Automatic Trans problem - United Bimmer Community

**htrdlin** · 04-21-2012, 09:51 AM

'Morning all"
Car is 1982 320i and is having a shifting problem. Shifts fine from 1st to second, shifts from 2nd to 3rd when the car is cold, but when the engine reaches normal operating temp it wll not shift frm 2nd to 3rd. It also downshifts from3rd to 2nd when the speed drops below 40 mph while gettin up to operating temp. I have changed the fluid twice, it was really dirty, but not burned. I also dropped the pan and cleaned it so it looks like new and replaced the screen. I'm counting on you to HELP me out so I can continue driving this great little car. "hava Good Day" Richard

DEATH2000 · 04-22-2012, 08:47 AM

Did you replace the transmission filter as well? Gave you heard of the "stomp test"? You may need to do that to see if their are any stored codes.

**htrdlin** · 04-23-2012, 06:24 PM

What the heck is a stomp test? As far as codes go I wasn't aware that the '82 320i had a plug in for a code reader. Also I have searched the whole trans. system, even in the pan and under the screen and I can't locate a filter. Am i going blind

or just not looking in the right location.
Hava good day,

DEATH2000 · 04-23-2012, 09:32 PM

That's the thing. The E30 doesn't have a diagnostic port because it's OBD-I. The stomp test is how you determine if their are any codes. With the ignition in position 2 stomp on the gas pedal 5 times in 5 seconds. The check engine light should flash. In a morse code style, the check light will flash indicating the code. One flash then a pause is 1. 2 flashes then a pause is 2, and so on. The 4 digit sequence is the stored code. Go to YouTube and type in E30 stomp test to see it.

As for the transmission, the filter is located inside the pan. Should be visible when you take the pan off. If you need I can show you with a diagram.