BMW transmission problems have risen to the top of the list of the most severe car problems in recent years.
What precisely does a transmission issue on a BMW mean? The transmissions of the cars will begin to fail, causing a leak of transmission fluid, screeching noises, and terrible burning odors.
If no fast and appropriate repairs are made, the lifespan of the vehicle will be considerably shortened.
Do you believe your car has evolved into a BMW with a trans malfunction? Then take immediate action and read this article to determine whether the symptoms listed are similar to yours.
Additionally, we offer helpful advice that could help you avoid visiting the service centers!
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
How can I tell if the transmission in my BMW is damaged?
- Gears are shaking or grinding. The transmission is made to easily transition between gears.
- Gears That Slip.
- When in gear, there is silence.
- The transmission is making strange noises.
- Burning smell.
- Transmission Fluid Low
What does it cost to repair a BMW transmission issue?
You’re right; replacing a BMW transmission will probably be incredibly pricey. Service and components might cost between $3,000 and even $7,000. To receive a precise estimate, you’ll need to speak with your mechanic, though.
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.
On a BMW, where does the gearbox fluid go?
It is situated behind the engine oil dipstick in the back of a vehicle with rear-wheel drive. The transmission fluid dipstick is protruding from the transaxle toward the front of a front-wheel drive vehicle.
How can I fix the drivetrain issue with my BMW?
If while driving a drivetrain error appears out of nowhere. or if you notice a problem with the transmission or delivery of power. The first thing you should do is stop your automobile in a secure location. After turning off the engine, let it a few minutes to sit.
By doing this, you can temporarily fix your car’s drivetrain malfunction error so you can return home. Restart your automobile and proceed to drive back normally after a short while.
It is advisable to keep going if your car has already entered limp mode. Call your dealership or look for a BMW mechanic when you get back to your location.
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 (jumping 20 degrees and goes down etc)
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. You might have actually hit it. I took out and replaced the default 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.
Why do transmission problems happen?
Your transmission may be failing if any of a number of symptoms are present. By being aware of the warning signs, you can prevent damage that would need replacing or rebuilding your vehicle’s transmission.
If the issue is not identified right away, transmission failure can be expensive and irritating. You can avoid spending time and money later on by performing routine maintenance and taking other precautions to avoid transmission issues in the first place.
How much does a BMW transmission cost?
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 lifespan of a BMW transmission?
With the right maintenance, a BMW transmission may survive for more than 300,000 miles, or more than 20 years.
The transmission’s lifeblood is transmission fluid, which is why many BMWs have been sold with “lifetime” fluid for more than 20 years. Theoretically, this shouldn’t require altering during the course of the car’s life.
However, a lot of people contend that replacing it every 30,000 to 60,000 miles will significantly prolong the life of your BMW’s transmission.
If a BMW transmission does go down, repairs could be very expensive. Therefore, it seems like a sensible and reasonably priced precaution to take to occasionally change the fluid.
It may be an early symptom of gearbox trouble if your BMW struggles to shift gears or slips while in drive. As soon as these issues start to appear, always have it checked out by a mechanic or at a BMW dealership.
What symptoms indicate 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 typical 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 find a crimson, 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.
When should the fluid in a BMW transmission be changed?
You don’t even need to drive your BMW to see these warning signals of transmission trouble. Step outside of your vehicle after starting it. Is it scratchy sounding? Your transmission may be having problems if you hear unexpected noises like grinding, slamming, rumbling, or other odd noises.
Check for any odd scents emanating from the vehicle while you’re out there. Every 30 to 60 thousand miles, your BMW’s gearbox fluid should be changed; if it isn’t, it may begin to smell. The transmission fluid could have a pleasant or burning odor (although it could also be the coolant.) Your car should be taken in for an inspection if it emits any strange smells.
What does a BMW’s drivetrain entail?
The drivetrain of your car is actually a collection of drivetrain components that work with the engine to move the wheels and other parts of the car to put it in motion. These components often include the driveshaft, axles, CV joints, transmission, differential, and wheels.