1998 Z3 can't climb hills

[tr4guy]

My 98 Z3 has been having trouble shifting lately. When I come to a stop and then start out it doesn't always shift into first gear. If I push the A button on the auto/manual shift button it will shift into 1st gear. Also when I try to climb a hill it doesn't want to shift down and it lacks power to accelerate. I have to shift manually sometimes into 2nd gear to get up the hill. I have changed the camshaft sensor and a torn boot on the MAF but the problem persists. My mechanic says no codes are showing up to help with the diagnosis. Any suggestions or ideas of how to solve this would be appreciated.

[Yonkers320is]

My 98 Z3 has been having trouble shifting lately. When I come to a stop and then start out it doesn't always shift into first gear. If I push the A button on the auto/manual shift button it will shift into 1st gear. Also when I try to climb a hill it doesn't want to shift down and it lacks power to accelerate. I have to shift manually sometimes into 2nd gear to get up the hill. I have changed the camshaft sensor and a torn boot on the MAF but the problem persists. My mechanic says no codes are showing up to help with the diagnosis. Any suggestions or ideas of how to solve this would be appreciated.

Did you check transmission fluid level? And you might have more luck on the z3 subforum..

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[Turbohugh]

New mechanic that checks transmission fluids?
* This is typical behavior for low fluid and if not remedied [if it is low fluid] that's a quick way to burn up your friction plates .. aka Need a transmission.
Oh and if its a 4 cylinder this is considered a feature not a problem
All jokes aside fluids like Yonkers said..

[JimLev]

Moving this to the Z3 forum.

[Blacklane]

Are you are saying that the engine lacks power to climb hills? (I'm deducing that, since you replaced the camshaft sensor and MAF boot). That is usually caused by a clogged catalytic converter. Sometimes the downstream O2 sensor will fail due to pieces of catalyst hitting it, but usually the only symptom is lack of power under high loads. You can sometimes hear a broken ceramic rattle under the car if the converter has been damaged from something like a speed bump.

[tr4guy]

how is the Catalytic Converter teasted???

[jimmyfloyd]

Are you are saying that the engine lacks power to climb hills? (I'm deducing that, since you replaced the camshaft sensor and MAF boot). That is usually caused by a clogged catalytic converter. Sometimes the downstream O2 sensor will fail due to pieces of catalyst hitting it, but usually the only symptom is lack of power under high loads. You can sometimes hear a broken ceramic rattle under the car if the converter has been damaged from something like a speed bump.

This is what happened to mine. PO had run something over and apparently broke the catalyst. For me, I learned that when it was happening, if I banged on it with a hammer for a couple whacks, it would start working again. I could not get the car to go over 25-30 mph when it was happening. Ran fine when it wasn't. Mine was a 5 speed, 4 cyl as well if it makes a difference. My catalyst was relocated to a spot next to a buddy's garage to further test the solution, which proved to be the issue, and come spring it will be replaced.

[tr4guy]

[QUOTE=Yonkers320is;29970095]Did you check transmission fluid level? And you might have more luck on the z3 subforum..

I have a response to my post to check my transmission fluid but my Z3 handbook says there is no need to check the tranny fluid since it a lifetime fluid and sealed. How do you check it if needed???

[Cremaster]

1998 Z3 1.9L Dinan Stage 3.

I need man splaining.

[rf900rkw]

It's not the fluid level. If the level was low, it would not make it start in the wrong gear. You would start off in 1st and it would slip and chatter like crazy.