Transmission failsafe, why does my car hate me?

[acspecialists]

Well I just put the car on H&R springs, KMAC rear camber bushings, Chainguides, Vanos, 4.8 TB, 4" MAF and a DUDMD tune. I took it out for a drive and it would not shift and when it did it would shift hard and go into failsafe. I hooked up INPA and got a speed sensor failure. I took it for another drive and could see no speed signal at the output shaft. I did some research and most threads had a dead transmission as the cause. I bounced it off of Timm and he said in my case because the car was still driving it may actually be the sensor.

I have a spare transmission so I pulled the sensor from it. It is a hall effect sensor that read 328 ohms so I didn't have high hopes for a fix. I drained the oil and dropped the pan. There are two identical sensors, one at the front for the turbine and one at the rear for the output shaft. I inspected the wires and pulled the one at the rear. It measured 318 ohms, at this point it dawned on me that I should have started at the TCM-EGS? I put it all back together and there was no change. I wasn't too pissed because I wanted to change the trans oil anyway.

So I went up to the TCM-EGS and unplugged it and cleaned up all of the pins and plugs. So then as soon as I turned on the key the car went into failsafe. In spite of that I took it for a short spin and the output speed sensor was working. In the process of trying to figure out the failsafe I got a massive amount of codes,
Can bus timeout, EGS pressure 1,2 & 3, power failure and on and on. I gave the car a battery nap and cleaned up the pins and plugs again. When I went back to try again the car won't even crank now. I put the charger on it and called it a day. I'm about to go give it a go again.

So why does my car hate me? I love my car and I have just put a ton of work into it. I even told my wife that I'm going to sell her car and she can drive my car when I am not. Maybe my wife's car is related to my car somehow? Maybe one night when we were asleep they got married? Then they gave birth to my daughters 740i? After that car was killed in a crash they gave birth to my daughters 323i? Now uncle Bob my E60 M5 has moved in. I wish they could talk and tell me what the family deal is so no one gets pissed of and stops running.

[acspecialists]

9am update. I went out this morning and the DME had code for pedal position and the TCM had EGS pressure codes, no start. I disconnected the battery and cycled all the plugs on the DME and EGS. Then I got a DK position monitoring from the DME and no response from the TCM. Now the engine will start and then die. I disconnected the battery.

It's a nice day out here in Hansville. I decided to wash the cars. I started with the E38 just to make sure there was no jealousy. While I was washing her I think I figured out the family. The E38 is female, I have been working on her steady ever since she came to the family. She has been very moody at times but every time we drive it's nothing but love. The E39 is male, no real problems and I don't fiddle with him much. I think he likes to be left alone. The E60 I think is female and new to the family so I think she will behave but we have already had serious issues when I tried to code her for Aux input.

So I think maybe the E38 feels like she shouldn't have to do track duty because I have the E60? Maybe she is upset that I have a mistress? Not really sure how the relationship is going to work out but thinks are going down hill fast. Going to do some research and give it another go in a little bit.

[1999 540i m]

What's the condition of the battery?

[acspecialists]

Well my honey and I made up today. She is running well and with no further complaints.

To answer your question the battery is less than a year old and I had the charger on all night and during my investigations. I checked the continuity of the five main power fuses. I then check the voltage across the fuses with the key on and then checked the voltage to the DME and EGS. There was about a two volt drop to the DME and EGS, 10.9VDC. I removed the main power fuses again but this time I removed them from the holder and cleaned them with a wire brush. I reinstalled them and the voltage drop was gone. They were not bright but did not look bad. Varrroom! The car started right up and no more codes for the DME or EGS.

So why did BMW stick the DME and EGS outside without watertight plugs and the sockets facing up? Between my car and my daughters car that little black box is the nightmare of the E38. Don't even get me started on the freaking fuses under the passenger seat. Who comes up with these lame ideas?

So with all of the mod's done and the car running well she will go in for an alignment tomorrow and to the track on Saturday.

[Hueristic]

They sucker you in with those sexy curves and then shit all over you.

[georgebest]

Don't even get me started on the freaking fuses under the passenger seat. Who comes up with these lame ideas?

I was always wondering the same. Doesnt make any sense.

Glad it's running again!

[acspecialists]

O just when your hopes were high! I took it in to get an alignment yesterday. After putting all the new suspension parts in I wanted a good baseline for Saturday. I gave the shop some specs and instructions because of the aftermarket pieces. They did a fine job Of getting the settings I wanted. I was so happy driving home having just barely getting it done. I pulled in the driveway and stopped. Steam came pouring out from under the hood. I took a quick peak and the valley pan blew out.
I am at a loss for words?

[clarkitect]

O just when your hopes were high! I took it in to get an alignment yesterday. After putting all the new suspension parts in I wanted a good baseline for Saturday. I gave the shop some specs and instructions because of the aftermarket pieces. They did a fine job Of getting the settings I wanted. I was so happy driving home having just barely getting it done. I pulled in the driveway and stopped. Steam came pouring out from under the hood. I took a quick peak and the valley pan blew out.
I am at a loss for words?

