The first thing you should do if your BMW displays a transmission problem notice or is stuck in gear is to find a safe spot, turn off the engine, and then restart it.
Before you start the automobile, give yourself at least a minute. The engine control unit may be reset as a result, and the transmission message can disappear. Even though it doesn’t always work, it’s worth a go.
Don’t assume everything is well just because your BMW is shifting normally again. You have a good possibility of having the same transmission issue again.
In This Article...
Common BMW Transmission Issues Symptoms
- the transmission gets stuck in one speed or won’t change into particular gears.
- frequently sliding gears
- when in neutral, noisy
- transmission-related error message
- jarring transmission transitions as opposed to fluid ones
- irregular gear changes that may cause a bump in one or more gears
- Despite revving, the engine doesn’t shift
- when changing gears, lag
- the presence of the check engine light
- error codes
- overheating of the transmission or engine
Having trouble changing gears
If your gearbox is having problems, whether you drive a manual or automatic BMW, you can experience some trouble when your car swaps gears. When changing gears, there may be a sharp jerking, clutch squeaking or other unsettling noises, or hesitation. This could leave you in an uncomfortable RPM range for a while or even cause the car to stall. In the worst-case scenario, the vehicle may even enter limp mode, which means it cannot be driven and must be towed to the closest auto repair facility. This is a preventative measure used by BMWs to stop the driver from continuing to drive in dangerous circumstances and prevent the engine from suffering additional harm.
Issues with the BMW Series 5 transmission
BMW vehicles are often thought of as being the epitome of style, performance, and luxury by many customers. The transmission is equally important to the performance of the BMW’s engines. Transmissions and engines work together seamlessly. The transmission is in charge of shifting the engine’s gears, which causes the car to move and, in the case of BMWs specifically, accelerate quickly (if that’s your driving style).
Any consumer should pay close attention to the transmission when checking a car before buying because it plays a significant part in a vehicle’s dependability. BMWs are renowned for having good transmissions and motors, although some customers have complained about transmission issues with BMW Series 5 cars in particular.
We’ll go through these typical problems and what you should watch out for in order to determine whether your BMW might have a transmission issue.
Get a free quote for one of our “extended auto warranty solutions” if you are thinking about purchasing a used car that is a 2012 model or newer, has less than 140,000 miles on it, and is in good condition.
What causes BMW transmission issues?
Failure of the mechatronic bridge seal adapter is one issue that frequently affects the gearbox of BMW automobiles. For better gear shifting, this component is required to stop pressure loss within the transmission system.
The plastic adapter in BMWs is susceptible to cracking, which results in a fluid leak and lower mechatronic valve pressure output. This causes inconsistent gear shifts and transmission problems.
The most prone BMW models to mechatronic bridge seal adapter failure are the ones listed below. The owners of these vehicles may wish to pay close attention to warning indications and ensure that their transmission is kept in good working order:
- BMW E65/E66 7 Series, 2001–2008
- X5 V8 2004–2006 BMW E53
- BMW E60 5 Series, 2003–2010
- BMW E90 3 Series, 2005–2011
- BMW E63/E64 6 Series, 2003–2010
- 2007–2013 BMW E70 X5 (4.0d model excluded)
- BMW F01/02 7 Series from 2008 to 2012, except the 760i/Li and the hybrid 7.
How does a BMW’s transmission get checked?
- Prior to checking the level, turn the engine on for a while.
- Find the dipstick for the transmission fluid.
- Touch the fluid after removing the dipstick.
- To clean the dipstick, use a rag.
- Fill the automobile appropriately using a funnel, being careful not to overfill it.
How can I tell if the transmission in my BMW is damaged?
- Rusty Idling and Smells.
- Transmission slippage
- liquid leaks
- Poor acceleration and shifting.
- There is a check engine light on.
- Three Full Service Repair and service centers for European vehicles in Dallas and Plano
What is the price of a BMW transmission?
Cost of a BMW transmission Depending on the car, a new BMW transmission might cost over $3,500. In contrast, transmission services like fluid changes and transmission fluid flushes are significantly less expensive, occasionally costing less than $150.
What is the price of changing the gearbox fluid in a BMW?
Best in Automotive Repair While parts are priced at $217, labor expenses are predicted to range between $148 and $187. Taxes and other fees are not included in this range, nor are your particular model year or geographic area taken into account. Additional fixes could be required.
What is the price of rebuilding a BMW transmission?
You’re right; replacing a BMW transmission will probably be incredibly pricey. Service and components might cost between $3,000 and even $7,000.
Can a battery cause BMW transmission issues?
The idea that the performance of your transmission might be impacted by the state of your automobile battery may initially appear ludicrous. But when you consider that almost every shift in modern transmissions is electrically controlled by a computer system that is powered by the battery, it actually makes sense.
All kinds of strange transmission issues may be caused by an erratic voltage decrease from the battery. For instance, corroded battery terminals may be to blame for sporadic instances of delayed transmission changes or completely missing gears that manifest, resolve, and then recur.
How long does a transmission repair take?
The kind of transmission and the vehicle are frequently factors in the time needed to replace a transmission. In the majority of rear wheel cars, a transmission can be changed in a day or two. However, some front-wheel drive, late-model cars can take three to four days and require a lot of labor. The time it takes to replace the transmission should also account for the time it takes to acquire all the required tools and parts.
