Your BMW’s performance and functionality depend on its drivetrain in many ways. The engine’s power is transferred to the wheels through it. Sometimes, the terms “drivetrain” and “powertrain” are used synonymously. They do not, however, refer to the same item. So, you might be wondering what makes drivetrain components different from powertrain components.
Your car has more than one component, not just the drivetrain. It is a group of parts that cooperate with the engine to set the vehicle’s wheels and other moving parts in motion. The transmission, differential, wheels, axles, and CV joints are all part of the drivetrain.
The engine is the sole element that distinguishes the drivetrain from the powerplant. One of the many moving parts of a powertrain is the engine. The powertrain is made up of all the moving bits inside the engine and its sections, including the drivetrain’s components.
Its main purpose is to convert kinetic energy into forward motion so that your car can move and your wheels can turn. This is why your BMW’s drivetrain is so crucial. You may hear or feel strange rattling or shaking in your car if one of these components breaks. Let’s examine the parts of the drivetrain in more detail and symptoms of their failure.
In This Article...
Drivetrain Malfunction: What Does It Mean?
Understanding the meaning of a BMW drivetrain warning will help you save a lot of trouble. A transmission or engine issue is indicated by a drivetrain malfunction message or signal on a BMW by the Engine Control Module (ECM) of the vehicle.
The terms Digital Motor Electronics (DME) and Engine Control Unit (ECU) are sometimes used to refer to the Engine Control Module.
The Engine Control Module immediately reduces the car’s maximum torque output if the BMW computerized system notices a powertrain issue to avert any impending damage.
What Could Go Wrong With A Drivetrain?
Your car’s drivetrain is a crucial component. You’re going to experience issues if your drivetrain fails. But what goes wrong with a drivetrain? What should you do in response to this?
The drivetrain is not just one component of your car. Your car truly moves because of a number of various parts working together.
The drivetrain is a collection of parts that distributes the engine’s power to the wheels, creating the torque necessary for your car to go forward or backward. The driveshaft, axles, transfer case, and transmission are the main elements of the drivetrain. Your car needs to discover the proper ratio to make the wheels and engine work together because they rotate at different rates. In order to maintain an essentially constant engine speed, the transmission modifies the gearbox ratio.
Without a drivetrain, your engine’s output cannot move the wheels, and your vehicle will not move. That means drivetrain issues are very problematic, as you might expect.
The earlier you identify a drivetrain issue, like with any issue, the better. In the long run, knowing what to look for could end up saving you a ton of money and hassles. In light of this, let’s examine some of the most typical drivetrain issues and their typical causes:
- Extreme shaking and vibrating – If your vehicle shakes and vibrates excessively when you shift gears or just while driving in general, your drivetrain is likely having a growing issue. Worn-out U-joints are the main source of this issue. Your drivetrain will shake more and more as they become looser, and if this is not stopped, it could eventually just disintegrate.
- More unfavorable vibrations – Excessive vibration is one thing, but grinding and clunking are different issues that point to more serious issues. When you shift gears or drive, clunking sounds or sensations point to worsening U-joint loosening or even worn-out solenoid packs. Over time, friction surfaces will deteriorate, which might result in issues like clunking and grinding as you shift gears. The latter may be brought on by a shortage of high-quality transmission fluid. And this gets us to. . . Transmission fluid leaks – Drivetrains can suffer greatly from transmission fluid leaks. To keep your gearbox greased and cool, you need transmission fluid. If you have a leak, each time you drive, you could be harming your transmission. After parking, if you notice any areas of reddish liquid underneath your car, take it in for repair. Fortunately, the solution is rather straightforward: transmission leaks must be resealed.
BMW Drivetrain Problems Drive Moderate Issue
While driving, BMW automobiles may display a moderate drivetrain problem on the dashboard. When this notice appears, an engine or transmission issue with the vehicle has occurred. It frequently occurs when accelerating quickly, trying to pass another vehicle, or going up steep inclines.
Only a BMW scanner can determine the cause of the drivetrain problem alert.
I strongly advise using the AUTOPHIX BMW diagnostic scanner tool if you wish to have a portable tool with you while driving. For any models made after 1996, it can read the auto fault codes generated by your system.
You can take advantage of an inexpensive instrument that can give a thorough system review to find out why the warning signal flashed thanks to its eight-inch screen size and many menu selections.
The Engine Control Module in your car has recognized a transmission or engine fault if the BMW drivetrain malfunction drive moderate problem occurs. You can determine whether a repair is required by reading the fault codes that caused the alert with the diagnostic scanning tool.
What is the BMW drivetrain issue?
