shifting electronics problem or transmission

[fagbenro]

[QUOTE=fagbenro]

Originally Posted by fagbenro

316i 95 or 96 e36 hi all,
am new in the forum. i have a bmw refered to in the title space.the transmission light doesnt go off after starting or it comes on during driving and the cars doesnt select some gear maybe 1,2 and 4,5 again whats the cause and solution please?
[you are as healthy as the help you find]

[David Mc]

Check the transmission fluid level using this procedure Pelican Technical Article: BMW Automatic Transmission Fluid Change then run a diagnostic on the car and see what errors show up for the EGS module.

[fagbenro]

thanks...but my 316i doesnt have where you put the fliud..the manuals says its not changeable? but seriously i have not seen anywhere in the hood i see engine oil,brake,power steering but no gear oil pot

[David Mc]

That is why you need to read the link I sent you, BMW transmissions are "sealed for life" but fluid can still get contaminated and leaks can develop which require them to be serviced. Just because there is no filler tube or dipstick does not mean they are OK, particularly in a car that is over 10 years old.

[fagbenro]

thanks i sent the reply before i read through. its very interesting.the filter was changed 2years ago.some one told me that auto transmission brain box has a fault.....its located in a compatment above the battery space(if its on the left side when facing the hood) there are two brain boxes as i,learnt...any light on that sir? the picture is herewith attached.

[David Mc]

There are more than just two electronic control modules (brain boxes) in most BMW's. Yours will have one for the automatic transmission, one for the engine, possibly one for the body electronics, instrument cluster etc. The module that controls the automatic transmission is called the EGS (Elektronisches Getriebe Steuerung) module and fault codes can be read from the module to assist in identifying and rectification of mechanical and electrical faults in the system. You need to check the transmission fluid type and level first and then connect the car to a computer with BMW diagnostic software like INPA/EDIABAS, DIS or Carsoft to read the faults.

This will help you understand the fault codes http://www.scribd.com/doc/1703639/BMW-ERROR-CODES

[MADDOUG]

Low system voltage will flag up the transmission warning light and esp after start up when the starter has robbed most of the battery's power.

The box goes into limp mode and pulls away in 3rd gear.

Do not just blame the gear box as a bad engine sensor will see trans program flagged up,the ecu uses the trans program to slow the car up and prevent damage to it.

So have the codes read and most likely just an engine sensor gone down or an intermittent fault with one of them.

The engine ecu and gearbox ecu both 'talk' to each other and plot the gear changes etc

[David Mc]

+1 Low alternator output and/or poor battery are primary reasons for the EGS slipping into limp mode.

[fagbenro]

i was thinking it would be an electrical fault rather than the transmission because it just went through full services some month ago. someone said i should change the brain box for the electronic control module (brain boxes)autogear box........how true please?thanks for the concern

[David Mc]

Unless the auto gearbox control unit has been submerged in water or subjected to very high voltage, I think that it is unlikely to be the cause of the problem. Pull the diagnostic codes from it and you will soon know.