BMW e90 Auto - Gear/power problem
Discussion
Wondered if anyone else has had similar gear/power delivery problems with their e90. It is an intermittent fault but happening more regularly.
When going slowly (say 5-15mph), you decide to put your foot down (sometimes to the floor), rather than accelerating, it feels like the car is trying to change down gear (fair enough) but then fails to select one! I then push my foot all the way to the floor and if left there, zero power is coming for 5+ seconds before it decides to select a gear and away we go. The other way to kick it into life it take foot off pedal and nit it hard again and this springs it into life.
Weirdly, I have noticed it happens more frequently on inclines.
Whilst annoying on a normal road, it is potentially dangerous as it has happened when pulling out of a junction and you decide you need more power only for it to cut out and you are stranded for a couple of seconds before it decides to wake up.
Spark plugs all brand new and the local indy couldnt find anything.
Have tried to search google, etc. but it is such a random problem, I couldnt find anything.
Would welcome any thoughts!!
When going slowly (say 5-15mph), you decide to put your foot down (sometimes to the floor), rather than accelerating, it feels like the car is trying to change down gear (fair enough) but then fails to select one! I then push my foot all the way to the floor and if left there, zero power is coming for 5+ seconds before it decides to select a gear and away we go. The other way to kick it into life it take foot off pedal and nit it hard again and this springs it into life.
Weirdly, I have noticed it happens more frequently on inclines.
Whilst annoying on a normal road, it is potentially dangerous as it has happened when pulling out of a junction and you decide you need more power only for it to cut out and you are stranded for a couple of seconds before it decides to wake up.
Spark plugs all brand new and the local indy couldnt find anything.
Have tried to search google, etc. but it is such a random problem, I couldnt find anything.
Would welcome any thoughts!!
Have you had the trans fluid level checked, some of the transmission plastic sump pans on the BMW's leak and are then replaced but fitted by garages that dont always know the correct refilling procedure they are then sent out under-filled 
if trans fluid gets hot enough it will evaporate over a period too further making the problem worse and not doing the trans any favours either 
its worth checking 
it maybe worse on inclines because if the oil runs away from the oil pick-up then no oil pressure no drive 
failing this get the car plugged into some proper BMW scanner software (good indy etc) and see what they can read out for the transmission & motor etc 
if trans fluid gets hot enough it will evaporate over a period too further making the problem worse and not doing the trans any favours either its worth checking it maybe worse on inclines because if the oil runs away from the oil pick-up then no oil pressure no drive failing this get the car plugged into some proper BMW scanner software (good indy etc) and see what they can read out for the transmission & motor etc Edited by Sardonicus on Tuesday 5th August 09:11
I've had this for nigh on 2 years now. It's a 'box issue.
My plan next is to get the ZF service kit fitted, which is basically a new sump and filter (they're one item) and oil. I just haven't got round to getting it done yet.
What I have found though is that if you just keep your throttle position as it is, rather than pinning it to the floor, it seems to sort itself out more quickly. And you don't go hurtling off up the road like a scalded cat!
Oh and as for getting it checked for error codes - if it's anything like mine there won't be any.
My plan next is to get the ZF service kit fitted, which is basically a new sump and filter (they're one item) and oil. I just haven't got round to getting it done yet.
What I have found though is that if you just keep your throttle position as it is, rather than pinning it to the floor, it seems to sort itself out more quickly. And you don't go hurtling off up the road like a scalded cat!
Oh and as for getting it checked for error codes - if it's anything like mine there won't be any.
Swervin - Sounds like you have the same issue. You are completely correct re leaving your foot where it is. It is bloomin' annoying. And yes, like yours, no error codes. Will get the trans fluid checked when next in and failing that, it maybe the ZF upgrade thing is needed.
Agree re the theory about going up hills - makes sense.
Just hope that one of the above can fix the issue!
Agree re the theory about going up hills - makes sense.
Just hope that one of the above can fix the issue!
Next time when the conditions are "right" for the problem to occur, stick the gearbox in D/S mode and see if it happens.
I have something similar, but the circumstances are different to yours in that my speed is much lower (barely rolling after using the brakes)and it happens on level road. I pretty much have it nailed down when the gearbox is likely to do this and in those situations I just knock the selector over to D/S until I pull away then knock it back to D.
I have had the gearbox serviced by a ZF specialist with new sump, sleeve and fluid flush. I also had the level verified by another trans specialist when the problem was still there after the initial service.
From what I have read, a reconditioned valve body (new solenoids more than anything else) will cure it, but the problem isn't serious enough to warrant the expense at this time. There were new cars that exhibited the problem so to be honest I am not even convinced that there is anything wrong with my valve body.
The issue bothered someone enough for them to make a website about it. Really good reading if only to learn more about the problem.
http://www.thelurch.com/
I have something similar, but the circumstances are different to yours in that my speed is much lower (barely rolling after using the brakes)and it happens on level road. I pretty much have it nailed down when the gearbox is likely to do this and in those situations I just knock the selector over to D/S until I pull away then knock it back to D.
I have had the gearbox serviced by a ZF specialist with new sump, sleeve and fluid flush. I also had the level verified by another trans specialist when the problem was still there after the initial service.
From what I have read, a reconditioned valve body (new solenoids more than anything else) will cure it, but the problem isn't serious enough to warrant the expense at this time. There were new cars that exhibited the problem so to be honest I am not even convinced that there is anything wrong with my valve body.
