BMW 330 Auto Gearbox
Discussion
Having a problem with the auto box on my 01 330.
The gearbox light came on it went into BMW and they diagnosed a faulty OBC unit and replaced this at a cost of £800. The light came back on again and they now say that I need a new gearbox.
I have had the car up to 70mph with no issues. The only effect I see is that of the 'limp-mode' being active i.e gear change is low in 1st/2nd steptronic disabled.
As I understand this is a standard get-home type mode. I have experienced this in other cars and it has been something simple as a sensor need replacing. I do have my iPod connected up to the head-unit of the Radio and was at one stage wondering if this was part of the problem.
Any thoughts much appreciated.
Cheers
The gearbox light came on it went into BMW and they diagnosed a faulty OBC unit and replaced this at a cost of £800. The light came back on again and they now say that I need a new gearbox.
I have had the car up to 70mph with no issues. The only effect I see is that of the 'limp-mode' being active i.e gear change is low in 1st/2nd steptronic disabled.
As I understand this is a standard get-home type mode. I have experienced this in other cars and it has been something simple as a sensor need replacing. I do have my iPod connected up to the head-unit of the Radio and was at one stage wondering if this was part of the problem.
Any thoughts much appreciated.
Cheers
Edited by chessers on Friday 13th October 12:39
chessers said:
Having a problem with the auto box on my 01 330.
The gearbox light came on it went into BMW and they diagnosed a faulty OBC unit and replaced this at a cost of £800. The light came back on again and they now say that I need a new gearbox.
I have had the car up to 70mph with no issues. The only effect I see is that of the 'limp-mode' being active i.e gear change is low in 1st/2nd steptronic disabled.
As I understand this is a standard get-home type mode. I have experienced this in other cars and it has been something simple as a sensor need replacing. I do have my iPod connected up to the head-unit of the Radio and was at one stage wondering if this was part of the problem.
Any thoughts much appreciated.
Cheers
The gearbox light came on it went into BMW and they diagnosed a faulty OBC unit and replaced this at a cost of £800. The light came back on again and they now say that I need a new gearbox.
I have had the car up to 70mph with no issues. The only effect I see is that of the 'limp-mode' being active i.e gear change is low in 1st/2nd steptronic disabled.
As I understand this is a standard get-home type mode. I have experienced this in other cars and it has been something simple as a sensor need replacing. I do have my iPod connected up to the head-unit of the Radio and was at one stage wondering if this was part of the problem.
Any thoughts much appreciated.
Cheers
Edited by chessers on Friday 13th October 12:39
I had a very similar problem with my E36 328i Auto . I took it to an indie and they diagnosed faulty gearbox ECU and replaced for around £600. Had the car back a week and the light came back on again. Took it back and they fannied about with it. Light went off. I had car back a week again and same problem. This made me think that the ECU probably hadn't been the original problem and it was more likely to be a wiring fault They fannied about with it some more and all was well for about 14 months. Same problem again
Took it back again and was given the same gearbox ECU fault diagnosis. And guess what?
The new part only had a 12 month warranty.
A gearbox ECU should last the life of the car not 12 bloody months. The indie petitioned BMW on my behalf who told him to take the car to a main agent for further investigation. They confirmed the ECU diagnosis and replaced it FOC. So all ended as well as I could have hoped.
These BMW auto gearboxes are reputedly pretty bomb proof.They are built as sealed for life units. What makes your garage so confident that it's the gearbox rather than any electrics that are at fault?
Surely if the mechanical components of the gearbox were worn out/broken there would have been some other indication than just a warning light.?
I don't know what model transmision is fitted to the 330, but the reasons for failure are fairly generic.
1) Electronic controller
2) Harness. Often overlooked.
3) Solenoids that control transmission hydraulics within the transmission.
4) Hydraulic fault. Usually low oil level or a pressure problem.
5) Mechanical fault. Burnt or worn out clutches.
I think what you should do is find out exactly which category the failure is in, only (5) needs a rebuild, and unless the pump is broken (unlikely) everything else is straightforward to repair.
It may well be that it is cheapest in the long run to replace the transmission based on a number of criteria, but I would want t be convinced tha they knew what the problem is. Unless they know, the vehicle will keep going in for repair at your expense....
1) Electronic controller
2) Harness. Often overlooked.
3) Solenoids that control transmission hydraulics within the transmission.
4) Hydraulic fault. Usually low oil level or a pressure problem.
5) Mechanical fault. Burnt or worn out clutches.
I think what you should do is find out exactly which category the failure is in, only (5) needs a rebuild, and unless the pump is broken (unlikely) everything else is straightforward to repair.
It may well be that it is cheapest in the long run to replace the transmission based on a number of criteria, but I would want t be convinced tha they knew what the problem is. Unless they know, the vehicle will keep going in for repair at your expense....
Turned out to be a transmission fluid leak due to faulty seal.
Somehow the BM dealer missed this and charged me £800 for a new ECU saying it was faulty and causing the fkin light to come on.
Took into another dealer and they found the leak straightaway - needless to say I'm after some compensation from the first dealer!!
Somehow the BM dealer missed this and charged me £800 for a new ECU saying it was faulty and causing the fkin light to come on.
Took into another dealer and they found the leak straightaway - needless to say I'm after some compensation from the first dealer!!
chessers said:
Turned out to be a transmission fluid leak due to faulty seal.
Somehow the BM dealer missed this and charged me £800 for a new ECU saying it was faulty and causing the fkin light to come on.
Took into another dealer and they found the leak straightaway - needless to say I'm after some compensation from the first dealer!!
Somehow the BM dealer missed this and charged me £800 for a new ECU saying it was faulty and causing the fkin light to come on.
Took into another dealer and they found the leak straightaway - needless to say I'm after some compensation from the first dealer!!
Sounds like the previous tech's pimples were bigger than his brain..
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