Transmission Error - United Bimmer Community

**doughboyea** · 12-05-2006, 08:19 PM

So I'm driving to work one afternoon and while not driving aggressively, this friggin light pops on. According to the manual, your suppose to call a dealer asap and have it checked out. Here is what it looks like:

When the light is on, the transmission is in emergency mode, staying only in 3rd gear (automatic) the entire time.

Dealer said it is probably a sensor in the tranny. Just, I don't know if it's a massive procedure in order to replace that sensor. This car is just costing me SO much money. I think it's time for a trade up....

Dough

witeshark · 12-05-2006, 08:20 PM

Awe frustrating. Hope they have a quick fix.

**RSF5** · 12-06-2006, 12:10 AM

Yeah that sucks. I could just be the sensor, was your tranny acting up?

**doughboyea** · 12-06-2006, 06:16 PM

Nope, just the emergency mode kicked in. I'm just wary of the cost to repair, I'm not sure if the sensor is inside or accessible from the bottom of the transmission.

Dough

**c1apton** · 12-06-2006, 07:42 PM

99% of the time it's corrosion buildup on the connection at the sensor since it's somewhat exposed to road grime, moisture, etc... Whenever the sensors' current is fluctuating or disconncted or interupted the trans will always go to "limp mode"

**BMWLotAttendant** · 12-06-2006, 08:38 PM

Good luck with that one. The last X5 I drove when that light popped on, got a new tranny.

I think it's more serious than you don't want it to be. I'd consider thinking about getting a newer (not brand new) car. I hope I'm wrong, but this light doesn't come on for a reason.

Update us about what the dealership says.

**doughboyea** · 12-08-2006, 10:20 PM

Well, I'm not too sure it's a complete transmission failure seeing how the light does go out after the electronics on-board reset themselves. I have an appointment set for Dec. 21st, that's when the loaner is available. The appointment is really for the Inspection I, but I'm going to make sure that I bring that glitch up. I guess we'll see what happens sometime in that week.

Dough

**doughboyea** · 12-22-2006, 10:19 AM

Dealer called, 7:30am today.

Among a whole list of things wrong with the car, regarding the transmission....

"...your transmission is slipping between 4th and 5th gears. This is not a serious issue at this time, however, eventually, you will need a new one."

Price to replace: $5,606.96

That price is for a re-manufactured transmission.

Fuck this BMW,

Dough

**Sky226** · 02-12-2007, 02:06 PM

so did you get it fixed? my car had the same issue too.

First it was that tranmission indicator light and ended up with check light engine on. it said my fuel injector 1 is faulty. so i replaced the fuel injector 1 at one of the local bmw shop and paid about $400.
The shop reset everything and then two days later, the battery indicator light comes on. again, took it to same shop and they said my battery was not good. so again, another $180 for new battery.. and now, I still have that tranmission issue.

it's only happened during the morning time (maybe cold weather?) as in first time start up and happened during in "Parking" mode. If i turn off the engine and restart it again, it goes away.. so right now i'm very confuse with it. I am not sure it has to do with Tranmission value? or Slipping Gears..

( The car only has 65K Miles on it..

Sky226
03 325I

**doughboyea** · 02-12-2007, 05:18 PM

Well, first, no, I didn't get it fixed. Fuck it. I'm getting a new car, refer to the General Automotive Section for that.....

For me, they said that it was slipping gears. Whether or not they just wanted my money for a new tranny, I don't know. I do know, however, that the computer in my car is not original, in fact, its for the wrong model. I get ALOT of false indications. Lights, check engine, transmission? etc.

When I turned off my engine after that gear symbol appeared, and I restarted it, it was still there, however, when I left the car off for 15 min (same as a cold boot on a computer) then it went away. Hence why I mentioned my car not having the original computer. I am no mechanic by far, but, it could just be that my car specifically is registering that transmission error because the computer is fucked up, plain and simple. For you, it may be the same, but I do not know.

I'm sorry that I really didin't answer your question, perhaps someone with more knowledge can.

Dough

PS, I am getting rid of this fucker REAL soon.... and at this point, I don't care how much I get for her, I just want it out of my life. Fuckin POS Bimmer.

**TheEloquentMime** · 03-20-2007, 07:23 PM

I have the same friggin problem. Flushed the tranny fluid which made it worse. Dealer says a new torque converter will do, looking at 5k+.....

I'm probabaly gonna trade her in too...

**Sky226** · 04-02-2007, 09:36 PM

here is an update...

I don't know who to trust and believe..

so I took the car to BMW Dealer and Dealer told me that the charging system is not correct.. and recommended me to take a car back to the shop where I replaced the battery.

The local shop check out my batter and said my alternator charging was good and told me that I need to update/reprogrammer the computer to see if the problem still there..

so then I took the car back to BMW Dealer since I've some history of complains w/ transmission and dealer told me it's an alternator and need a replacement w cost of $950. :

Some how my transmission is not getting correct voltage...

Now, I am way confused.. should I pay $90 to reprogram and see if the problem fix (or) just go w/ what a dealer say..

if reprogram doesn't work, i am pretty sure needs to replace the alternator..

I also saw on different post that re-programming fixed some vehicle..

**doughboyea** · 04-03-2007, 06:24 AM

I'll respond.... though I don't see how this really relates to my problem...

But anyway, I had a similar issue with having to have the computer reprogrammed. It cost me $50 and was pointless. The following day, all the electronic issues came back. Upon my own investigation, it turned out that the OBC in my car wasn't meant for my car. It came from a convertible 3 series which explained a lot of the issues I was having.

I don't know about reprogramming the transmission. If you need a new alternator anyway, go with it and see what happens. Though, replacing the alternator could be cheaper if you buy the part from the dealer and install it at a local shop.

dough