hard downshifts

[rattlesnake]

Hey all,
My 18 year old son drives a 2003 BMW 530i. Starting this past winter it started acting up when taking off. It seems like it will shift from 2nd to 3rd gear and then downshift back to 2nd real hard. It does not do it all the time just periodically. When we are up to speed in the upper gears it does not do it at all, and it runs and drives like it should. It doesn't do it when your getting in it hard either. We have no fault lights on the dash (except the service engine soon light, which has been on since we bought the car). Have I missed something by not addressing the service engine soon light sooner? Am I losing the tranny or what? I hear the trannys for these cars are not cheap, praying its not a bad tranny, cause he certainly cant afford it and neither can I. Any thoughts???

[bmwdirtracer]

We have no fault lights on the dash (except the service engine soon light, which has been on since we bought the car)

Wow, really? Did you think that light was an ornament?

It's a WARNING that something is wrong with the car, and the computers desperately want to tell you the problem, so you can get it fixed !!


Take the car to a quality BMW specialist shop that has BMW's ISTA diagnostic computer. Harsh shifting as you've referenced may be due to a large number of causes, from bad mass airflow sensor, to intake leaks, to out-of-date programming in the transmission computer, to lack of fluid in the transmission, to.....oh hell, you've had the transmission filter and fluid changed, I hope?

You know that car needs ~$2000 a year spent on maintenance and repairs, right? (Just like any car that cost ~$50k new). You know that all years this maintenance wasn't done ACCRUE?

If you're lucky, the shift issues are nothing more than an intake leak, a bad MAF, or a need to follow Service Bulletin SIB 24 03 03, and reprogram the transmission computer. Certainly, you need to change trans fluid and filter anyway.

But mainly, you need to get the car to a BMW technician, with ISTA, so he can read ALL the codes, in ALL the computers, as a beginning towards diagnosing and fixing the car.


Here's the SIB for you. Again, I caution that you must not assume this is the problem. You must talk to the computers with a real BMW diag computer. But I want you to understand how important it is to get the car to someone with access to all the correct info on the car.:


SI B 24 03 03
October 2006

Automatic Transmissions
Technical Service

This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. B24 03 03 dated June 2003.

[NEW] designates changes to this revision
SUBJECT
E39, E46, E85 with M54/M56 and ZF 5HP19; Harsh 3-2 and 2-1 Downshifts

MODEL
E39 525iA, 530iA with 5HP19 produced 04/02 - 11/02

NEW E46 325iTA, 325CiA, 325CicA, 330iA, 330CiA, 330CicA with M54 and 5HP19 produced 04/02 - 02/03

NEW E46 325iA with M56 (SULEV) produced up to 04/03

E85 Z4 2.5, Z4 3.0 with 5HP19 produced up to 11/02
SITUATION
Customer may complain of a harsh 3-2 and 2-1 downshifts (with "clunk" noise) when coming to a stop.

CAUSE
Incorrect programming dataset in EGS control module.

The incorrect dataset can be recognized by the "Amendment index" lower then 23, as displayed on the EGS module diagnostic identification page.

Amendment index lower then 23, indicates incorrect EGS dataset.

CORRECTION
NEW The improved EGS transmission control module software was introduced since DIS/GT1 CD V32.0 with 1st update and Progman V 7.22, or higher.

On a customer complaint basis only, reprogram EGS control module using the updated software.
PROCEDURE
NEW To reprogram EGS control module on 5HP19 equipped E39, or E46 vehicle using DIS/GT1 (up to the software version CD V45.0):
1. Connect vehicle to BMW approved battery charger.
2. Connect DISplus/GT1 loaded with CD32 1st update, or higher.
3. Select: BMW Coding/Programming
4. Select: 5 Programming, then right arrow
5. Select: 5 EGS Programming , then right arrow
6. Select: 1 Exchange control unit, then right arrow
7. Display appears First determine and then program basic control unit, then right arrow
8. Select 1 Determine basic control unit, then right arrow.
9. EGS, is the faulty control unit still installed in the car? select YES
10. Enter vehicle identification number as prompted. The automatic EGS module determination is performed. Scroll down through displayed part number pages.
11. At this point vehicle data and the required EGS software version numbers are stored in the tester for the automatic identification, scroll to the left
12. Select: 2 Program basic control module, then right arrow
13. Follow instruction: Chassis number, enter the last 7 characters of VIN. Is the number correct? Select YES
14. Disregard the next instruction: Install new basic control module, just go forward by pressing right arrow
15. Display will appear: There is new program version and new data version for this control unit. Depending on the control unit, programming may last between 4-16 minutes . First programming and then data are programmed. After programming, with diagnosis program, the fault memories have to be cleared. The adaptation values must be cleared after programming, then right arrow.
16. The next screen displays: The control module can be programmed X times, then right arrow
17. Follow the command: Please enter reading mileage.....Entry correct?. Select: YES
18. Start automatic programming? Select: YES
19. When programming starts, the following message is displayed. Program programming active. Voltage terminal 30......
20. After programming part is finished, the following message is displayed: Data programming active. Voltage terminal 30.......
21. After successful programming, message is displayed: Programming terminated.
22. Next, follow-up screen instructions for clearing of the adaptation values. Clear faults codes stored in the various control modules (DME, EGS, DSC) during programming process.

