Grinding noise in "park" and "neutral" only - BMW Forum

Texas318i · 09-30-2008, 10:39 PM

I've just acquired a 1995 318i with auto transmission. I'm new to bmw's and just joined the site. I've driven the car for about 2 weeks now and ran great, no issues at all. Today after pulling in the driveway and putting it in park, a grinding noise started coming from underneath car (I think). I shifted around a little and found it only does it in neutral and park while standing still. All others, no noise. The car runs and drives fine otherwise. It does go into gear kind of stout though but again I've never driven a bmw before so have nothing to compare it to.
The car has 78,000 miles on it now but I should add that my sister had the tranny rebuilt 1,500 or so miles ago. I don't think the torque converter was replaced at that time. I checked fluid and it's full but don't have a service manual for the car yet (what manual's the best?) so thought I'd post here. Any advice appreciated.

bimmerguy82 · 10-01-2008, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas318i

I've just acquired a 1995 318i with auto transmission. I'm new to bmw's and just joined the site. I've driven the car for about 2 weeks now and ran great, no issues at all. Today after pulling in the driveway and putting it in park, a grinding noise started coming from underneath car (I think). I shifted around a little and found it only does it in neutral and park while standing still. All others, no noise. The car runs and drives fine otherwise. It does go into gear kind of stout though but again I've never driven a bmw before so have nothing to compare it to.
The car has 78,000 miles on it now but I should add that my sister had the tranny rebuilt 1,500 or so miles ago. I don't think the torque converter was replaced at that time. I checked fluid and it's full but don't have a service manual for the car yet (what manual's the best?) so thought I'd post here. Any advice appreciated.

Is it something you can feel through the shifter, or just something you can hear in park and neutral? Cause the ICV will make a buzzing noise in park and neutral. You need a Bentley manual.

Texas318i · 10-01-2008, 06:48 AM

I just googled icv and I don't think it's the idle control valve cause it idles great and no warning light on dash at all. I cannot feel vibration in the shifter either in neutral or park when it happens, I'm puzzled.

marti5 · 10-01-2008, 01:24 PM

propshaft bush, as in drive and reverse its underload and the prop moves slightly down on the bush, in P and N its central thus flapping around in the bush.

Texas318i · 10-01-2008, 01:53 PM

I don't understand those terms but if you mean torque converter I'm thinking that's the problem now. Just took it for a drive and it shifts great when warmed up but coming to a stop it kind of jerks alittle right before movement ceases. Still no noise except in park and neutral. My sister had the tranny rebuilt 1,500 miles ago at a regular tranny shop and I doubt torque converter was replaced given what I remember she said she paid. I don't have a manual yet, is there a sensor or anything on the tranny that may have gone bad? What's a torque converter cost at bmw and what about aftermarket? Thanks

johnnyBgood · 10-01-2008, 02:54 PM

Could be the converter, but.....
I don't know. How long ago was the trans replaced? only 1,500 miles is not much, I would bring it back to the trans shop, for the sole reason they had the transmission out of the car & maybe they missed something....
johnny,

Texas318i · 10-01-2008, 03:54 PM

The trans work was done in California and the car is now in texas. I inherited it and just trailered it back home a week and a half ago.

Texas318i · 10-01-2008, 04:37 PM

Now when put in drive the car will barely start to move then stop. Giving it gas doesn't budge it at all.

marti5 · 10-02-2008, 02:28 PM

converter, has to be!

denyo77 · 10-03-2008, 04:06 AM

why did she get the tranny rebuilt anyways? A BMW tranny usually lasts a lot longer, especially an auto tranny

Texas318i · 10-03-2008, 02:53 PM

She lived in San Francisco and the VERY steep up and down hills just took their toll I guess. She probably never really used the tranny either, just left it in drive. What do you think, torque converter? I've got a Bentley manual on the way and am looking for a tc now. BMW wants $1,400 so won't get it there. Anyone know a place or even a part #? What tranny came in this car (1995 318i auto).

deadbimmer · 03-03-2011, 02:05 PM

i have a 1995 bmw 325i 4 door. my car has just started doing this. what should i do to stop this before it gets worse or meets the same end as the guy who started this post. i had the transmission rebuilt last may. i have put around 6000-8000 miles on it since then.