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Thread: 325 transmission problem

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
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    325 transmission problem

    Hi all,
    I have a 1994 325I Automatic and been observing the following problems recently:

    - When I take the car beyond 50mph, the transmission failure light comes on and after that the gear seems to get stuck on that higher gear (4th or 5th, I don't know). When I slow down and stop, it still remains on the same gear (which I can feel by the car driving without any power when it starts moving). This problem goes away when I switch it off and restart if after a minute or two.

    - Occasionally, when I start the car and put it in drive mode, it doesn't move at all. Shift it to neutral and it acts as drive mode. This problem goes away when I switch off the car, put it in neutral, push it forward and backward couple of times (which results in some jerkry sound) and the problem goes away.

    Has anybody experienced similar problem? I took it to a dealer and he says the transmission needs to be replaced (he mentioned about burnt oil in the transmission). Since I don't have extended warranty, I am hoping for a cheaper alternative. Can I live with this problem or will it become worse and damage the car in some more serious way? Or could the cause be something other than transmission?

    Thanks in advance,
    Jack.

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    With the history of the e36 automatic, chances are you probably need a new auto.

    I used to have almost the same problem (well, just the stuck in 4th part), but my tranny light never came on... After getting the ATF changed, it has been shifting like new and without any trouble...

    knock on wood

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
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    Orlando, FL
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    '94 325is
    I've got a 325is auto and I am going to be swapping for a manual in the coming weeks. I would be willing to sell my auto tranny for like $300 plus shipping.

    I am sure you can find someplace closer with a used transmission, however.

    Good luck, change the fluid and that may make a difference.

    EDIT: Driving on a bad transmission won't hurt anything other than the transmission. If you are a daring fellow, drive the thing until it just won't move anymore. At that point, get a new tranny.
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  4. #4
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    Thanks for the replies. I just got back from another dealer who took a look at according to him computer scan fault is #100 and he found burnt oil and metal shavings in transmission fluid. He also recommends getting a new transmission and quoted $3700. I talked to an independent transmission guy and he is quoting $2400 for rebuilding the transmission (according to him, there is no way to get a "new" transmission, one can only rebuild an existing one - is this true?). It makes me think he is hinting that I cannot purchase a used transmission (like the poster above suggested) and fit in my car.
    Again, thanks for your opinions.. This thing is going to cost me big bucks (extended warranty company is refusing to cover it saying that I failed to do inspection 2 in the past 3 years so it voids the contract). I just want to find out all the options and really appreciate your thoughts on it.

  5. #5
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    I don't see any reason why you can't swap another automatic in...

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
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    '94 325is
    There would be no problem with swapping for a used automatic transmission. If I were you, I wouldn't buy mine (it's just too damn far for shipping). Check local junk yards in your area or e-bay for a used auto transmission. If you are not up to the task of changing the tranny yourself, call around to local shops and see how much labor would be. I can't imagine that it would cost any more than $1200 total if you found a reasonably priced (good, low miles) transmission and a somewhat reputable mechanic.

    Good luck!
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  7. #7
    v.b.'s Avatar
    v.b. is offline GoD, pls stop this bitch!
    Join Date
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    2001 Yamaha R6. 104rwhp@14500rpm!
    find a decent M3 ZF 5spd auto tranny...

    you need M3 auto tranny, drive shaft, lower ratio diffy, tranny
    ECU (maybe)

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
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    RIP:'93 325i ; '07 e61 x
    I had similar problems to yours. I believe the transmission actually goes and stays in 3rd gear. From what I understand, this is the safe gear.
    This would happen when my Transmission Control Module (TCM) light would come on. The only way I could reset it was to turn the ignition all the way off and restart the car after about 30 seconds.
    An independent BMW shop wanted to charge me about $2.5k for a rebuilt tranny, and dealerships wanted about $3.5k.
    Since I could not understand how the transmission shifted through the gears fine otherwise, I could not accept the fact that everyone wanted to replace my tranny. So, I began looking at the software. When I first started, I was unaware of Transmission chip so I focused on an ECU. After I ordered an ECU chip, I found out about the Tranny chip. I decided to keep and install the ECU chip while I looked for the tranny chip.
    Lo-and-behold, I only suffered through the TCM situation two more times. I haven't had a problem since - it's been almost two years. I currently have a used TCM ready to be installed though.

    Hope this helps
    Good luck!
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  9. #9
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    Thanks for the encouraging post. I do hope it is some chip and not really the tranny. How much did the ECU (Electric Control Unit?) chip cost? Were you able to replace it yourself or did you have to take it to a mechanic?
    Besides, I did fail to do the inspection 2 and the transmission fluid is old and supposedly burnt. I am thinking of doing a inspection 2 and flush the fluid. Hope it is not a bad idea.

  10. #10
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    RIP:'93 325i ; '07 e61 x
    I didn't have the exact same problem you did. I was confident that my tranny was ok, mechanically. I'd go for the inspection 2 first, then see how it goes from there.

    I got a used Racing Dynamics Chip almost 2yrs ago. I don't recall how much I paid for it but it was about $150.
    I believe there's a group buy right now for AA chips. You might want to check that one.
    3rd Infantry Division, United States Army

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  11. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
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    '98 328i/4
    The thing about a used transmission is that shops don't recommend that route because they don't want to warrantee something that they don't know anything about. Hence they usually put in rebuilts, because those have been inspected and rebuilt, and would have a warrantee. A lot of people would opt to do the auto to manual conversion for the money these shops are quoting you, since you'd probably spend the same money and get a better car out of the deal. I used autop from a reputable source, on the other hand, would likely be the cheapest option, since they go for cheap and the labor isn't too involved for a professional shop. Yuo might try to post a WTB. There are a lot of people who do the autom to manual conversion who would be willing to sell you theri old auto for a song. THere's some guy on here from San Diego who does this stuff with his cousin, can't think of his name. good luck.
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  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
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    los angeles
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    Thank you all for the very informative replies. I don't want to go for a auto->manual conversion since my wife will be driving the car too and she doesn't like the manual.
    Any of you have recommendation for a good mechanic in Los Angeles area who would do this?

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
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    2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK430, 92 325i/4
    I have had this problem time and time again. I think it was because i was fuckin around with my sound system and shot electricity to my transmission's DME way too many times. Either that or it's bad... I doubt it's bad because i street race around with no issues anymore. Check the transmission fluid. You might want to add some temporary transmission fixer in with the fluid to stop the slipping. My light went away when I filled the tranny full of new fluid and added the leak stopper

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