Transmission not cooperating
 

Hello, I recently purchased a 94 740i Dinan that is in mint condition except for the transmission, it refuses to work. It seems to take extra effort to get out of park, and once in a gear selection, it just sits there like a log, even when the gas is applied. Can this be a valve body problem? or a filter? The fluid doesn;t look like it was ever changed, and the previous owner stated that it has BMW lifetime fliuid in it. I am hoping that htis is not a pump or worse yet a rebuild issue. can anyone help me? Thanks,
Mike

omigod. . . lifetime fill. . .

i would probably try changing it, but i have heard that at this point it may induce tranny slippage. . .

Thanks, but slippage at this point is still better than nothing at all... I just got sticker shock at the cost of a filter for one of these things. $61.95 plus tax, and shipping.... OhmyGosh, as my daughter would say.... Still cheaper than a new tranny. Keep up the replies. thanks,
Mike

Call Kirt in this link before you do anything-He may be able to diagnose the problem over the phone. http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e32/7966045-1.html

BTW the cost of the filter pales next to the cost of the fluid. The wrong fluid is sure death for the transmission and off the shelf ATF is definitely the wrong fluid.

Thank you, I will call him on Wed. Thank you.
Mike

..i got an answer to this one.

There is a cylinder in teh transmission with a ball in it that, when you put it into park, reverse..etc it moves..this ball becomes worn and gets smaller, making it hard for it to come out of its resting position in park.

Happend to my friends 1994 740i, they had to rebuild a part of the transmission. I believe it was around $1000 to fix.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.... yeah! I was kinda hoping it was that. Granted it could still be something else, but this is what I was thinking. I read an article that on e38.org that suggested that, but the car still ran, it just didn't like coming out of park.... Well if a VB Rebuild it is, I just found someone selling it on e-bay for 169, I think I should check into it. bt no hurry, still has 24 days left on it.
Mike

The worn ball usually locks out reverse if I remember correctly but that isn't the only ball in the valve body.

ah. well then maybe its not that. Didnt know that only locks out reverse.

Hmmmm, Ineresting. I guess calling Kirt is still the imediate annswer, and probably a valvebody rebuild is definitely to be done... Looks like no quick fix for this.