E34 4HP22 auto tranny shift delay to 4th top gear

[bmwpower]

Just started noticing this. It take a while for me to upshift into 4th (top) gear. All other shifts are fine.

ONLY happens when it's car is cold. When it warms up (couple mins driving), it shifts fine.

Before now it would upshift fine (@ around 54MPH), even when cold.

Am I facing impending doom?
Do I order the 5 spd swap stuff now?

I just fixed a recent vacuum leak which may have started around the same time the shifting problem appeared. I wonder if I should disconnect the battery and try again?

Thoughts?

[Binjammin]

I <3 cake?

[bmwpower]

I <3 cake?

Thank you for your thoughts. :)

[bmwpower]

Any ideas people?

[tonyroc14]

didnt we have a thread on this same exact thing, like last week?

[bmwpower]

didnt we have a thread on this same exact thing, like last week?

I dunno. Mine was started last week.

[bman10]

Have you replaced the filter, or check the level of fluids? It maybe something as simple as that or it could be a trans solenoid. Which are not to hard to replace and can be tested with the pan off which is also a good time to put a new filter in. Or like mine mechanics have told me that without cracking my tranny open they cannot fix it.... My car has 240k on it and taking it apart with that many miles I believe will just lead to more problems. But there is always a remain for 2k plus labor... well dam thats what these cars are worth. Even with my connections because of my job it still would cost me almost half of what mine is worth. I want a new car!

[bmwpower]

Have you replaced the filter, or check the level of fluids? It maybe something as simple as that or it could be a trans solenoid. Which are not to hard to replace and can be tested with the pan off which is also a good time to put a new filter in. Or like mine mechanics have told me that without cracking my tranny open they cannot fix it.... My car has 240k on it and taking it apart with that many miles I believe will just lead to more problems. But there is always a remain for 2k plus labor... well dam thats what these cars are worth. Even with my connections because of my job it still would cost me almost half of what mine is worth. I want a new car!

Replaced fluid and filter 7k ago. Fluid level checks out, but I have not checked it when it's cold (which is when the problem occurs). I've always checked it when it's hot per Bentley.

My tranny is running about 200*F when on the highway and around town and about 215-230*F when I get off the highway after a fast drive.

I'm wondering if my fluid could be too high, although I've checked it and it appears fine yet it's always hard to tell the fluid level on these cars when it's near the full mark. I did note that it took a little more fluid than mentioned in Bentley the last time I filled it up.

[tonyroc14]

What kind of fluid did you use. I think you are supposed to put an additive in the fluid. At least i did when i did my tranny. I forgot what the additive does, but it has something to do with pressure??? But, if it's only doing it when it's cold, then i would assume it's fine. How do you know what temp it is

[bmwpower]

What kind of fluid did you use. I think you are supposed to put an additive in the fluid. At least i did when i did my tranny. I forgot what the additive does, but it has something to do with pressure??? But, if it's only doing it when it's cold, then i would assume it's fine. How do you know what temp it is

I've never heard of an additive. I believe I used Valvoline Maxlife the last time (red bottle).

I have a trans temp gauge in my dash.

[tonyroc14]

idk. I am like, why do i need to buy this, and he's like, changed the atf, to this kind, ill do a little research and let you know what i find.

[ThreeM30s]

Castrol have the best synthetic I think- it added a good year or 3 to my 4HP22EH. It was having trouble engaging the toque converter lock up ion 3rd and 4th and it disappeared I did the change. However these old boxes come apart quite easily and the clutches are only $6 each. Best to pull it or get a spare one to work on, remove the valve body, pull it down and clean it all up (in a nice, clean place) and replace the clutches...

Either that or dump in expensive fluid and pray.... ;) as it might only last a little longer.

Hint: Check your electrical connections- heat can always affect them. The tranny connects to a tranny computer in the ebox. Dielectric grease is your friend if you suspect them to be corroded (clean em first). There is one on the top Left side of the gearbox... do they salt the roads where you are? Salt could get to it if someone hasn't put it back right.

Is it really cold where you are perhaps? It should prefer to stay in 1,2,3 (like it does in Sport mode) if its cold.

[bman10]

BG makes a auto tranny additive real cheap. most dealerships have it.

[THEhomelessONE]

yes, the same thing happened to my 4hp22

then my transmission would start slipping under hard acceleration, after a few months, then one day, i heard a loud bang, and poof, the car wouldnt move anywhere, now i have the car at my uncles shop, i got lucky though, he had another 4hp22 laying around

the reason it happened was because these transmissions need synthetic, or a conventional oil with a high flash point, when parked or in neutral, the clutches dont fully disengage, so the oils temp starts to go up, and it gets degraded, also you should never rev in park or neutral

i would do a 5 spd swap, but i dont have the time or knowledge to do it :P

just use a nice synthetic next time, im going to use mobil 1

also i think you can do a rebuild, but some people said that the problem just came back later on?

[bmwpower]

So you seriously think it's a "fluid" type thing? Could be.

Synthetic...yikes...gonna cost me, but I should probably give it a try next change.

Incidentally, I have not been having the problem now that the weather is warmer out. Seems likely to be a fluid problem as synthetic would probably flow better at lower temps.

[m60b30530i]

y

when parked or in neutral, the clutches dont fully disengage, so the oils temp starts to go up, and it gets degraded, also you should never rev in park or neutral




:D rev :rolleyes

[THEhomelessONE]

So you seriously think it's a "fluid" type thing? Could be.

Synthetic...yikes...gonna cost me, but I should probably give it a try next change.

Incidentally, I have not been having the problem now that the weather is warmer out. Seems likely to be a fluid problem as synthetic would probably flow better at lower temps.


early signs of a dying tranny, i say find a new one, i didnt, and i broke my diff, and got a new tranny, save urself the bs, find a new one now, and use synthetic, and youll be fine

[E34535i]

mine took a poop and i went with the 5 speed swap......never again will i drive an auto..... auto= boring ride 5-speed= :evil2:buttrock
:killshot: :camper

[pushpins]

For some reason when its cold, it helps pushing the "e" button even when its really in "e" mode. Just the first 5-10 minutes or something.

It has always been slow on the last gear, and my oil and filter is new. Now i couldnt care less if it craps out. It just makes me buy a 5 speed sooner..

[THEhomelessONE]

i want to do a 5spd swap in my 7, but im a noob, and wouldnt know where to start lol

and i dont have the time :[

oh well, very nice e34 ingardj