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Thread: Transmission Program + Error Code NEED HELP

  1. #1
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    Transmission Program + Error Code NEED HELP

    Hey Everyone,

    Car Is 1990 535i build in 89 auto trans

    So tonight I was driving around and while on the gas pretty hard, I heard a boom in the front and on my dash an error code reading "trans program+" popped up. I then smelt something that smelt like burning so I stopped. I tried moving forward again and the car (to my basic understanding of the problem) was in 3rd gear. This meant it would rev up pretty high before moving. I turned off the vehicle and turned it back on. The error code was gone but the problem was still there. At this time my brother and I did a little bit of research and decided to drive it to my dads house that was near by in "limp" mode. When we got there, I checked my trans fluid and it was so low it wasn't on the dipstick. Also it still smelt burnt. I have now parked the car and left it there for the night. I read on E34.net that I should check a few things including battery, alternator, etc and I will start this soon. I did just replace the battery though. I also read that two people fixed theres with two different methods including one of a transmission service and a sensor. My dad is very handy with cars and has a good friend that works on a lot of really old cars including BMW's so I will ask them for help too but I was thinking that the first thing I would do is do a trans fluid flush and see what that did. Im wondering what all of your thoughts are on the matter. Thanks in advance for any and all advice given.

    -TJ

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    First of all fill up the ATF according to instructions with running engine and shifting thru the gears, details here http://www.europeantransmissions.com...ansService.pdf

    Then make a test drive and see what happens, and then look at my website under fixes>>>Diagnosis - Gearbox>>>ZF-4HP22 mechanical fault finding http://twrite.org/shogunnew/topmenu.html

    Any leaks you can find under the car from ATF? Smelling brunt ATF is not the best sign, maybe the A-clutch got damahed. Also that repair is on my website under fixes>>gearbox
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by shogun View Post
    First of all fill up the ATF according to instructions with running engine and shifting thru the gears, details here http://www.europeantransmissions.com...ansService.pdf Then make a test drive and see what happens, and then look at my website under fixes>>>Diagnosis - Gearbox>>>ZF-4HP22 mechanical fault finding http://twrite.org/shogunnew/topmenu.html Any leaks you can find under the car from ATF? Smelling brunt ATF is not the best sign, maybe the A-clutch got damahed. Also that repair is on my website under fixes>>gearbox
    I didn't see any leaks under the car. I will do this and get back to you. Thanks

  4. #4
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    One more things, you said to do the procedure for without a dipstick but I do have a dipstick?

  5. #5
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    I did not say that. The link above includes the procedure with or without dipstick. Of course the 4HP22 has a dipstick.
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by shogun View Post
    I did not say that. The link above includes the procedure with or without dipstick. Of course the 4HP22 has a dipstick.
    Oh my bad, so today I talked to my shop teacher at school and I'd say he's a pretty smart guy. He told me that first gear and reverse both use the a clutch so if reverse works then it can't be this? What's your opinion?

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by TJ21 View Post
    Oh my bad, so today I talked to my shop teacher at school and I'd say he's a pretty smart guy. He told me that first gear and reverse both use the a clutch so if reverse works then it can't be this? What's your opinion?
    Get hold of a copy of the ZF Repair manual for the 4HP22 and check the fault finding table. Under Lever position: D, Fault: 'no drive' one of the possible causes listed is 'clutch A defective'. When you get your copy, you could consider rolling it up and hitting teacher on the head with it

    FWIW, transprog is not a code. Codes are stored in the transmission control module. If changing the ATF and filter and adjusting the shift linkage don't help, you might want to have them read. They will tell you where to look for any faults. When you get transprog, you get all the pressure the system can muster and yes, the box puts you in a high gear. That doesn't mean the engine should be revving. It means the car should pull away slowly.

  8. #8
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    Your teacher might be smart, but the real specialists which know the details on these transmissions are here on the forum. Print that out on my page what I told you before and show it to your smart teacher
    Forward gears = Clutch A
    Reverse = Clutch B

    Or for easier understanding I have made red arrows for A-clutch and B-clutch here http://s71.photobucket.com/user/shog..._view.jpg.html
    Here all clutches are shown in a 4HP22/24, A,B,C,D,E,F http://www.autozone.com/repairguides...00c152801b277d

    FWIW, transprog is not a code. Codes are stored in the transmission control module. If changing the ATF and filter and adjusting the shift linkage don't help, you might want to have them read. They will tell you where to look for any faults. When you get transprog, you get all the pressure the system can muster and yes, the box puts you in a high gear. That doesn't mean the engine should be revving. It means the car should pull away slowly.
    Yes, trans program is a system protection mode, also known as limp home mode.
    Last edited by shogun; 04-29-2015 at 10:39 PM.
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by shogun View Post
    Your teacher might be smart, but the real specialists which know the details on these transmissions are here on the forum. Print that out on my page what I told you before and show it to your smart teacher
    Forward gears = Clutch A
    Reverse = Clutch B

    Or for easier understanding I have made red arrows for A-clutch and B-clutch here http://s71.photobucket.com/user/shog..._view.jpg.html
    Here all clutches are shown in a 4HP22/24, A,B,C,D,E,F http://www.autozone.com/repairguides...00c152801b277d

    Yes, trans program is a system protection mode, also known as limp home mode.
    Cool thanks, today I didn't have much time but I filled the ATF and put in about 1.5 quarts.. I then drove the car with no changes, I unhooked the battery to reset the computer and will try again tomorrow

  10. #10
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    You can have a boat load of stored faults. But unless they are current, they are disregarded by the TCM

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by whiskychaser View Post
    You can have a boat load of stored faults. But unless they are current, they are disregarded by the TCM
    What does that mean?