Evil seductress.

[Ruskii]

I feel your pain. After investing so much time, effort, and money... when do you stop; what is the final straw?

I just installed coilovers, new rotors and pads, changed oil... and found a seized front brake caliper, coolant leak from auxiliary water pump, and noticed the tranny is engaging D and R a little bit harsher than "normal." Sigh.

Best of luck to you, I know you will get her fixed up and running well again!

[Aitch]

Who comes up with these lame ideas?

The same people who do this:

[acspecialists]

It gets worse. Got the valley pan resealed. Filled it with water and it came pouring out of the back of the engine. Pulled the intake back off and found water pouring out of the block. Need ideas. Used engine, LS conversion or M5 engine? I can get a whole car for less than a grand.

[rslifkin]

It depends. Do you want to keep it auto or do you want to go 6spd? That'll determine whether the S62 is viable. If you want to stay auto, see if you can find a 4.6 cheaply enough. Almost as easy as putting another stock engine in and you'll gain 60-ish hp in the process.

[Ruskii]

So wait, is the block ruined? Did you check the water accumulator gaskets/hoses?

[kouks]

If you want to keep the car and have it run fairly reliable...pull the engine, take it down to the long block, and rebuild everything up from there, it will last at least 5 years before anything stupid happens. I did that on my 740iL 7 years ago at 136k miles. It lasted until 206k miles until the #4 cylinder swallowed an exhaust valve and cracked the block. The trans failed at 170k miles, that was also a pull and complete rebuild in the garage. When the engine failed at 206k, the home made rebuilt trans was still running great.

Otherwise, the car will keep you busy until you either shoot it between the eyes or sell it.

As far as your situation with leaking at the back of the engine, it could be the heater hoses (most likely) or the rear plate on the block inside the bell housing (rare failure)

[georgebest]

IThe trans failed at 170k miles, that was also a pull and complete rebuild in the garage. When the engine failed at 206k, the home made rebuilt trans was still running great.

Dont you need a lot of special tools and equipment for a trans rebuild?

[kouks]

Dont you need a lot of special tools and equipment for a trans rebuild?

The press is the only special tool you need, the rest you can make on your own or figure it out another way. I have some of the press stuff done by a local trans shop for about $100, they were amused I was doing it in my garage, and then surprised that it all worked well.

[Zedbimmer]

How sure are you that one of those hoses didn’t bust or you ripped an o-ring when reinserting those tube pipes?

[acspecialists]

Just to be clear I have the manifold off. If I pour water in it comes out just below the head gasket right out of the block in the valley. I can see where the water is coming out. Now that there is water in the engine it will not start.

If I could rebuild it I would. I just finished my AMX 390 a few months ago. I'm looking for a used engine with as low of miles as I can find. I will throw gaskets, chain guides and rebuild the vanos and go. I could switch the parts to a different car but my car in an individual and has some extra fluff that would be hard to move. Also I am the second owner, the headliner has been done, the seats have been done and the only part I have not touched is the transmission. After putting the 3.15 in and the 4"MAF tune my son was sure I was going to sell the M5.

[acspecialists]

Here is a question that I think I have the answer too. If I put a M62 in with my manifold it would just be missing the Vanos and one cam sensor? I could even change the water pump to fit my radiator. I guess the tune would be all wrong because it is a different engine. At this point I'm looking for a low milage car that I can take the engine out of. Got a 540 in my sights that doesn't run smooth or have a title.

[wagons ho]

Yes, no,no, and yes. What?
I think the family is mad because you put the blue wagon up for adoption!
I found it on the BMW finder website.

[acspecialists]

Well she got out of track duty. I went out to have one last look before I bought a 77,000 miles replacement motor. In my rush to reseal the valley pan I messed up the seal. I had my wife pour water in while I watched and I could see it coming from the valley pan. I could not see it before because when I poured the water in and then went to look there was too much standing water.

I resealed, resealed the valley pan and everything is looking good. This time I let the RTV set before I installed the valley pan. I would just order a new one but I have to get this car on the road before I ship out for two months. Real happy all of the work and upgrades did not go to waste.

[Ruskii]

So it was just a valley pan gasket?

[acspecialists]

Yes, it was leaking so badly that when I poured water in the small valley between the block and the edge of the valley cover swirled water around. When I had my wife pour water in just a bit at a time I could see it coming from the valley cover. Of course because I just resealed it I did not suspect that my work was shotty! Just to be clear I did the valley pan about 30k ago and it still blew out! Valley covers suck! It has nothing to do with me being in a rush and ready to crush my car after all the transmission BS!

[georgebest]

Just to be clear I did the valley pan about 30k ago and it still blew out! Valley covers suck! It has nothing to do with me being in a rush and ready to crush my car after all the transmission BS!

Those unreliable valley pans...also nothing to do with the fact that you are driving around on a racetrack like a maniac in your E38 and create quite enjoyable videos for us in the process

[Ruskii]

It's okay, I messed up on my first RTV reseal attempt too. Had to redo it as well. Glad to hear it's nothing more serious (e.g. cracked block).