A probable issue with the engine or transmission may result in the BMW drivetrain problem. The car enters safety mode to safeguard the driver, engine, and gearbox. By reducing the engine’s overall output, this prevents additional damage.
What is a BMW 1 Series drivetrain malfunction?
Over the past month, I drove the car a little too hard three separate occasions and received this warning each time. My automobile is only three years old, and already this is happening.
In reality, there was no power loss; the sports mode just stopped when this warning appeared. When I switch the ignition off, it goes away.
I gave the car a hard drive again just before writing this, and the problem was gone.
There must be some value in tolerance, however the error message is quite ambiguous. It doesn’t even specify whether the problem is with the gearbox, the engine, or possibly something else. I advise attaching a diagnostic tool to the vehicle and reading the problem messages to check for a more detailed hint.
If the automobile enables you to drive even though it just displays the “Drivetrain” warning, the auxiliary water pump is probably to blame.
As you mentioned, when it is broken, the sensors go berserk. You can see that your water temperature changes if you can access the hidden menu.
11518616992 is the part number if such is the case. The coolant and antifreeze should be refilled as well once the water pump has been changed.
According to my limited knowledge, the N13 engine’s turbine valves are a regular cause of this problem. According to reports, these turbine valves are frequently exhausted by DSC power seizures.
Hi! I appreciate your responses. Actually, you might have struck it. I took out and replaced the stock blowoff valve on my FastBits DV+ since it was making a metallic noise (clicking sound). The first occurrence of this warning occurred a week later.
Okay, so I bought a garage $50 USD to connect their diagnostic gear and show this to me:
Hello everyone, I just bought a 2014 M135i that has 35000 miles on it and operates flawlessly when driven sensibly. It was marketed as having 420 horsepower with pops and bangs. The automobile comes up with a drive train issue when I put my foot down. It will begin malfunctioning occasionally when this message appears, but not always. When I connected my scanner, the following codes appeared: 102001, 11a002, and 123511.
Could this be a bad/cheap remap, or has anyone else experienced similar problems? According to my research, many people have similar problems and try changing parts without success.
Since purchasing my 2012 116i in July, this drivetrain issue has occurred three times. Every time I’ve experienced it, I’ve simply stopped and restarted the car, and it has always gone away and hasn’t returned. Although it seems strange, I haven’t given it much thought because it is inconsistent and it has been raining approximately two-thirds of the time. Could the rain possibly affect a sensor? Almost everything else about the automobile appears to be in order, with the exception of the absurdly high oil usage.
What does a BMW X3 drivetrain malfunction mean?
My 2013 BMW X3 has been displaying a drivetrain failure notification ever since I recently went camping in it. Why does this matter?
In less than two minutes, find out if your auto insurance is being overcharged.
Your 2013 BMW X3 will show the drivetrain malfunction notification anytime there is a problem with the engine or transmission. It frequently occurs after heavy or quick acceleration or on steep hill. Other indications of a drivetrain issue include:
- the exhaust pipe on your car is smoking
- shaking when accelerating or driving
- rough idling or stalling a lot
- The transmission shifts into first gear
- difficulty starting your vehicle
Alternatively, your drivetrain failure light can suddenly appear. In either case, it’s crucial to respond to the warning as quickly as you can. Restarting your engine is the simplest technique to get rid of it. However, if it doesn’t fix anything, you might want to get a second opinion from a mechanic. Alternatively, you might use a scan tool to perfect a diagnostic reading on your automobile yourself.
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What does a BMW’s drive chain look like?
The right maintenance schedule needs to be followed in order to keep your BMW performing at its usual level. There are some aspects of your car that need greater maintenance as it gets older. The drive chain, commonly referred to as the timing chain, is one of such parts.
The drive chain is a piece of machinery constructed of chains that are connected one to another in a way akin to a bicycle chain. The drive chain is coupled to a set of gears and pulleys at the front of the motor. The drive chain’s function is to power various mechanical parts and keep the engine running smoothly. When the drive chain has the right quantity of oil, it can accomplish this successfully, which is why adequate maintenance is crucial. You may read more about the signs of a drive chain failure caused by low oil in the sections below.
The BMW warranty covers the drivetrain, right?
Any material or workmanship flaws are covered by the New Vehicle Limited Guarantee for the duration of the warranty. Additionally, the Powertrain Warranty also covers issues with the engine, transmission, or drivetrain.
What does a car’s drivetrain look like?
The drivetrain of your car is essentially a collection of drivetrain components that work with the engine to propel the wheels and other automotive components into motion. The transmission, differential, driveshaft, axles, CV joints, and wheels are typically among these components.