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by TJ21 View Post
    What does that mean?
    Which bit don't you understand?

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by whiskychaser View Post
    Which bit don't you understand?
    That they are disregarded

  14. #14
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    And what's tcm

  15. #15
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    TCM is transmission control module. When you get a fault it stores a code to help you diagnose the problem.

    Lets say you have faulty speed sensor. That would trigger trans prog and a code would be stored. You replace the sensor, start the car and the transmission now works fine. You drive off into the sunset. The code is still there and you do not need to clear it. Some diagnostic equipment cannot tell if the fault is current or not. With those, you would have to read the codes, clear them and then see which, if any, come back

  16. #16
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    I'm pretty sure that by now it's the a clutch, the cheapest I found for this is about 130? I'm now wondering how hard it is to do an a clutch and also was thinking about just replacing the whole thing.. thinking pic n pull? What are my options? Same Trans or can I choose a different

  17. #17
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    Anyone know? What auto transmissions would fit in my car without any mods? And what cars are they off of?

  18. #18
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    A ZF 4HP22, but not any, I explained that here http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...4hp22-question
    I assume your 4HP22 has a 7-pin connector, so you need one with a 7-pin connector and not 8-pin, so your choice is from E34 535 and E32 735, NOT E30, E23, E24 etc.
    And count the pins on the connector.
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by shogun View Post
    A ZF 4HP22, but not any, I explained that here http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...4hp22-question
    I assume your 4HP22 has a 7-pin connector, so you need one with a 7-pin connector and not 8-pin, so your choice is from E34 535 and E32 735, NOT E30, E23, E24 etc.
    And count the pins on the connector.
    How can I for sure find out if mimes a 7 pin? Or can you be for sure?

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by TJ21 View Post
    How can I for sure find out if mimes a 7 pin? Or can you be for sure?
    Disconnect the plug from the tranny and count the pins

    Or just make a note of the ZF model number on the plate on the side of the tranny. It will begin with 1043.
    If you use that number you will get the correct replacement/parts.

  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by shogun View Post
    A ZF 4HP22, but not any, I explained that here http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...4hp22-question
    I assume your 4HP22 has a 7-pin connector, so you need one with a 7-pin connector and not 8-pin, so your choice is from E34 535 and E32 735, NOT E30, E23, E24 etc.
    And count the pins on the connector.
    Pretty sure the e32 would have an 8 pin connector...

    Go ahead and bite. Plenty for everyone.

  22. #22
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    Just to put it into perspective, they put 9 different models of the 4HP22 into the 535i. And that is just the EH ones. From OP's build date, I'd say he has a 1043 010 689 or 1043 010 695.

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by Binjammin View Post
    Pretty sure the e32 would have an 8 pin connector...
    No, Sir, only up to the 08/88 repectively end of 1988 (depending on country spec), after that 7-Pin on the ZF 4HP22 as well as the ZF 4HP24 in E32.
    By model year, by valve body models
    1st Version, Early "E-7", 5 Solenoid 86-89
    2nd Version, Late "E-7", 5 Solenoid was introduced in 1988 and used up thru Mid-1989. This version includes a solenoid for reverse lockout.
    3rd Version, "E-9", 4 Solenoid was introduced in Mid-1989 and used up thru 1994.

    Housings of 22 and 24 are same, but there are numerous changes in the 24 , first off:
    Springs with different rates are incorporated, next the torque converter diameter is increased to 280 mm, then the bearing surface of the torque converter is longer to take the stronger loads, the converter lockup clutch diameter is increased to 300mm, the transmission bell housing is larger due to the increased converter size, the a tranfer plate is 15 mm wider in order to accept the larger a clutch, the stator wheel shaft is now mounted with 6 countersunk screws for a tighter connection with the transfer plate, a new pump body was designed for the longer converter shaft bearing, the splines on the input shaft are longer, both sealing rings on the input shaft are cast iron, the a clutch has a larger diameter and the clutch friction surfaces are increased in size also, the number of plates in the b,c and d clutches was increased by one in each,the one way clutch for 2nd gear has been stenghtened and riveted together, the oneway clutch for 3rd gear was changed from a roller type to a locking body type for greater torque, the planetary gear for 4 is much stronger now with forged webs, the output shaft diameter is increased and 2 holes are provided for more lubrication, the output flange has a larger bolt circle to take more force, the pan is deeper, the filter is different for the deeper pan


    For example my 11/1988 E32 750 Japan spec has a 8-pin 4HP24
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  24. #24
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    That makes sense. The car I pulled mine out of was an 88 MY.

    Go ahead and bite. Plenty for everyone.

  25. #25
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    I do not want to make it too complicated for the thread opener, but just for you info: if you have a 8-pin 4hp22 and want to change to a 7-pin, it is possible with modifications. We found that out about 10 years ago on the German 7-forum, details are on Johan's website http://bmwe32.masscom.net/johan/gear...rbox_swap.html
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

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