[NEW] To reprogram EGS control module on 5HP19 equipped vehicles using Progman:
1. Connect vehicle to BMW approved battery charger.
2. Connect SSS loaded with Progman V 7.22, or higher.
3. Select: BMW Coding/Programming
4. Select: appropriate model
5. Select: Load Software
6. Answer: NO to a question: Has the control module been replaced?
7. Select: EGS/SMG
8. Select: Program, and then: Update Software submenu. The measure plan will be determined and then displayed.
9. Select: Accept, and then: Start. Programming takes approximately 4 minutes .
10. After programming is completed, the final report is being displayed. Print the final report for your records.
11. Clear faults codes stored in the various control modules (DME, EGS, DSC) during programming process.

WARRANTY INFORMATION

[rattlesnake]

So I took the car to a certified BMW dealer for service. They said the car needs a new tranny, that it will go out soon. They said it shows numerous faults in the transmission. I have changed many transmissions in my day on the older cars, Mopars specifically. I am totally new to the BMWS. Can an average joe with a good amount of mechanical ability change one of these transmissions, or is there special equipment and tools required? Would I need to know some top secret voo-doo secrets?

[bmwdirtracer]

Swapping the trans is easy, on a lift, with the right tools. The entire exhaust behind the headers needs to come down first. Expect to break the studs at the headers; if this happens, you'll need an ox-acetylene torch to get them out.

If you want to take a shot at fixing this, change the filter and fluid (use correct Pentosin ATF-1), and keep your fingers crossed. It's a long shot, but I would try it myself.

[MIKYZZ4]

As Chris describes, a fluid-filter change may postpone the inevitable, worth the gamble!

[ross1]

So I took the car to a certified BMW dealer for service. They said the car needs a new tranny, that it will go out soon. They said it shows numerous faults in the transmission. I have changed many transmissions in my day on the older cars, Mopars specifically. I am totally new to the BMWS. Can an average joe with a good amount of mechanical ability change one of these transmissions, or is there special equipment and tools required? Would I need to know some top secret voo-doo secrets?

I suggest a second opinion. Your symptoms don't sound like inevitable failure to me.
There are lots of guys who when faced with a hard to diagnose problem will throw out the baby with the bath water.
Few dealerships have a transmission specialist and usually just swap out the entire unit rather than do much repairing.
Perhaps your local BMW club or someone here can suggest a shop with good transmission diagnostic skills.
Can you post up the official diagnosis with fault codes so some of the better informed here can speculate?
What did they say about the check engine light? As already mentioned a faulty MAF can cause the trans to shift hard.
was the update mentioned performed?
Oh, no voodoo needed to swap one but strong arms if doing this on your back, it's a heavy bugger.

[MauiM3Mania]

FWIW, the OP has a parallel discussion here if anyone wants to join.

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...9#post29610149

[rattlesnake]

OK, thanks for all the info guys. I am going to get a second opinion as suggested. I will also try to get the fault codes when I do so I can post them. How many different options for automatic trannys were available on this car? 2003 530i.

[rattlesnake]

A second opinion tells me that the transmission is in failure. They suggested getting a good used transmission to install. How do I go about making sure I have the right transmission when purchasing one. Are there several different ones for this vehicle? What years will fit? I am not afraid to install a transmission but want to make sure I get the same as I have so it will go right in.

[MIKYZZ4]

You can use a VIN decoder for info, here:https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/vin/decoder/online