Transmission Failsafe Program [Archive] - Bimmerforums

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Bigdjag

10-10-2010, 02:33 AM

I just went into my car today went to start and I got a message to check brake linings and the light on the dash is on. Went to start started ok but then trans failsafe programe message came on and the car wont drive are the 2 symptoms connected. I had drove the car on a 400 mile round trip a week previous with no problems got home parked the car no problems at all. This is the first time it has been started in a week and a half as I work away from home and it usually starts no problem. Anybody have any suggestions. Thanks in advance . Dave

m3studio

10-10-2010, 02:49 AM

Failsafe: Could be lots of things. First, could be as simple as a weak battery. Test that. Next easiest thing is wiring that you could check see if its connected and not split or water damaged. Next is the fluid level check. Other than that next is internals.

Try checking the codes and clearing them. Give it another shot. If you don't have a device to clear it than disconnect your (-) neg from battery for 10min which will clear it. Make sure its in Park. Turn the key once and pull it from Park to N and back in Park. Connect battery and give it a try. Otherwise your left with professional diagnostics, other than that. Best of luck and let us know whats up

Bigdjag

10-10-2010, 05:40 AM

m3studio

10-10-2010, 06:53 AM

No one said the car wouldn't start. Batteries go bad but the engine will still start, so test it. The cranking amps or voltage could be down, ask anyone.. Batteries play a role in the tranny

jfj707

10-10-2010, 08:32 AM

Surley if it was a weak battry the car wouldnt start but mine started fine but as soon as the ignition is switched to the on position (engine off) I get the trans warning. The car ran great on my trip with no problems at all I just parked it, left it for 10 days and then this happens i'm really stumped. I can understand if there was any trouble with the trans but mine was working perfictly no clunky shifts, no slipping. :help

To get an accurate assessment of your battery's health, it needs to be load tested. Batteries can also fail at any time, they don't necessarily give warning signs.

Low voltage wreaks havoc with these cars. Start simple and check that.

Bigdjag

10-10-2010, 09:32 AM

Thanks I will get the battery out and put on charge overnight and see what happens. :)

Bigdjag

10-12-2010, 02:48 PM

Update. Charged the battery still the same so pluged my disgnostics tool into it and got code P0702 Powertrain output speed sensor circuit malfunction. Anybody any ideas what this is and where it is.

darkstarmedia

10-12-2010, 03:31 PM

Sounds like the one of the speed sensors in the tranny... shouldn't be a big deal... you just have to drop the pan.

richard

tekazgtr1984

10-12-2010, 03:38 PM

Sorry to thread jack but what kind of diagnostic tool works? I'd like to run my car for codes as I'm having similar transmission issues which may be battery-related.

Bigdjag

10-12-2010, 03:52 PM

Sorry guys read the code wrong its P0720

tommyb2b

10-12-2010, 03:57 PM

Whats with all the Failsafe threads lately?? The min I get my Trans failsafe everyone else follows suit lol

tekazgtr1984

10-12-2010, 04:17 PM

Wish I knew but it sucks... I only got the message once but my trans. has been acting up ever since. :(

Bigdjag

10-13-2010, 04:06 PM

Right more tales of woe. Had the battery on charge all night, connected it this morning and cleared all faults disconnected again for about an hour. Reconnected and started car put into gear and still the same so thought I would take it for a drive to see if that might do anything. Car got up to speed ok slow as still in 5th and drove fine. While I was driving I shifted into neutral and switched the ignition off for about 10 seconds then started the engine and moved into drive no trans fault mmmmm I thought, pushed the throttle pedel and it changed down to fourth went to accelerate and the reves just went up no drive and the trans fail came on and shifted into 5th again. Tried this a couple of times and it did the same I could even change from 5th to 4th in manual but no drive I could see the box change down by looking at the revs but as soon as I went to accelorate woops into fail safe. Surley it cant be the gearbox that is knackered as it was working just fine before I parked it up for the 10 days I was away. I'm really p***ed off at this i;ve only had the car 6 months and was told it had a new gearbox 2 years ago. There is no oil stains on my drive so no leaks havent been under it yet to check but am going to change the oil and filter see if that makes any difference what oil is recommended. Fingers crossed http://the7seriesregister.co.uk/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif

nah2323

10-13-2010, 04:40 PM

It's a shame m3studio has no idea what he's talking about. OP. It can be a variety of things, but before we go throwing darts at it, can you give us some more symptoms please?

How many miles are on your car?
Do you live in a rural area with some dirt roads?
Has it been shifting weird?
Have you had any other odd electrical gremlins?
Has your ignition switch given you trouble in the past?
When TransFailsafe comes on, do your transmission immediately lock your car into third gear?
Can you use reverse?
Has your DSC/ABS/Brake light come on in the past without you touching any buttons?
Have you performed the cluster unlock to see what your alternator output voltage is at idle and and 1200+rpm?

Please get back to us on these items, and we'll gladly help you get this straightened out.

