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Thread: 95 840ci auto - trans fail-safe prog - no error codes - starts any gear -wrong wires?

  1. #1
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    1995 840 CI auto

    95 840ci auto - trans fail-safe prog - no error codes - starts any gear -wrong wires?

    Please Hlp!


    So I've just bought this 840, the OBC is showing a "trans fail-safe prog", BUT there are no error codes showing and the car runs great.


    The garage it's at have started looking into it, but have found that the wiring into the 'gearbox display selector switch' does not appear to match the wiring diagram we have. Also the car starts in any gear whether the display selector switch is plugged in or not.


    when you turn the ignition the dash briefly shows which gear it's in, then the obc beeps and the display goes away, but you're free to start the car however you like.
    Also the car runs fine and the gear change is smooth.


    Here are some pictures of the wiring...



    I don't suppose anyone might have an image of what the wiring to the connector looks like on yours, or any idea of what might be going on here, or what we can test to find out?


    Massive thanks in advance!

    (Have also posted in bimmer uk)

  2. #2
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    You will have an error code - you need INPA to read it from the gearbox rather than the ECU. That selector switch that you are looking at is for the Transmission Position Indicator light strip only.
    The actual selector switch is on the gearbox - all explained here:

    https://www.meeknet.co.uk/e31/timms_...e_problems.htm

    However, if the gearbox is actually working fine then I bet it is the shiftlock solenoid error that you have! This error is becoming more and more prevalent as the electronics age - some models had a shiftlock solenoid to stop the shifter moving until the brake pedal was pressed - and you probably don't have one. The problem is that the gearbox computer (EGS) suddenly decides that it does have one and it doesn't work (as there isn't one fitted) and bungs up a TRANS FAIL-SAFE PROG message.

    The usual cure it to replace the EGS

    P.S. Find another garage....
    Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i


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  3. #3
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    I've just realised you probably have a 4.0 Ltr (M60) rather than the 4.4 Ltr (M62) - and they are slightly different. I still think that the cause of the error is the shift-lock solenoid error as there isn't much else that gives a TRAN FAIL-SAFE PROG and still allows you to operate the gearbox as normal (but without the dash display).

    What makes me think this is the wire colours in your photo's as they correspond to this page of the circuit diagram:

    https://www.meeknet.co.uk/e31/e31_95.pdf#page=260
    Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i


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  4. #4
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    THanks again for all the help,

    Yes it's the 4 litre m60...

    We went for the EGS on the side of the gearbox, but they're telling me there isn't one on the older models and he's checked the side of the gearbox and nothing there.

    However from Diagnostics on the gearbox they've traced an error to Pin 11 of the EKM found in the passenger footwell...



    It would appear that there has been some action around that pin...



    Does anyone know where I can source an EKM for a 95 m60 auto? ( United Kingdom )

    Had an e31 for 6 days, it's been in a garage infuriating the mechanic without anything being fixed yet for the last 5 of them.. I guess this is normal e31 ownership? =D

    EDIT:

    He also mentioned this as one of the two things suspected (is this the m60 egs?):



    If so should I be looking to try and find a replacement for this first?
    Apologies this is turning out to be quite a drawn out process!

    (also to recap, not in limp home mode, drives fine)



    Cheers!

    (for transparency, I'm also cross posting to the UK forum)
    Last edited by nemsye; 05-26-2018 at 09:29 AM.

  5. #5
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    My guess is that the previous owner has had the TRAN FAIL-SAFE PROG error message for a while - and the plan was to disable the error message by fiddling with Pin 11 of the EKM (this is the signal to enable the error message from the gearbox computer).

    I still think that the original fault was the shiftlock error as previously described - this is one of the very few gearbox faults that gives a TRAN FAIL-SAFE PROG without locking the gearbox into 4th gear.

    Possibly the pin on the EKM can be repaired - but, there must be a gearbox error code that can be diagnosed using INPA - that would give us a much better idea of how to move forward. For parts in the UK try Dash at e31parts@gmx.co.uk. I just had a quick look on Ebay and can't find a M60 EGS or an EKM - so he will be your best bet as he only breaks E31's
    Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i


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  6. #6
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    Thanks for all of your help Timm,

    Dash came through and sent over an EGS, but the garage tried it and still had the same trans-fail.. They've now become frustrated, put the car back together and popped out an invoice for 4 hours of investigating (but unfortunately not finding the fault) so I get to drive off with the same car the same fault but a few hundred quid lighter... 8)

    Dash mentioned a chap called Tim in Cambridge, so that will be my next attempt... ( The car drives fine in the meantime )
    Mechanic did mentioned a data line error from the gearbox, but that was the only error found, I'm hoping for more clarification and a break down on the investigations when I pick it up after work...

    Oh I'm also driving down to the South Coast (Worthing) at the weekend if there's anyone serendipitously on that route who might be able to give the tires a kick?

    Cheers!
    T

  7. #7
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    I will be around some of the weekend and just off the A3 - but not sure when - send me a PM and I'll give you my number......
    Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i


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  8. #8
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    Hi Timm what did you find as the issue with this car as mine is doing the same

  9. #9
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    If you have the same problem (Trans Fail-Safe Prog) but the car still drives well then most likely is the shift-lock solenoid:

    Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i


    My BMW Repair YouTube Channel
    My Current 840ci Sport Individual
    My Current 650ci Sport Individual
    My E31 Repair and Information Website
    My E38 Repair and Information Website
    My E63/E64 Repair and Information Website

    Chase - Heroes to a generation

  10. #10
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    ok thank you

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