fuel injected into the engine cylinders with the help of coil packs, which send electricity to the spark plugs. It is possible for the ECM to trigger a drivetrain malfunction error if one or more coil packs fail.
4. Poorly functioning high-pressure fuel pump(s):
Fuel is delivered to the injectors in your car by high-pressure fuel pumps (HPFPs). The HPFP plays a vital role in the performance of your BMW X3. In some models, the failure of this pump will trigger a drivetrain malfunction error as well as an engine misfire error code. When you start your engine, you can detect a strong gas smell from the engine or under the hood if your HPFP is failing.
5. Fuel injector clogging:
Your BMW X3’s fuel injectors pressurize its cylinders to deliver fuel. These injectors can, however, become clogged with crud and gunk over time.
It is also impossible for an engine to receive fuel properly if injectors are clogged. Dirt and debris may clog your injectors, causing your engine to run at an inefficient level.
You might experience increased starting times or vibrations if your car has such a problem. Even the warning light for drivetrain malfunctions may be triggered. Your BMW’s engine runs smoothly if those injectors are kept clean.
6. The fuel pump is defective, resulting in low pressure:
A faulty high-pressure fuel pump can lead to drive train issues on your X3, as I mentioned above. From your gas tank, gasoline is transferred to the high-pressure pump by the low-pressure pump.
Stalls, slow acceleration, and slow acceleration will occur if this pump fails. A drivetrain malfunction warning light will illuminate in your BMW when the ECM detects this.
7. Out-of-date software:
When working on BMWs, I’ve encountered problems with outdated computer software. You’ll have trouble using your BMW if that happens. Fuel injectors will receive incorrect information from the engine control module (ECM). The software still needs to be updated even if you cannot see it.
In this way, you can ensure that your BMW’s ECM is giving accurate instructions. It may be possible to correct any issues with your car with a software update.
8. The turbo has blown:
BMW X3s with a blown turbo are also prone to drivetrain malfunction warning lights. In the event that you are out of an extended BMW warranty, this can be a relatively expensive process to replace.
When you run too much boost pressure for too long or overboost your engine, you can blow the turbo. The compressor wheel of the turbocharger may fail and blow out, requiring replacement. Another sign that there is a turbo problem is the “drivetrain malfunction” error message:
- Acceleration-related whining noise
- Power loss that is noticeable
- When driving, you notice white smoke
- Whenever you are going uphill, your engine works extremely hard
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What to do when an X3’s drivetrain malfunctions?
You should take your Bimmer to a qualified garage/BMW service center if you see this error message, as there are a lot of things that can cause it to occur.
It might be worth trying a few of these suggestions before you proceed:
- The system can be reset by disconnecting and reconnecting the battery terminals
- If the battery is over three years old, it should be replaced
- When the car has driven more than 50 to 80k miles, the spark plugs and coil packs need to be replaced
- A scan with an OBD11 scanner (preferably Carly or Bimmerlink) may be necessary if the above steps do not resolve the issue.
