AT problem, Cannot get into gear

[Chaser]

My 95's E36 may have some problem on the AT. Sometime when I accelrate it, it seems cannpt get into the gear (only see the rpm move but the car cannot go)? Also, yesterday it died on the road and no gear can go, but after a while, may be it cooled down. It can get into to gear.

Does anyone know what happen to it? or anyone experienced? Please help !!

[bartman]

Did your Transmission Control Module Light (TCM) come one..It looks like a round gear with an exclamation point (!) in the middle?

[Chaser]

Yeah, the light came on at the cluster and the car run very slow at that moment like using high gear to start, very noisy but slow. After a while, it died on the road. An hour later, after tow. Its seemd normal, but I believe there are some problem on the transmission.

[bitcore]

there *IS* a problem with the transmission. If the light comes on at any time other than inital startup, there is a problem.
1st. Check the fluid level if you can. If it's normal, then it's either a mechanical failure or an electronic failure. Possibly your torque converter's going out and not locking into place like it should. That's whats wrong with my car, the torque converter's locking mechanism isn't working like it use to and it seems like it's "slipping" like a manual transmission with a worn out clutch would. Since the car is apparently undriveable, It's probably not just the torque converter... Take it to a mechanic specializing in transmission repair or the dealer$hip.

[bartman]

Same thing was happening to my 1993 325i. I had the transmission fluid/filter changed at 125k. When I turned the engine off and restarted it 10 seconds later the TCM light turned off. The light always returned, usually after very hard stops. My independent BMW mechanic ran some diagnostics and found a "Code 40" error from the TCM. Seems that BMW had a recall on the EPROM chip which controlled the TCM while back. My car was one of the years affected, so after my mechanic ordered the reprogrammed EPROM TCM chip no more transmission problems.

[Chaser]

So which parts I have to fix? As before, I experienced when I was driving normally on the gas pedal. sometime it looked like missed gear, only see the rpm rise but the car cannot accerate like shift in the "N" gear but actually its in "D". Anyone can pointed out my car's problem? I heard it comment on E36' AT. Please help ASAP!!!

[bitcore]

You need to take it to the dealership or a transmisssion repair shop.
As I said, it could be a torque converter, electronics went all screwey, or the gears and moving parts inside the transmission have gotten chewed up. You never really know untill someone looks at it.