Sports mode on Auto trans, problem?

[Kevin@KEST]

I know when i shift to 3, it's sports mode for automatic trans, right?
yesterday when i use it on the highway. a yellow warning light on the dash came on suddently. it's the one with "!" next to the CEL.
the light went away when i switch to D and restart the car.
what could be wrong?

[scbimmer]

I think that's your traction control working. (DSC) Dynamic Stability Control

[Zac000]

Where did you hear that it was sport mode? I thought it just makes it so your car does not shift past that gear. So you were in 3rd on the freeway and your car was like WTF and threw a light on. I could be wrong though....maybe if you hit the M button and put the shifter down to 1 it puts you in sport mode. Just kiddin.

[Zac000]

do a search for "exclamation light"

[joyfret]

I think there are three warning lights in our cars that have
exclamation marks. Tire pressure light is one, which was not available in
E36, hence ruled out. Second one is ABS malfunction, when
you're low on brake fluid for instance. Thirdly, Failsafe mode
light which warns you of any malfunctions in automatic transmission,
which is most likely the culprit in your case. Go have the code read out.

[Sloth]

yes, that puts you in sport mode. i had a big problem with the same thing (i think). When i would floor it in "3" the same exclamation point surrounded by a gear would pop up. the car would then go into "safe" mode, and only drive in 3rd or 4th until restarted. the only way to figure out what exactly is wrong is to get the code read by a machine that knows bmw codes, basically a dealership. i didnt want to cough up 100 bucks to get the code to tell me i needed to fix something that i didnt really need anyway. i just drive in D now all the time

[bmwrp8]

that exclamation point surrounded by gears is the warning light for the tranny...have it checked,i know its not free to have it checked in a shop that could do readouts but it might save you big $$$ in the future