M3 E46 SMG Gearbox problem
Discussion
rdunn said:
Hi Lloyd,
I am now told to get a new 2229792 BMW PART (GEAR ID SWTICH)
What do you think?
Stealer says this is the error that the computer gives, hence it gets stuck in 5th gear...
Rgds
Riyaad
It could be the Gear ID switch as a few people have had to replace them.I am now told to get a new 2229792 BMW PART (GEAR ID SWTICH)
What do you think?
Stealer says this is the error that the computer gives, hence it gets stuck in 5th gear...
Rgds
Riyaad
It's hard to diagnose via the internet but it could be that the switch needs replacing as the stealer states
The stealer will probably keep replacing parts at your cost until they find the fault so beware!
I'd make sure that the pump is priming to full pressure & that the SMG relay is replaced first though
Hi,
I managed to find a second hand / used part and yes you were right it is a gear id switch.
I had to get a used one as the BMW dealer's in SA can only supply it in the last week of July,
You will be pleased to know, it actually worked.
The teach went well and I collected my car this evening from the stealer. Total bill was ZAR South African Rands R14300-00 (PARTS AND LABOUR)
-Clutch
-Green Oil
-ID Switch
-Compression Spring
I must say thanks again and at the end of the day it was all worth it feeling the power under my foot....
Cheers
Riyaad
I managed to find a second hand / used part and yes you were right it is a gear id switch.
I had to get a used one as the BMW dealer's in SA can only supply it in the last week of July,
You will be pleased to know, it actually worked.
The teach went well and I collected my car this evening from the stealer. Total bill was ZAR South African Rands R14300-00 (PARTS AND LABOUR)
-Clutch
-Green Oil
-ID Switch
-Compression Spring
I must say thanks again and at the end of the day it was all worth it feeling the power under my foot....
Cheers
Riyaad
Edited by rdunn on Friday 4th June 21:49
rdunn said:
Hi,
I managed to find a second hand / used part and yes you were right it is a gear id switch.
I had to get a used one as the BMW dealer's in SA can only supply it in the last week of July,
You will be pleased to know, it actually worked.
The teach went well and I collected my car this evening from the stealer. Total bill was ZAR South African Rands R14300-00 (PARTS AND LABOUR)
-Clutch
-Green Oil
-ID Switch
-Compression Spring
I must say thanks again and at the end of the day it was all worth it feeling the power under my foot....
Cheers
Riyaad
Glad the problems sorted at last!I managed to find a second hand / used part and yes you were right it is a gear id switch.
I had to get a used one as the BMW dealer's in SA can only supply it in the last week of July,
You will be pleased to know, it actually worked.
The teach went well and I collected my car this evening from the stealer. Total bill was ZAR South African Rands R14300-00 (PARTS AND LABOUR)
-Clutch
-Green Oil
-ID Switch
-Compression Spring
I must say thanks again and at the end of the day it was all worth it feeling the power under my foot....
Cheers
Riyaad
Edited by rdunn on Friday 4th June 21:49
Quite a big bill though :-(
Hey,
Im having trouble with my SMG gearbox. It's only selecting 1st, 3rd and 5th gears. If i manually select 2nd gear, nothing happens, it just revs as if it's in neutral. If i try to manully select 4th, it just jumps to 5th. This is the 2nd time i've had the problem, last time my mechanic replaced a relay for the gerbox and it solved the problem until now. I've done about 2500 miles before it happened again.
Anyone have any ideas what the problem is and how to fix it? Thanks.
Im having trouble with my SMG gearbox. It's only selecting 1st, 3rd and 5th gears. If i manually select 2nd gear, nothing happens, it just revs as if it's in neutral. If i try to manully select 4th, it just jumps to 5th. This is the 2nd time i've had the problem, last time my mechanic replaced a relay for the gerbox and it solved the problem until now. I've done about 2500 miles before it happened again.
Anyone have any ideas what the problem is and how to fix it? Thanks.
gfbmw01 said:
Hey,
Im having trouble with my SMG gearbox. It's only selecting 1st, 3rd and 5th gears. If i manually select 2nd gear, nothing happens, it just revs as if it's in neutral. If i try to manully select 4th, it just jumps to 5th. This is the 2nd time i've had the problem, last time my mechanic replaced a relay for the gerbox and it solved the problem until now. I've done about 2500 miles before it happened again.
Anyone have any ideas what the problem is and how to fix it? Thanks.
Most common SMG problems are due to one or some of the following:Im having trouble with my SMG gearbox. It's only selecting 1st, 3rd and 5th gears. If i manually select 2nd gear, nothing happens, it just revs as if it's in neutral. If i try to manully select 4th, it just jumps to 5th. This is the 2nd time i've had the problem, last time my mechanic replaced a relay for the gerbox and it solved the problem until now. I've done about 2500 miles before it happened again.