The issue bothered someone enough for them to make a website about it. Really good reading if only to learn more about the problem.
http://www.thelurch.com/
It sounded like Variant 2 of the lurch which is what I have.
Odd that you have no rise in engine RPM even with the loss of transmission drive. The engine should still respond to the accelerator regardless of what the transmission is or isn't doing. I wonder if what you have is a throttle pedal position sensor problem.
Odd that you have no rise in engine RPM even with the loss of transmission drive. The engine should still respond to the accelerator regardless of what the transmission is or isn't doing. I wonder if what you have is a throttle pedal position sensor problem.
Yip, no rise in revs. Just completely flat like it is idling at best. Mine is the same issue as swervin, it feels like it is trying to kick down a gear but momentarily (can last for a good few seconds sometimes) forgets what to do so you get no drive. People prob think Im break testing them when you decide to accelerate like normal but then stop for a few seconds.
Interestingly, it has never once happened when in DS mode (made because it sets off from 1st more often?? no idea why personalty)
Seems to be one to those 'problems' that few people have, even fewer people know how to rectify and because it is intermittent, you shrug your shoulders and put it down to being a quirk and hope it somehow magically stops doing it!!
Interestingly, it has never once happened when in DS mode (made because it sets off from 1st more often?? no idea why personalty)
Seems to be one to those 'problems' that few people have, even fewer people know how to rectify and because it is intermittent, you shrug your shoulders and put it down to being a quirk and hope it somehow magically stops doing it!!
After writing the post, I found a post talking about 'resetting the auto transmission' which had the benefit of seemingly smoother gear changes and more responsive acceleration (but nothing to do with solving my issue). Anyhow, whilst being sceptical about the claims or indeed having any impact on my issue, I decided to try and as there was no downside.
Well, in the last couple of days I have driven a fair bit, and have to say am somewhat pleased. Not only does it genuinely feel like smoother gear changes etc. (hope it is not the placebo effect!), my old problem has not happened once, this is despite me engineering scenarios where it would most likely happen. What seems to be happening is that because it is more responsive, the gearbox is not waiting to change down a gear and therefore triggering the problem.
Swervin - have you tried this? Would be great to see if this helped solve your issue
Well, in the last couple of days I have driven a fair bit, and have to say am somewhat pleased. Not only does it genuinely feel like smoother gear changes etc. (hope it is not the placebo effect!), my old problem has not happened once, this is despite me engineering scenarios where it would most likely happen. What seems to be happening is that because it is more responsive, the gearbox is not waiting to change down a gear and therefore triggering the problem.
Swervin - have you tried this? Would be great to see if this helped solve your issue
thewharftrader said:
After writing the post, I found a post talking about 'resetting the auto transmission' which had the benefit of seemingly smoother gear changes and more responsive acceleration (but nothing to do with solving my issue). Anyhow, whilst being sceptical about the claims or indeed having any impact on my issue, I decided to try and as there was no downside.
Well, in the last couple of days I have driven a fair bit, and have to say am somewhat pleased. Not only does it genuinely feel like smoother gear changes etc. (hope it is not the placebo effect!), my old problem has not happened once, this is despite me engineering scenarios where it would most likely happen. What seems to be happening is that because it is more responsive, the gearbox is not waiting to change down a gear and therefore triggering the problem.
Swervin - have you tried this? Would be great to see if this helped solve your issue
Tried it chap. Even had the adaptations reset by the local BMW indy. It's certainly smoothed changes, but hasn't rid me of the drive-loss issue at low speeds I'm afraid.Well, in the last couple of days I have driven a fair bit, and have to say am somewhat pleased. Not only does it genuinely feel like smoother gear changes etc. (hope it is not the placebo effect!), my old problem has not happened once, this is despite me engineering scenarios where it would most likely happen. What seems to be happening is that because it is more responsive, the gearbox is not waiting to change down a gear and therefore triggering the problem.
Swervin - have you tried this? Would be great to see if this helped solve your issue
I had the same symptoms, loss of drive when e.g pulling away from a roundabout with a low rolling speed. Almost like it was slow at trying to select a gear and it cut the power while mid change
I had the gearbox sump replaced (as it was leaking) by BMW with a new the sleeve. They then updated all the software in the car (engine, gearbox idrive etc etc). Seems to have cured the problem for me, driven circa 1000 miles since and its not happened.
I had the gearbox sump replaced (as it was leaking) by BMW with a new the sleeve. They then updated all the software in the car (engine, gearbox idrive etc etc). Seems to have cured the problem for me, driven circa 1000 miles since and its not happened.
It was merely the accelerator reset 'trick'.
Swervin - don't say that!! I had high hopes that all had been solved!! ;-)
I guess only time will tell.
Indeed, it sounds like HDOG may have solved it as again, those are the same problems and it is interesting that you have not had the same problem in 10k miles.
Swervin - don't say that!! I had high hopes that all had been solved!! ;-)
I guess only time will tell.
Indeed, it sounds like HDOG may have solved it as again, those are the same problems and it is interesting that you have not had the same problem in 10k miles.
wharftrader - just been into my local BMW indy have my brake fluid changed. They were asking how mine was going and when I mentioned about the 'box they pointed at an E60 5-series in the workshop that had just come in for that very issue.
They were going to do a software update on it, but still recommended to me that a ZF sump kit was a very good idea on a near 80k old 'box. just thought I'd mention about the software update though in case you wanted to check that out.
They were going to do a software update on it, but still recommended to me that a ZF sump kit was a very good idea on a near 80k old 'box. just thought I'd mention about the software update though in case you wanted to check that out.
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