92 325is Auto Shift problem

[tnan1974]

I'm getting frustrated with my 92 325is (auto) transmission. Now that the weather is getting cold here in Toronto, Canada...my bimmer has shifting problems when I start.

PROBLEM:
Within 3 seconds after I start the car, I will hear a slight "click" sound coming from under the car (transmission area). That sound signifies to me that the transmission will not shift properly. So when I shift to 'D' and start, the car would start on the highest gear (overdrive gear)....similar if a person driving a standard car, shifting into 5 off the start. So when I drive the car would not shift anywhere. Someone told me that its as simple as changing the transmission oil....could this be the case?


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[93 325i]

Changing the fluid is a good place to start with.. that's what i'd do. If that doesn't help i'd bet you'd need to replace the tranny. Good luck

[red325ix]

are you sure the transmission is not going into fail safe mode? is there a little yellow light with a gear on it lit up on your dash?

[tnan1974]

Originally Posted by red325ix

are you sure the transmission is not going into fail safe mode? is there a little yellow light with a gear on it lit up on your dash?

There's not any light on my dash signifying a problem....but thanks for concern....

[thekid]

Yep fluid is a good place to start. Can you pull it down to something lower than D to make it take the gear?

[tnan1974]

Originally Posted by thekid

Yep fluid is a good place to start. Can you pull it down to something lower than D to make it take the gear?

When I pull it down to 1 or 2 or 3 it still starts in overdrive.....

the way i get around it (which i'm sure is not good for the car) is turn off the car in D, release the brake so that it rolls to a stop (less then a foot) then shift back to P, then start the car, and then 8 out of 10 times its back to normal.....

[4evrwyntr]

I've never heard of this. I'd check tranny fluids as well... no clutch grinding at all, huh?

[tnan1974]

Originally Posted by 4evrwyntr

I've never heard of this. I'd check tranny fluids as well... no clutch grinding at all, huh?

I know, I've never heard or read about this problem....I definitly think its a sign of the ending life of this tranny....

no ginding sounds whatsoever...basically its like i mentioned in an earlier post, the only sound is a "click" sound coming from underneith.....

thanks anyways.....i'll first change the tranny fluid, and see what happens

[tnan1974]

Well I finally had the tranny checked up by a certified bmw mechanic, and he said that the tranny oil was fine (and i don't need to change it) he said it may be something like a solonoid in the tranny....what the heck is that?

the problem i had (which is the reason I took it in) was that my auto 92' 325is is starting in the overdrive gear when i shift it in 'D' and it takes forever to gain any speed.....has anyone heard of or had the same problem?