Anyone have any ideas what the problem is and how to fix it? Thanks.
SMG Relay - Burnt out & needs replacing
SMG Pump - Solenoid or Accumulator fault (can cause relay to burn out)
Bonnet Switch - Faulty needs replacing or bonnet not closed properly
Gear ID Switch - Faulty needs replacing
Compression Spring - Broken needs replacing
SMG Fluid level low
You need to get the fault codes read to help with the fault diagnosis!
Edited by LJTS on Tuesday 8th June 13:16
Edited by LJTS on Tuesday 8th June 13:17
Hi guys. Theres a good few of you on here who seem to know what you are talking about, so I wonder if you can help me. Ive got a 2002 330CI SMG with a gearbox fault. 95% of the time, it wont select any gears from Neutral. It starts first time no problem, but when you select a gear, either 1st or reverse you hear the mechanism trying to select but it doesnt work. ive plugged Launch X431 in and you can see that sometimes it actually selects the gear for a split second, then it reverts to neutral again.
Once in a blue moon it will select then everything is fine, it selects all the other gears no problem. But then when it goes back into neutral- if you stop at traffic lights, theres every chance it wont select any gears again and you could be stranded for up to half an hour trying to select before it works again. Ive found if you switch the ignition off and back on its more likely to select, but could still take 10+ minutes. If the car has been left for a few days it ususally selects first time.
The Launch diagnostic tool gave me the following fault codes...
4EF4 Shift travel sensor
4F6C Transmission/clutch
4FB4 Control Module internal fault
5017 Selector lever voltage supply.
When I reset the codes 4FB4 Control Module internal fault comes straight back.
Any help would be much appreciated!
Cheers,
Chris
Once in a blue moon it will select then everything is fine, it selects all the other gears no problem. But then when it goes back into neutral- if you stop at traffic lights, theres every chance it wont select any gears again and you could be stranded for up to half an hour trying to select before it works again. Ive found if you switch the ignition off and back on its more likely to select, but could still take 10+ minutes. If the car has been left for a few days it ususally selects first time.
The Launch diagnostic tool gave me the following fault codes...
4EF4 Shift travel sensor
4F6C Transmission/clutch
4FB4 Control Module internal fault
5017 Selector lever voltage supply.
When I reset the codes 4FB4 Control Module internal fault comes straight back.
Any help would be much appreciated!
Cheers,
Chris
Edited by Chris Moore on Monday 21st June 07:27
i have a 02 E46 M3 87k miles
smg accumulator has been replaced and the relay not long ago but it still popping out of gear in traffic and wont restart. only does it every so often. drove fine this week no issue???
service tech wants to replace the gear box
its gonna cost alott
PLEASE helpp
smg accumulator has been replaced and the relay not long ago but it still popping out of gear in traffic and wont restart. only does it every so often. drove fine this week no issue???
service tech wants to replace the gear box
its gonna cost alott
PLEASE helpp
Hi,
Sounds like the id switch had it's days, so if the computer cant establish what gear the box is engaged then it will shoot into zero or also known as neutral.
So I recoomend you change your gear identification switch
part no 2229792 BMW PART (GEAR ID SWTICH)
Hope you get the car back on the road soon....
reference : http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E46/Cabrio/Europ...
Rgds
Riyaad
Sounds like the id switch had it's days, so if the computer cant establish what gear the box is engaged then it will shoot into zero or also known as neutral.
So I recoomend you change your gear identification switch
part no 2229792 BMW PART (GEAR ID SWTICH)
Hope you get the car back on the road soon....
reference : http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E46/Cabrio/Europ...
Rgds
Riyaad
Hi All,
I have an E46 SMG convertible with 73,000 miles on.
It's been serviced by main dealer and was owned by one of the dealer's owners.
It has developed an "apparent" SMG fault.
I can drive the car all day in auto and it's fine.. If I use the paddle shift then for no apparent reason the SMG warning light will appear after 10-15 mins regardless of what mode the gearbox happens to be in.
I do NOT thrash the car and I can be on the cruise control on the motorway at 75mph and all of a sudden the SMG warning light will come on..although the car will drive normally all the time the SMG light is on?
Twice the car has selected "0" zero and coasted with the engine running and moving the selector stick to the left and back to the right the car will then select the correct gear for the speed. On both occasions the car was being driven slowly.. once on the motorway at about 75mph and once on a back road at about 35mph...
