E36 M3 SMG Problem
Discussion
Hi All
I own a e36 Evo smg which was built in Apr 98.
The problem is thus - the smg shift electronics light(Amber gear cog symbol with exclamation mark in it) has been coming on and off several times over the last few months. Initially there was no problems with the gearbox/starting in any of the auto or manual modes. However the problem has now developed into the following
First thing in the morning the light is out and the car behaves itself. After 10-15 mins of driving the light comes on but car still operates in normal way. however if i park up and turn off ignition for a couple of mins and then turn it back on the gearbox fails to motor to neutral so you can't start the car. By turning ignition on and off several times the gearbox eventually motors to neutral and car now works again fine until the next time the ignition is off for a bit.
If the car is left for longer(couple of hours) everything resets to the first thing in morning scenario
Other Info - BMW dealer diagnostics said the system had a massive overpressure in it(pressure sensor fault?), although gearbox works fine once its started. They simply suggested replacing pump at cost of 3000 quid which may or may not cure problem - muppets. When asked could it not be a sensor/electrical issue i got a blank response - long and the short was they knew less than i did!
Since then i have been all over the system - there are no leaks/fluid loss anywhere and the fact the gearbox works once engines started makes me think the Pump is ok, pump sounds fine as well. So that leaves electrics. Have checked all the relays and fuses..there ok. Anyone know what causes the light to come on?- pressure sensor?
Thats it..any ideas folks, anybody had this before?
I own a e36 Evo smg which was built in Apr 98.
The problem is thus - the smg shift electronics light(Amber gear cog symbol with exclamation mark in it) has been coming on and off several times over the last few months. Initially there was no problems with the gearbox/starting in any of the auto or manual modes. However the problem has now developed into the following
First thing in the morning the light is out and the car behaves itself. After 10-15 mins of driving the light comes on but car still operates in normal way. however if i park up and turn off ignition for a couple of mins and then turn it back on the gearbox fails to motor to neutral so you can't start the car. By turning ignition on and off several times the gearbox eventually motors to neutral and car now works again fine until the next time the ignition is off for a bit.
If the car is left for longer(couple of hours) everything resets to the first thing in morning scenario
Other Info - BMW dealer diagnostics said the system had a massive overpressure in it(pressure sensor fault?), although gearbox works fine once its started. They simply suggested replacing pump at cost of 3000 quid which may or may not cure problem - muppets. When asked could it not be a sensor/electrical issue i got a blank response - long and the short was they knew less than i did!
Since then i have been all over the system - there are no leaks/fluid loss anywhere and the fact the gearbox works once engines started makes me think the Pump is ok, pump sounds fine as well. So that leaves electrics. Have checked all the relays and fuses..there ok. Anyone know what causes the light to come on?- pressure sensor?
Thats it..any ideas folks, anybody had this before?
Personally - I would be phoning BMW GB and asking them for help because your dealer doesn't seem to understand how to diagnose the system. Diagnosis is not swapping parts - because any fool can fix a car by changing everything in it, it's understanding exacty where the fault lies and just fixing that part.
The SMG system should have been launched in the BMW service system with a manual for dealer technicians to do precisely this.
With luck BMW will tell you who has a good amount of experience with the car and is capable of fixing it.
If you have little joy I would polish it and sell it at an auction.
The SMG system should have been launched in the BMW service system with a manual for dealer technicians to do precisely this.
With luck BMW will tell you who has a good amount of experience with the car and is capable of fixing it.
If you have little joy I would polish it and sell it at an auction.
Your electrics theory makes sense as tempurature goes up so does resistance, so as the car is warming up resistance in the circuit goes up until out of normal operating range turning on the light, when allowed to cool for several hours resitance in the circuit is normal, works fine and no light.
Sounds like the tech working on it should be keeping an eye on the transmission PIDs (Parameter Identification Data) with BMW's diagnostic equipment while the car is warming up to see what circuit is going out of range. Then repair that circuit.
Sounds like the tech working on it should be keeping an eye on the transmission PIDs (Parameter Identification Data) with BMW's diagnostic equipment while the car is warming up to see what circuit is going out of range. Then repair that circuit.
Edited by Trooper2 on Monday 19th June 02:28
I had a problem with an O2 sensor on my porker that made the engine light come on after 15 minutes or so.
I spent hours fiddling around and eventually discovered that a contact in one of the sockets was a lose fit so when the plug was inserted, contact would be made but only on the very tips of them as the plug would push the contact out. Might be worth giving all connectors a poke with a screwdriver to make sure none are coming out.
Failing that, polish and sell
I spent hours fiddling around and eventually discovered that a contact in one of the sockets was a lose fit so when the plug was inserted, contact would be made but only on the very tips of them as the plug would push the contact out. Might be worth giving all connectors a poke with a screwdriver to make sure none are coming out.
Failing that, polish and sell
HELLO! I can't believe I've found someone with the same problem (after warm up,except it happens when I'm driving and goes into limp mode)and same clueless techies as I have. Mine is still in the shop,because I can't clear the fault when it happens.I'd appreciate some info,or did you convert to manual.Cheers
Edited by Dus_m3 on Wednesday 13th June 07:05
Gents,
Has anyone figured out the cure? My friend has the exact same problem and we've thought of everything. This issue is widespread, and yet everyone who has had the problem has also neglected to backfill the rest of us with the solution.
It really seems heat related, since it goes away after the car cools. It also never happens unless the car is significantly warmed up/driven hard.
Has anyone figured out the cure? My friend has the exact same problem and we've thought of everything. This issue is widespread, and yet everyone who has had the problem has also neglected to backfill the rest of us with the solution.
It really seems heat related, since it goes away after the car cools. It also never happens unless the car is significantly warmed up/driven hard.
all these toys are great till they go wrong(and they do)hope you get to the bottom of this problem fella.i didn't think u could convert the smg to a manual, i was told i couldn't before. i just had a major hydralic fluid leak on track and it stuck in gear, only just dropped it off at my local specailist for a verdict...lol always would of preffered a manual at times, can any 1 enlighten me?
My M3 is doing similar things. From cold, after about 30 seconds, it will show the gear cog alert warning light. It will then spasmodically go in some gears but not others. I turn it off then restart and it goes into different gears, until car is fully warmed up . I then switch off and back on and it's perfect all day.
Taken it to garage after main dealer gave up, and they have replaced temperature sensor as the ' Bavarian Technican' recorded gear box temp as -40 ! Had temp re-read and it still reads -40.
It's going back next week . Any suggestions? I intend to try the re set technique this pm.
Thanks
Taken it to garage after main dealer gave up, and they have replaced temperature sensor as the ' Bavarian Technican' recorded gear box temp as -40 ! Had temp re-read and it still reads -40.
It's going back next week . Any suggestions? I intend to try the re set technique this pm.
Thanks
Arghh help. Did anyone ever find the cure to this problem. I have just had the accumulator replace and that did not do any good. it only happens when I get stuck in traffic, orange cog comes on and I can't get the gears. Let it cool down and it's fine again. If I am on open road does not miss a beat.
Signed
Annoyed confused and out of pocket
Signed
Annoyed confused and out of pocket
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