! "Trans. malfunction" - issue persists and looking for quick assit

[Codes2]

Hi all,

This morning on my way into work, at a red light my car popped up the message "Trans. malfunction", "Drive moderately. Continued driving possible. Reduced acceleration..."

This is the first I've seen this message.
It was really poor to accelerate as indicated.
I took a side street, restarted, message cleared. (no OBDII codes prior or post restart)
I drove to work, all seemed well, including manual shifts, hard acceleration, etc.

I then tried to back into parking spot and it kicks out of gear.
I put to neutral, then reverse and it gives 1 second, then kicks out of gear.
The selector indicates correctly... I don't have suspicion there.
The same message comes back on.

I'm quite concerned.
Wondering if I should drive it home, to the dealers, to decent BMW indi, or if it's just topping up fluid. (no indication to do so, and never changed fluid in car to my knowledge)

Thanks for your insights!


** Edit: I do have the K+DCAN cable and 'software'.
I'm just not sure which software to run to try and check for error messages specific to trans (none on OBD2).
I'm reading up by searching, but so far this seems different than others.
Perhaps the closest I've seen is to check the "mechatronics seal" as it can leak, causing gear drop outs.

[Codes2]

Well, I took it out over lunch, to see if better, worse or the same.
Certainly worse.
I'm in favor of leaking based on the linear worsening of the issue.
It now has issues in Drive, slipping badly, thumping off the line, etc.
Bringing to indi tonight. Hope it makes it.

Very open to input/thoughts.

[floydr]

Drive it to a shop. Probably should call first to find out who's going to be cheaper to replace the transmission. Unfortunately, the tranny is probably toast. There are a few - very few - shops that will rebuild the tranny. There is no topping up of fluid. The only, ONLY, part-way thing you can try is to have someone change the fluid - this is a $500-$800 cost (USA dollars) - and pray that that alleviates the problem. But it's only a matter of time that it's going to fail.

How many miles?

[Codes2]

Scary. 175,000 km. I don't find that to be much in my experience. My last 335xi and 328xi both had more with 0 trans issues.

[jlevite]

That cable won't do shit for you. you need to talk to transmission computer. it is running in safe mode to keep it from damaging it self. You need to get the transmission codes, clear adaptations, and reset the transmission. it is not hurt now or you would have got a very different message. don't fear. Oh, transmissions that are "toast" don't run in safe mode. Most likely the car has developed adaptations due to fluctuations in temp, fluid thickness etc. Once again to the Helpful out there TRANSMISSIONS THAT ARE TOAST DON'T RUN IN SAFE MODE, NOR DO THEY TELL YOU TO CONTINUE DRIVING. SAFE MODE ALLOWS FOR FORWARD ( 3RD GEAR) AND REVERSE. CAN BE AN ELECTRICAL SOLENOID, CAN BE TORQUE LIMITER, CAN BE JUST ABOUT ANYTHING EXCEPT THE HORROR STORIES MADE UP BY THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. IT WANTS YOU TO CORRECT THE MALFUNCTION SO IT CAN RETURN TO NORMAL DRIVING MODE. ++++++++++++++TRY MANUAL ACCELERATION PEDAL RESET OF TRANSMISSION, IT MAY CORRECT IT FOR ABOUT A WEEK, THE ADAPTATION WILL RETURN SAFE MODE AGAIN. YOU WILL KNOW IT IS BASED IN CODE OR ELECTRICAL THEN AS YOU WILL DRIVE IT AND THERE WILL BE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. REALLY, PEOPLE OBVIOUSLY JUST MAKE SHIT UP. CARS WITH CATASTROPHIC FAILURES DO NOT RUN IN SAFE MODE, AND ONCE AGAIN DO NOT SAY CONTINUED DRIVING POSSIBLE AS YOURS DID. DO THE RESET IT WILL ONLY TAKE A MINUTE TOPS

[Codes2]

Thanks.
I had it towed for safety.
It has no history before today of any trans symptom whatsoever.

I figured ISTA or something else I've downloaded would assist...
However, given the urgency, I will not self diagnose further.

I will of course update this thread with the results.
I'm voting for the mechatronics seal.

[jlevite]

IT WILL HAVE CODES FOR EVERY TIME IT PUT UP THE ACTUAL WARNING. You didn't need to tow it. Don't diagnose anything yourself that isn't on the DME.

[jlevite]

Have you done any work recently? Tune?







2011 328i Lci Msport, Euro box, 3 stage manifold, Active headers.

[Codes2]

Actually, somewhat.
I was thinking about that this morning.

I had an oil change on friday.
At the same time they looked for my oil and coolant leaks.
I'm thinking it's possible they disrupted something.

I drove it home on Friday after the oil change.
Left it parked Sat and Sun.
Started it Monday, followed by issues minutes later.

I called the garage, but they are so unfamiliar with BMW trans and such that it's been brought to a high end indi tech.


So... hopefully minor and external.

[Codes2]

So, the pump has zero pressure. Car goes nowhere at all. Pressure went to zero in 1 day. Repair or other is required.

1 - Between labor (removal of trans, opening, replacing the pump I could be looking at $3600 CAD.
2 - A used Transmission (70,000 KM) is $1200 + 800 labor, $2000 CAD total. (3month warranty)
3 - Rebuilding my own Trans with everything new is $3600 + $800 labor removed and installed. ($4400 CAD)

I'm inclined towards the used Trans being installed. Looking at the price I could have it done twice for less than a rebuild.

Still, open to thoughts. (hopefully not extreme, but moderated)

Thanks.

[jlevite]

you need a second opinion

[Codes2]

Pump in Trans died. Put in used one with 50k miles. Was best option for price. Still not cheap after all the seals, fluids and labor. Seems to work though. Not pushed it yet, will give it a while.