E46 Auto Gearbox Issue
Discussion
Hi all. Quite often on startup the gearbox warning light pops up where the gear (P or D) should be. The car will move with this light on but the gearbox doesn’t work, in that no gear changes occur. It seems to crawl along in....second maybe?
I’m having to turn the ignition off and on again (recently up to 10 times) until I see P for Park, at which point it’s all good. When running, it’s great, but I wonder if anyone knows what might be up?!
(Please don’t say ‘new gearbox chief’! Ha!)
Thanks.
David.
I’m having to turn the ignition off and on again (recently up to 10 times) until I see P for Park, at which point it’s all good. When running, it’s great, but I wonder if anyone knows what might be up?!
(Please don’t say ‘new gearbox chief’! Ha!)
Thanks.
David.
Get the codes read firstly... No point in guessing until you've done that (INPA or Carly for BMW at a minimum) don't use a generic code reader...
However, for free, check that the battery is properly tightened down. And get the voltage checked... A poor battery / bad connections / failing battery can cause all sorts of weird issues etc...
However, for free, check that the battery is properly tightened down. And get the voltage checked... A poor battery / bad connections / failing battery can cause all sorts of weird issues etc...
David Flatman said:
g3org3y said:
Has the gearbox ever been serviced?
Without going through the SH I couldn’t tell you...I’m always inclined to book it in at a main dealer and have it given a proper going over - I wonder if I’d be wasting money...
There was a poster on here a while back who had an issue with his E46 and the main dealer simply said they couldn't work on it because it was too old!
A decent indy specialist will be much more knowledgeable, not to mention cheaper!
Fault codes and oil level first. Could be a battery problem, alternator not charging correctly, a faulty cam sensor or the range switch on the side of the box. All cheap fixes.
Plenty of secondhand boxes about so forget £2000 rebuilds. Just make sure the garage replaces the converter oil seal before fitting as well as the filter/sump gasket. Depending on model, a used box will be £200-400, about the same to replace it. On a ramp it's about 3-4 hours work if it all comes apart OK.
You've not said which E46 it is.
Plenty of secondhand boxes about so forget £2000 rebuilds. Just make sure the garage replaces the converter oil seal before fitting as well as the filter/sump gasket. Depending on model, a used box will be £200-400, about the same to replace it. On a ramp it's about 3-4 hours work if it all comes apart OK.
You've not said which E46 it is.
Be very sure on the exact box you need if you do decide to replace it.
My 140,000 mile 2004 e46 330D (204hp model) 5-speed GM 'box (A5S 390R-YV aka GM 5L50) failed about 4,000 miles after being serviced.
To be fair, the specialist did originally try to warn me away from getting the 'box serviced, and the 'box felt much improved whilst it lasted.
The BMW specialist recommended fitting a used one in instead of spending £2-3K getting it rebuilt, but I gave up after trying to source a decent one.
Ended up scrapping the car instead.
My 140,000 mile 2004 e46 330D (204hp model) 5-speed GM 'box (A5S 390R-YV aka GM 5L50) failed about 4,000 miles after being serviced.
To be fair, the specialist did originally try to warn me away from getting the 'box serviced, and the 'box felt much improved whilst it lasted.
The BMW specialist recommended fitting a used one in instead of spending £2-3K getting it rebuilt, but I gave up after trying to source a decent one.
Ended up scrapping the car instead.
Edited by mmm-five on Monday 12th April 14:44
Touring442 said:
Fault codes and oil level first. Could be a battery problem, alternator not charging correctly, a faulty cam sensor or the range switch on the side of the box. All cheap fixes.
Plenty of secondhand boxes about so forget £2000 rebuilds. Just make sure the garage replaces the converter oil seal before fitting as well as the filter/sump gasket. Depending on model, a used box will be £200-400, about the same to replace it. On a ramp it's about 3-4 hours work if it all comes apart OK.
You've not said which E46 it is.
2004 330ci Cab. It’s lovely! Plenty of secondhand boxes about so forget £2000 rebuilds. Just make sure the garage replaces the converter oil seal before fitting as well as the filter/sump gasket. Depending on model, a used box will be £200-400, about the same to replace it. On a ramp it's about 3-4 hours work if it all comes apart OK.
You've not said which E46 it is.
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