1992 325i Automatic going into Limp Mode

[slrcf]

My automatic 325i has the //M transmission in it. On occasion it makes a lurch and goes into limp mode with little power on the take off. it is still fine at highway speed though. As well, it has happened a couple of times that it goes into neutral and then back into gear. the fix for this is to shut the car off with it in park then start again. it always works fine after sitting shut off for 10 seconds or so.

I am wondering what might be causing this as well as what is the sollution.

thanks for any info you might have

[David Mc]

Check the alternator output and battery condition - this is an electro-mechanical transmission and it sounds like when the alternator is spinning at high rpm, the change pattern is normal (i.e. when driving at highway speed). When you shut the car off, the alternator output initially maxxs out after you restart, to top off the battery but quickly drops after the initial surge (causing the transmission to revert to limp mode), which sounds like the problem.

[slrcf]

Thanks for the reply. I will look at that. I have been working through the small issues first, and moving up to the bigger (more expensive) ones.