BMW E46 Auto 'box issues
BMW E46 Auto 'box issues
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Discussion

trickywoo

Original Poster:

14,195 posts

260 months

Friday 14th September 2012
quotequote all
Just wondered if anyone knows about gearbox ecu issues?

My e46 323i has a problem with the brake light switch which I've been told is related to a fault in the gearbox ecu.

Apparently even though the brake switch is fine the ecu is showing the brakes as being on and therefore recording a fault.

My garage is saying that a new gearbox ecu is the only solution and it has to be programmed to the car by BMW, meaning a £1,000 bill.

Does this sound right? I've seen secondhand 'box ecu on the bay for £70.

buggalugs

9,285 posts

267 months

Friday 14th September 2012
quotequote all
I would get a second opinion on that one!

GavinPearson

5,715 posts

281 months

Saturday 15th September 2012
quotequote all
trickywoo said:
Just wondered if anyone knows about gearbox ecu issues?

My e46 323i has a problem with the brake light switch which I've been told is related to a fault in the gearbox ecu.

Apparently even though the brake switch is fine the ecu is showing the brakes as being on and therefore recording a fault.

My garage is saying that a new gearbox ecu is the only solution and it has to be programmed to the car by BMW, meaning a £1,000 bill.

Does this sound right? I've seen secondhand 'box ecu on the bay for £70.
Your garage clearly is talking well beyond their level of capability.

Just because an ECU flags a code it does not automatically mean that parts need changing. Correct interpretation of the code and appropriate diagnostics lead to a quality repair.

I would take the car to a franchised BMW dealer and have them diagnose the issue. It could be something as simple as a bad earth. It could be a wiring loom problem. Only decent diagnostics and thorough investigation of the issue will show where the fault truly is.