I have then at the end of the journey parked the car and occasionally the light has gone off on an engine re start, sometimes it remains lit and occasionally it's gone out on a re start but then the engine management light (engine graphic outline far left of display) has remained lit for a day or so but will on occasion turn itself off on a re start...
I've taken it to the dealers with the light lit..parked and gone into see the service department only to return to the car, start it, to find the lights have all gone off again.
I have then driven it , the SMG light has come on and I've driven to the dealer, left the engine running and they have seen the light.. but when plugged in the BMW test equipment have not found ANY recorded faults?
The dealer has spent more than 10 hrs trying to find the fault including keeping the car for several days, test drive but the fault had not recurred. I have then picked up the car, driven it for 20+ miles and the fault, SMG warning light has returned!
The dealer had it in the workshop with the car plugged in, engine running and changing gear by itself for 20-30 mins and it finally failed to change gear immediately when requested... but still didn't record a fault on the diagnostic!!!!!!!
The BMW Tech advisory group were contacted and they said to 1st replace the clutch as the car has done 73,000 miles...? But the dealer says the clutch is fine and does NOT need replacing.
The dealer recommends replacing the SMG unit at a cost of £2030 fitted... but will not guarantee it will cure the fault..
All the electronic management units have been re programmed from scratch and re calibrated but the fault re appears...
I'm getting totally pissed off with BMW now.. it's costing money "looking" for a fault indicated by the SMG warning light but they cant confirm what the fault actually is... I had thought BMW would know what's wrong with their cars when the car indicates there is a fault? I.E. why is it indicating a fault the test equipment cant find and the "log" does not register???
As for the "clutch" replacement..everyone, including the dealers own technical engineer states it's NOT the clutch but a pressure issue with the SMG pump...or a blocked valve..
I asked if it might just be a loose connection or sticky sensor switch etc.. but I'm told that would show up on the diagnostic?? if so then why doesn’t the diagnostic show exactly what the fault is then!!!!
On top of all this the warrantee company "WARRANTYWISE" has rejected a claim for the work... They sent an engineer down to see the vehicle, checked all the read outs but wont honour the claim..barstards.. advise members to steer clear of them..and I specifically asked when I took the policy out if the SMG unit was covered and they said it was..time for the insurance ombudsman to get involved...
Any help, advice would be very nice...
I love the car..it's brilliant..even does close to 35mpg on a run but this issue and the Warrantywise response has spoilt it...
I have an E46 SMG convertible with 73,000 miles on.
It's been serviced by main dealer and was owned by one of the dealer's owners.
It has developed an "apparent" SMG fault.
I can drive the car all day in auto and it's fine.. If I use the paddle shift then for no apparent reason the SMG warning light will appear after 10-15 mins regardless of what mode the gearbox happens to be in.
I do NOT thrash the car and I can be on the cruise control on the motorway at 75mph and all of a sudden the SMG warning light will come on..although the car will drive normally all the time the SMG light is on?
Twice the car has selected "0" zero and coasted with the engine running and moving the selector stick to the left and back to the right the car will then select the correct gear for the speed. On both occasions the car was being driven slowly.. once on the motorway at about 75mph and once on a back road at about 35mph...
I have then at the end of the journey parked the car and occasionally the light has gone off on an engine re start, sometimes it remains lit and occasionally it's gone out on a re start but then the engine management light (engine graphic outline far left of display) has remained lit for a day or so but will on occasion turn itself off on a re start...
I've taken it to the dealers with the light lit..parked and gone into see the service department only to return to the car, start it, to find the lights have all gone off again.
I have then driven it , the SMG light has come on and I've driven to the dealer, left the engine running and they have seen the light.. but when plugged in the BMW test equipment have not found ANY recorded faults?
The dealer has spent more than 10 hrs trying to find the fault including keeping the car for several days, test drive but the fault had not recurred. I have then picked up the car, driven it for 20+ miles and the fault, SMG warning light has returned!
The dealer had it in the workshop with the car plugged in, engine running and changing gear by itself for 20-30 mins and it finally failed to change gear immediately when requested... but still didn't record a fault on the diagnostic!!!!!!!
The BMW Tech advisory group were contacted and they said to 1st replace the clutch as the car has done 73,000 miles...? But the dealer says the clutch is fine and does NOT need replacing.
The dealer recommends replacing the SMG unit at a cost of £2030 fitted... but will not guarantee it will cure the fault..
All the electronic management units have been re programmed from scratch and re calibrated but the fault re appears...
I'm getting totally pissed off with BMW now.. it's costing money "looking" for a fault indicated by the SMG warning light but they cant confirm what the fault actually is... I had thought BMW would know what's wrong with their cars when the car indicates there is a fault? I.E. why is it indicating a fault the test equipment cant find and the "log" does not register???
