02 E46 325i auto - trans light on intermittently

02 E46 325i auto - trans light on intermittently

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TonyRPH

Original Poster:

13,142 posts

175 months

Monday 7th October
quotequote all
The car had 136k miles on the odo.

About a month ago the car got a bit of an Italian tune up, and upon arriving home the trans light came on.

The car has seen little use (about 20 miles each weekend) since then, but yesterday when I started it, upon selecting gears I got an almighty thump as it passed through reverse and into drive. I immediately put it back into park at which point I noticed the trans light was on (it may have been on when I started the car but I didn't notice).

I stopped the engine, waited a few seconds and restarted at which point the gearbox was fine, and went out for a drive with no further issues.

Unfortunately I don't have a code reader for that car, but a bit of internet research suggests an oil change is required?

I think it's a ZF gearbox (model unknown).

From memory there's a place in Lancashire (might be Preston?) that does oil changes. Any recommendations?

I'm based on the North West.

Thanks in advance.

danb79

9,667 posts

79 months

Monday 7th October
quotequote all
Hi Tony

Poor voltages can cause this too; start with the battery and see what the voltages are first

Secondly; the switch on the side of the box can cause similar issues too; I replaced the one on my previous Jap import E39 540i as it was doing similar

Speak to Grant at Automatic Transmissions, Preston - he'll soon have you sorted: https://automaticgearboxrepairs.com/

TonyRPH

Original Poster:

13,142 posts

175 months

Monday 7th October
quotequote all
danb79 said:
Useful stuff.
Thanks Dan, I'll get it checked.

davettf2

163 posts

152 months

Monday 7th October
quotequote all
10 to 1 its the gear selector switch. I've now replaced this twice. They seem to suffer if the car is not used regularly. Plus its a reasonably cheap fix compared to a gearbox oil change, which should be done at 80000 plus miles Don't believe the sealed for life!

Cheers
Dave

TonyRPH

Original Poster:

13,142 posts

175 months

Monday 7th October
quotequote all
davettf2 said:
10 to 1 its the gear selector switch. I've now replaced this twice. They seem to suffer if the car is not used regularly. Plus its a reasonably cheap fix compared to a gearbox oil change, which should be done at 80000 plus miles Don't believe the sealed for life!

Cheers
Dave
The low battery explanation provided by Dan is a more likely problem in my case I think - as the car is only used once or twice or week (although for 30 mile journeys).

Is the gear selector switch moved by the gear lever?


danb79

9,667 posts

79 months

Tuesday 8th October
quotequote all
TonyRPH said:
davettf2 said:
10 to 1 its the gear selector switch. I've now replaced this twice. They seem to suffer if the car is not used regularly. Plus its a reasonably cheap fix compared to a gearbox oil change, which should be done at 80000 plus miles Don't believe the sealed for life!

Cheers
Dave
The low battery explanation provided by Dan is a more likely problem in my case I think - as the car is only used once or twice or week (although for 30 mile journeys).

Is the gear selector switch moved by the gear lever?
Yes. It has a carbon track that wears and causes issues. It'll generally throw an error code of 3C

Low battery is why there's a clunk. It's dropping into limp mode by the sounds of it