2007 525 XI - replaced starter... transmission warning now!!please help!!!

[Tina10]

I am ready to cry, and I have been searching everywhere online and I see so much about whether to reset this or that.. or whether something was unplugged, etc.

I have a 2007 bmw 525xi, I have had it less than a month and I went to start it one day and nothing... battery was checked, fuses, etc. process of elimination and I got a new starter (mind you I am not the one doing all this, I am not good with cars in the least). New starter was installed as well as the intake manifold gasket (whatever you need to go by to get to starter) friend who’s doing the work said, yes old starter was no good he tested it and new one works. Car starts again... but he adds, a transmission warning light came on really quick when I first started... well no, the transmission warning light stays on, the check engine light is on and at higher rpm’s the car doesn’t shift into gear. I know I read about other people with same issue, and one reason was because something was unplugged or broken that’s right under starter I think it was crank shaft position sensor.... I’m sorry I really don’t know the names. I screen shot everything..

Then I’ve read a lot about resetting because the battery was disconnected, I’ve read mixed things though, and watched videos. Some say you can reset to factory settings and then the car can learn how you drive, etc. and some say you shouldn’t do.

For the transmission in particular, I read that you put the ignition on, but not the car.. you then press gas petal all the way down for 30 seconds and let go. Start car normally, and will reset. That did nothing... maybe I did wrong??

I know, I should probably go to dealer and deal with what I have to... but not so easy when you are afraid of what the bill will be, especially when it could be a simple plugging something in, or resetting something simple...

Help is greatly appreciated!!!

[jclausen]

I would check your work

[Tina10]

My boyfriend was doing this morning, he did find something unplugged but can’t find where other side plugs in and he is worried he will break something since he didn’t take apart first time. I just paid $200 just for the labor, to do all over again. I called a local shop that works on Bmw’s.. it’s really hard to find someone that works on that doesn’t charge a fortune. I don’t even know what would have been at shop

[shadowpuck]

can you get a picture of the loose plug?

[bmwdirtracer]

Does the engine take a long time to start? In other words, when you push the start button / turn the key, does the starter turn for ~4 or 5 seconds before the engine fires and runs? If so, the crankshaft position sensor is a very likely culprit....it lives just below the starter, and might have accidentally become unplugged. On a 4 wheel drive, like yours, it's extremely difficult to reach, without taking everything apart.

For future reference, you shouldn't trust your car to a cheap generic mechanic, or you end up in a position like this, where the guy doesn't know what he might have done wrong, and doesn't even have the diagnostic computer necessary to ask the transmission and engine computers why they're unhappy.Unfortunately, it's also likely, when a generic mechanic takes off the intake that he will break a hose or two, at which point you'll need a smoke test, to go with the diagnostic scan, and more parts to fix what the non-bmw guy screwed up. Always go to a BMW / Euro specialist shop, not just someplace that "works on BMWs".

[Tina10]

I will ask ASAP thanks

[Tina10]

Ugh ok thank you!! Yes it takes longer to start...

[bmwdirtracer]

IF you can find someone who's quite familiar with the engine, and IF this person has a skinny arm, it's vaguely possible for this person to get his/her hand to the area of the crankshaft sensor, and feel whether it's actually plugged in, maybe locate it and plug it in, if it's not. If it were a 2 wheel drive, this would be fairly easy, but the differential and driveshaft make this impossible, or nearly impossible, on a 4 wheel drive, from below.

There will be a code for this in the engine computer, if this is the case. Although I NEVER recommend using a generic OBD scanner on a BMW, this is one time when it might help you. Any Autozone, O'Reilly, etc. will do this scan for free.

DON'T get used to that, though, because the OBD2 scan tools will usually cause you gross misdiagnoses. Just this once.....