----------------------- Edit : doublepost

Based on your last post, the trans is shifting into 3rd (lockout) gear. You can play with the shifter all you want, but it wont change anything as long as transfailsafe is on.

So the car doesn't give you any trouble while its sitting still after you start it?
Transfailsafe comes on as soon as you accelerate in a drive gear?

Please answer these along with the above

Bigdjag

10-13-2010, 04:55 PM

It's a shame m3studio has no idea what he's talking about. OP. It can be a variety of things, but before we go throwing darts at it, can you give us some more symptoms please?

How many miles are on your car? 125000

Do you live in a rural area with some dirt roads? live in the country so the car gets long runs into town

Has it been shifting weird? No been working great

Have you had any other odd electrical gremlins? No

Has your ignition switch given you trouble in the past? No

When TransFailsafe comes on, do your transmission immediately lock your car into third gear? No it seems to go into 5th

Can you use reverse? Yes works fine

Has your DSC/ABS/Brake light come on in the past without you touching any buttons? No but the check brake linings came on at the same time and is still on

Have you performed the cluster unlock to see what your alternator output voltage is at idle and and 1200+rpm? Yes about 13.8 at idle and 14.1 at 1200

Hope this is of some help

Please get back to us on these items, and we'll gladly help you get this straightened out.

----------------------- Edit : doublepost

Based on your last post, the trans is shifting into 3rd (lockout) gear. You can play with the shifter all you want, but it wont change anything as long as transfailsafe is on.

So the car doesn't give you any trouble while its sitting still after you start it?
Transfailsafe comes on as soon as you accelerate in a drive gear?

Please answer these along with the above

Dave

nah2323

10-13-2010, 05:10 PM

It feels like fifth, i know. Very hard to get it moving from a dead stop. You almost have to rev it to 2200 or so just to get the wheels moving, right?

Please answer the bottom questions after the doublepost edit. That will tell us a lot also.

darkstarmedia

10-13-2010, 05:15 PM

sorry to thread jack but what kind of diagnostic tool works? I'd like to run my car for codes as i'm having similar transmission issues which may be battery-related.
inpa

nah2323

10-13-2010, 05:19 PM

+30 ;)

best diag tool evar!

Bigdjag

10-13-2010, 05:31 PM

So the car doesn't give you any trouble while its sitting still after you start it?

No only the check brake linings on.

Transfailsafe comes on as soon as you accelerate in a drive gear?

Yes as soon as I try to move forward it takes a lot of revs like you said 2200 and then the trans failsafe comes on. But also after starting I can select manual and while not moving can move the shifter up and down and watch the numbers go up and down but if I select first and try to move forward it goes into 5th by itself.

darkstarmedia

10-13-2010, 05:53 PM

sound like you may have popped your 1st gear clutch... may be gone... INPA will tell you... could also be a failed TC... could also be that your output speed sensor is bad...

Richard

astartes

10-13-2010, 05:56 PM

Since you've already gotten the P0720 code why not just replace the sensor? It's a $40 part, 24341218551 if I'm not mistaken. Continuing to troubleshoot while ignoring the one known problem you've got doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Besides, it will give you a chance to change the fluid and filter which can't hurt. Total cost in parts and fluid will be under $200.

FYI - 5HP24 failsafe locks into 4th gear. 5HP30 locks into 5th.

tekazgtr1984

10-13-2010, 06:04 PM

inpa

+30 ;)

best diag tool evar!

Where can I find this tool? :confused

darkstarmedia

10-13-2010, 06:05 PM

Where can I find this tool? :confused

PM inbound...

tekazgtr1984

10-13-2010, 06:18 PM

Thank you! :D

Fredsta170

10-01-2012, 09:57 PM

sound like you may have popped your 1st gear clutch... may be gone... INPA will tell you... could also be a failed TC... could also be that your output speed sensor is bad...

Richard

I'm going through the same, tranny shifts automatically slips the hold none it has 250,000 plus.
Time to rebuilt how much u think.

Bob L7

04-30-2015, 08:23 AM

Guys,

Please help...
I have a L7 1998 year model.It is V12.
I did around 1000 km on it since I have it...no problems at all.Amazing smooth ride.
Yesterday as I was driving...all perfect.parked for 15 mins and when I left I drove like 50 meters the gear slipped and I had the message "transmission failsafe program"...since then the car has only reverse working...when you put on "D" it doesnt move at all....any ideas?
Many thanks

MarkZ28

04-30-2015, 07:57 PM

On my 97 I got in Iowa, it went into trans failsafe and shufted funny. It was at my moms luckily so I unhooked the battery which caused the message to go off. On the way to Alabama, in Nashville rush hour of all time, lol, it acted like it was in 5th. It would take a lot of pedal to get it moving, probably the 2200 rpm. No trans failsafe mode came on though. I tried putting it in park it worked normal for about 5 seconds then did it again. Limped it along until I could get off the intrstate and unhooked the battery. Did fine after that the rest of the way home. Still shists kind of soft but does act normal otherwise. Hoping it lives long enough to afford a six speed swap.

xboss

05-01-2015, 05:20 AM