As for the "clutch" replacement..everyone, including the dealers own technical engineer states it's NOT the clutch but a pressure issue with the SMG pump...or a blocked valve..
I asked if it might just be a loose connection or sticky sensor switch etc.. but I'm told that would show up on the diagnostic?? if so then why doesn’t the diagnostic show exactly what the fault is then!!!!
On top of all this the warrantee company "WARRANTYWISE" has rejected a claim for the work... They sent an engineer down to see the vehicle, checked all the read outs but wont honour the claim..barstards.. advise members to steer clear of them..and I specifically asked when I took the policy out if the SMG unit was covered and they said it was..time for the insurance ombudsman to get involved...
Any help, advice would be very nice...
I love the car..it's brilliant..even does close to 35mpg on a run but this issue and the Warrantywise response has spoilt it...
Edited by M3SMGE46 on Saturday 21st August 12:40
M3SMGE46 said:
Hi All,
I have an E46 SMG convertible with 73,000 miles on.
It's been serviced by main dealer and was owned by one of the dealer's owners.
It has developed an "apparent" SMG fault.
The SMG Pump fails due to one of the solenoids or electric motor failingI have an E46 SMG convertible with 73,000 miles on.
It's been serviced by main dealer and was owned by one of the dealer's owners.
It has developed an "apparent" SMG fault.
Edited by M3SMGE46 on Saturday 21st August 12:40
The pumps DO fail & WILL fail eventually, especially on earlier cars 01/02
The gearbox compression spring can break causing intermittent gear change problems
The following company do recon SMG pumps: http://www.a-ltuning.com/
Thanks LJTS.. I've e-mailed them for a quote to see if they will be cheaper than the BMW dealer...P.S. I've been told that the gearbox is exactly the same as a normal E46 M£ and it is possible to replace the SMG stick with a normal gear stick and add a clutch pedal..
I think it might be more complicated than that..I.E. the control unit side and ECU, instrument consol etc...
But would it be a simple gearbox drop and replacement?
Thanks,,
ANDY..
I think it might be more complicated than that..I.E. the control unit side and ECU, instrument consol etc...
But would it be a simple gearbox drop and replacement?
Thanks,,
ANDY..
:shock:
Got the official reply from Warrantywise today..
[i]"I regret to advise you that after careful consideration...
Reason...
"The faults are appearing intermittently and the vehicle has in recent months been at the dealers[/i](BMW Main Dealer)several times, the first being as far back as 18/3/2010 at 72314 miles. It was recorded at this time that the warning lights are illuminated. The dealer cleared the fault and the vehicle was returned to the claimant. The symptoms as experianced by the claimant, during drive, in recent months point toward a faulty SMG pump. Staining as noted around the pump body indicates leakage.(No loss of fluid level or leak detected by the BMW main dealer!)Leakage is further supported by the presence of oil within the block(electrical)connector of the pump. This item does not operate in oil, so the oil can only have come from the main unit, somehow penetrating the wiring loom over time. The engineer during the limited examernation was unable to reproduce the reported fault. it is noted that the vehicle only came on cover during March 2010. A fault was first recorded(ABS sensor NOT SMG!!)[i]only days after purchase. It is therefore the engineer's opinion that given the realms of probability that the reported fault was inherent at the point of purchase. Although the fault was not present at the time of the inspection, if it is accepted that there is an intermittant fault in the vehicle (noting our comment about oil contamination) we are of the opinion that the oil contamination suggests that this has been an on going problem for some time, and in our opinion would have been present prior to the warranty being taken out, therefore is not a warranty issue"
"This insurance does nor[/i](not)cover parts which have not suffered a failure (as defined), Oil leaks due to worn collars and then only those oil seals causing a major oil leak necessitating immediate replacement and the removal of the gearbox, and any claims for faults which an independant engineer appointed by us belives are more than likely to have existed before this policy began. Please refer to your policy document for full terms and conditions........"
So apparantly they are saying the fault is due to an oil leak from the SMG box over a long period of time..not noticed by the BMW main dealer since 2002..where it has ALWAYS been serviced... and when looking for a cause of the SMG warning light they have not found a leak or loss of fluid level etc.. and checked the connector block..
Warrantywise agree the fault ONLY appeared after the warranty policy was taken out but seem confussed by another ABS fault warning light that came on and was checked soon after I got the policy that incidently they agreed was a failure of the ABS sensor and paid for it's replacement.. the SMG warning light didnt come on until after this had been replaced ... so it is NOT "only days after pruchase" (of the policy)...
