Possible bad transfer case actuator

cbradshaw18 · 12-12-2017, 03:37 PM

I have searched through the forums and have not found a problem exactly like mine. I have a 09 328i xDrive with 85k on it. Recently the awd started to malfunction. Only when i'm moving the car I will hear a clicking noise (kind of like a starter) and then the 4x4 light comes on. Once I stop moving the clicking stops and the light goes away. when I scanned the care for fault codes in ISTA it says that there is a transfercase malfunction. If I continue driving with the 4x4 acting up all 3 lights come on, the abs brake light and 4x4, and they stay on. Once all of the lights come on the codes thrown are the ones in the picture.

Sometimes when I clear the codes and take the car for a spin everything is fine and the front wheels do engage (we recently had a snow storm and I really need the xdrive system now). I have replaced the rear left wheel bearing recently and there was a magnetic tone ring in it. The tone ring was a lot weaker than previous wheel bearings though, I had to test it with magnetic viewing film because it wasn't strong enough to hold up a small washer (my other bearings cold hold up a wrench). To make sure it wasn't a faulty sensor I swapped the two rear ones and the sensors checked out okay. Next I checked the transfer case actuator and all of the gears checked out alright and when looking into the case everything seemed okay. With all 4 of my wheels lifted off the front wheels while spin but once there is a load on the car it begins to malfunction. I have also tested my battery and that seems to be okay as well, after sitting in the cold for about 2 hours it was at 12.3v and when the car is running it is at 14.4v. If the battery or wheel bearing is causing the problem I don't understand why I would hear a clicking/grinding coming from the actuator. I am not sure if the motor on the actuator is shot, or if my transfer case is shot. I don't want to just go buy the parts until I am sure they are the problem. Thank-you!

cbradshaw18 · 12-12-2017, 03:40 PM

https://ibb.co/jnvGxw

NiNeTyOne · 12-17-2017, 11:44 AM

If you hear a ratcheting sound when you turn the car off, it's almost certainly the issue.

I bought the part and did it myself in about 2 hours.

12-12-2017, 03:37 PM	#1
cbradshaw18 Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 328i xDrive Join Date: May 2017 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Possible bad transfer case actuator I have searched through the forums and have not found a problem exactly like mine. I have a 09 328i xDrive with 85k on it. Recently the awd started to malfunction. Only when i'm moving the car I will hear a clicking noise (kind of like a starter) and then the 4x4 light comes on. Once I stop moving the clicking stops and the light goes away. when I scanned the care for fault codes in ISTA it says that there is a transfercase malfunction. If I continue driving with the 4x4 acting up all 3 lights come on, the abs brake light and 4x4, and they stay on. Once all of the lights come on the codes thrown are the ones in the picture. Sometimes when I clear the codes and take the car for a spin everything is fine and the front wheels do engage (we recently had a snow storm and I really need the xdrive system now). I have replaced the rear left wheel bearing recently and there was a magnetic tone ring in it. The tone ring was a lot weaker than previous wheel bearings though, I had to test it with magnetic viewing film because it wasn't strong enough to hold up a small washer (my other bearings cold hold up a wrench). To make sure it wasn't a faulty sensor I swapped the two rear ones and the sensors checked out okay. Next I checked the transfer case actuator and all of the gears checked out alright and when looking into the case everything seemed okay. With all 4 of my wheels lifted off the front wheels while spin but once there is a load on the car it begins to malfunction. I have also tested my battery and that seems to be okay as well, after sitting in the cold for about 2 hours it was at 12.3v and when the car is running it is at 14.4v. If the battery or wheel bearing is causing the problem I don't understand why I would hear a clicking/grinding coming from the actuator. I am not sure if the motor on the actuator is shot, or if my transfer case is shot. I don't want to just go buy the parts until I am sure they are the problem. Thank-you!
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12-12-2017, 03:40 PM	#2
cbradshaw18 Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 328i xDrive Join Date: May 2017 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	picture https://ibb.co/jnvGxw
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12-17-2017, 11:44 AM	#3
NiNeTyOne Touring cars rock 351 Rep 907 Posts Drives: e91 330xi / 997 GT3 Cup Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: SEA iTrader: (0)	If you hear a ratcheting sound when you turn the car off, it's almost certainly the issue. I bought the part and did it myself in about 2 hours. __________________ Sportwagon Daily: I've done some stuff.
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