What are the leading indicators of transmission issues?
- Sounds of grinding. A grinding noise that happens during shifting is one of the more typical signs of transmission failure.
- Burning smell. Transmission fluid frequently has a tart or somewhat sweet fragrance.
- Transmission Alert Lamp.
- Shifting with a delay.
- Leaking Transmission Fluid
Can a slipping transmission be fixed?
If the issue is just low fluid, burned-out or inefficient fluid, or transmission leaks, you can fix the problem yourself. You’ll frequently need to either check the fluid, change the fluid, or address the transmission leak in order to do this.
On the other hand, some issues like replacing or adjusting bands, replacing gears, or replacing or modifying clutches call for disassembling the transmission. It will need expertise to understand these techniques, which are difficult to express. It is preferable to have your transmission work done by a specialist here at AAMCO if you are unfamiliar with transmissions.
What are the symptoms of a failing transmission?
1. Failure to change directions
You are most certainly dealing with a transmission system issue if your car refuses or has trouble shifting gears. Your car might not be shifting gears because it has low or the wrong kind of transmission fluid.
2. A burning odor
Visit a mechanic as soon as you notice any burning smells coming from your vehicle. This smell could mean that your transmission is overheated or that the fluid is scorched and old.
3. Sounds During Neutral
Strange noises emanating from your car when it is in neutral are a solid sign that your transmission may be having problems. If you’re lucky, the noises might be a sign that your automobile needs new transmission fluid, which a mechanic would flush and replace.
On the other side, it can also indicate that your car needs to be replaced or need further maintenance from a qualified auto mechanic.
4. Slipping Mechanisms
When your gears suddenly shift while you are driving, it is not only unsettling and disturbing but also dangerous because it is never advisable to operate a vehicle with a slipping gearbox. If you hear the engine roaring while shifting gears, your transmission has slipped. It’s frequently equated to having no apparent traction on the road and feeling like you’re driving over ice.
A delay in acceleration, odd noises, and a generally harsh response when you try to shift gears are some other signs of slipping gears.
Fifth Drag Clutch
When you press the clutch pedal in your car, a dragging clutch does not release the clutch disk from the flywheel. When changing gears, this problem causes the gears to clatter and the automobile to move. The most common causes of a dragging clutch are mechanical problems or clutch misalignment.
6. Fluid Leaks
One of the simplest transmission issues to diagnose is leaking transmission fluid. Tell your mechanic to check the transmission fluid level and look for any leaks if you notice a red, sweet-smelling fluid underneath your car in a garage or parking lot.
7. The Check Engine Lamp
Your dashboard’s check engine light may be triggered to signify a number of automotive problems, both small and major. But if determining the problem’s source is crucial, be sure to have a local specialist take a look.
8. Milling or jiggling
Any form of grinding or shaking that happens as the gears shift is more frequent in vehicles with automatic transmissions. This is frequently a solid sign that there is an issue with your transmission. When this occurs, it’s crucial to get your car checked out by a mechanic as soon as you can.
9. Strange Sounds
None of the humming, whining, or clunking noises are pleasant to hear in a moving vehicle. There are a variety of reasons why your car can be making odd noises, but only a qualified mechanic should attempt to fix them.
10. Not responding
If you try to shift gears in your automobile and it doesn’t respond, especially when you go from park to drive, your gearbox is probably broken and you require transmission service.
Is replacing a transmission more affordable than repairing it?
The most expensive alternative for repairing your transmission is a replacement. This is frequently referred to as being “re-manufactured.” In essence, the manufacturer will replace damaged parts with updated parts. If the transmission is too damaged to even contemplate a rebuild, this is a possibility.
The transmission is performed in a factory setting, which is something to bear in mind when replacing. The ability of the individuals working on it to be skilled precisely to that particular transmission is a benefit of having this done. You will upgrade the transmission you are replacing it with to the factory-built prebuilt specifications. Depending on your main objective and how badly your transmission failed, this could have a favorable effect.
What causes automatic transmission failure the most frequently?
One of a vehicle’s most crucial parts is the transmission. The driveshaft is guided by the transmission, which also uses the engine’s power to keep you moving. A transmission should function smoothly for the majority of its lifespan with regular maintenance carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. However, it can be useful to understand the potential causes of transmission issues because the cause affects how much the transmission repair will cost.
THESE ARE THE TOP 3 TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS:
1. Low transmission fluid is the number one factor on all vehicle repair specialists’ lists of causes of faulty gearboxes. Low or polluted fluid makes it practically impossible for the gearbox to automatically shift gears and work smoothly, and is typically the result of a leak somewhere in the system. When a vehicle’s fluid level is low, the transmission must be flushed, the leak must be found and fixed, and more fluid must be added to the system. What Color Should My Transmission Fluid Be? (Read it now.)
2. Sluggish shifting and transmission failure might arise from a clogged filter, which is frequently caused by dirty transmission fluid. Changing the filter usually solves the issue.
3. The torque converter is in charge of pressurizing the transmission fluid to provide it the force required to smoothly shift transmission gears. Additionally, it frequently causes issues with automatic transmissions. Cars Direct claims that “Needles bearings that are worn out or damaged are one of the torque converter’s most frequent issues. You will typically hear odd noises emanating from the transmission while in driving gears if the needle bearings start to wear out. In a driving gear, the car will produce grinding or brushing noises.”