The BMW main dealer says it should be covered by the warrantywise policy as there is according to them no sign of a leakage of fluid from the SMG unit..just an apparant failure of the SMG pump...
So I appear to be at "fault" in claiming on the policy too early when the fault is only intermittant..I picked up the car from the dealer and at this time the SMG warning light is not lit..and the car changes gear fine..as it does with the light lit anyway...
As you can imagine I'm not happy with the warranty company and have only posted this up for the information of members who might considder using this company... as it appears they take no notice of the main BMW dealer..
Their engineer considders an apparant unconfirmed leak on an SMG is enough to suggest the fault is down to fluid loss via an oil leak... and so invalidates any claim even when the BMW service dept of a main BMW dealer says there is no fluid loss, no leak and it down to a pump failure...
If it was just a leak then topping up the fluid would prevent any fault!
GOOD NEWS...
BMW main dealer quoted £2040inc VAT for SMG replacement.
Independant BMW specialist quoted £1030 for a fully reconditioned SMG unit fitted with a year warantee, same day drive in, drive out service..
So far the SMG warning light has not returned..if it does I'll make the decision as to where to have the work done... :wink:
Got the official reply from Warrantywise today..
[i]"I regret to advise you that after careful consideration...
Reason...
"The faults are appearing intermittently and the vehicle has in recent months been at the dealers[/i](BMW Main Dealer)several times, the first being as far back as 18/3/2010 at 72314 miles. It was recorded at this time that the warning lights are illuminated. The dealer cleared the fault and the vehicle was returned to the claimant. The symptoms as experianced by the claimant, during drive, in recent months point toward a faulty SMG pump. Staining as noted around the pump body indicates leakage.(No loss of fluid level or leak detected by the BMW main dealer!)Leakage is further supported by the presence of oil within the block(electrical)connector of the pump. This item does not operate in oil, so the oil can only have come from the main unit, somehow penetrating the wiring loom over time. The engineer during the limited examernation was unable to reproduce the reported fault. it is noted that the vehicle only came on cover during March 2010. A fault was first recorded(ABS sensor NOT SMG!!)[i]only days after purchase. It is therefore the engineer's opinion that given the realms of probability that the reported fault was inherent at the point of purchase. Although the fault was not present at the time of the inspection, if it is accepted that there is an intermittant fault in the vehicle (noting our comment about oil contamination) we are of the opinion that the oil contamination suggests that this has been an on going problem for some time, and in our opinion would have been present prior to the warranty being taken out, therefore is not a warranty issue"
"This insurance does nor[/i](not)cover parts which have not suffered a failure (as defined), Oil leaks due to worn collars and then only those oil seals causing a major oil leak necessitating immediate replacement and the removal of the gearbox, and any claims for faults which an independant engineer appointed by us belives are more than likely to have existed before this policy began. Please refer to your policy document for full terms and conditions........"
So apparantly they are saying the fault is due to an oil leak from the SMG box over a long period of time..not noticed by the BMW main dealer since 2002..where it has ALWAYS been serviced... and when looking for a cause of the SMG warning light they have not found a leak or loss of fluid level etc.. and checked the connector block..
Warrantywise agree the fault ONLY appeared after the warranty policy was taken out but seem confussed by another ABS fault warning light that came on and was checked soon after I got the policy that incidently they agreed was a failure of the ABS sensor and paid for it's replacement.. the SMG warning light didnt come on until after this had been replaced ... so it is NOT "only days after pruchase" (of the policy)...
The BMW main dealer says it should be covered by the warrantywise policy as there is according to them no sign of a leakage of fluid from the SMG unit..just an apparant failure of the SMG pump...
So I appear to be at "fault" in claiming on the policy too early when the fault is only intermittant..I picked up the car from the dealer and at this time the SMG warning light is not lit..and the car changes gear fine..as it does with the light lit anyway...
As you can imagine I'm not happy with the warranty company and have only posted this up for the information of members who might considder using this company... as it appears they take no notice of the main BMW dealer..
Their engineer considders an apparant unconfirmed leak on an SMG is enough to suggest the fault is down to fluid loss via an oil leak... and so invalidates any claim even when the BMW service dept of a main BMW dealer says there is no fluid loss, no leak and it down to a pump failure...
If it was just a leak then topping up the fluid would prevent any fault!
GOOD NEWS...
BMW main dealer quoted £2040inc VAT for SMG replacement.
Independant BMW specialist quoted £1030 for a fully reconditioned SMG unit fitted with a year warantee, same day drive in, drive out service..
So far the SMG warning light has not returned..if it does I'll make the decision as to where to have the work done... :wink:
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