e34 525i automatic gearbox problem - BMW Forum

Mr-Dee · 05-03-2010, 05:21 PM

Hi, wonder if anyone can help me, have had some problems with my auto gearbox lately, first It wouldnt go into 4th gear, checked the gearbox fluid, found it was low and topped it up, the next day the gearbox worked fine, then the next day found that reversing needed high revs to reverse but all other gears fine, then the next day all was fine, today I got in the car and found the gearbox was giving the effect of a slipping clutch in forward gears but reverse fine, drove about 20 miles and the slipping clutch effect got worse and worse until I lost all drive in forward gears, but reverse fine.

The car has been recoverred and have no forward drive, but the thing I cant understand is why it has been so random, last night I parked it up fine, this morning it has this slipping clutch type problem, it has given this slipping clutch type effect before, but the next day was fine again, but have now lost all forward drive.

Also for a little while when I have put it in neutral it hasnt quite been it neutral, usually the revs pick up slightly in neutral, but lately it has still seemed as if it has been in gear slightly, but not enough to move if you know what I mean

I dont know if its the gearbox itself or the gearbox control module ecu ?

what do I do ? :-( any advice would be appreciated

Thankyou

e34bmw535i · 05-14-2010, 12:15 PM

hey. sorry to hear about your transmission problem. did you put the correct fluid in when you topped it off? try draining the fluid completely and re-filling it with proper fluid.

i have a question for you. how did you check/add the transmission fluid? i need to check mine in my 535i. i think they have the same tranny.

Mr-Dee · 05-14-2010, 02:47 PM

I just did it by the book using the correct fluid, with the engine running select each gear slowly from 1st, 2nd etc up to park and check fluid, depending on gearbox fill using the gearbox dipstick tube (but use a small funnel)

All I can say is - DONT LET YOUR TRANSMISSION FLUID RUN LOW !
Unfortunately it cost me my car :-( it will be turned into coke cans in a couple of weeks, Overhauling one of these gearboxes is out of the question and finding a KNOWN good second hand box with torque converter from the same engine is near on impossible even if you could find someone to fit it

Miguel Sanchez · 11-17-2011, 05:17 AM

sorry to dig up an old thread but ive got simular probem. 89 e34 525i (my 1st auto car) has no forward but reverse ok. gearbox was fine but felt it go when was under abit of load then just nothing. im guessing its not just a simple sensor change?
cheers

Jack Dabsy · 11-17-2011, 02:31 PM

Maybe FLUSH the gearbox completely before introducing the new stuff !!
Also clean or replace the tranny filter... These units are very strong otherwise...

Jack Dabsy · 11-17-2011, 02:34 PM

Maybe FLUSH the gearbox completely before introducing the new stuff !!
Also clean or replace the tranny filter... These units are very strong otherwise...

Miguel Sanchez · 11-17-2011, 08:29 PM

cheers mate, will give it a try on the weekend. oil smells abit burnt. got quoted roughly $1500 (aud) to rebuild it. thats worst case scenario. cut open n clean torque converter, new forward clutches + seals etc

Mr-Dee · 11-18-2011, 11:40 AM

Sounds very strange that you lost forward gears suddenly, when mine went the forward gears were slipping for a little while as if the clutch wasnt fully releasing type of effect, just be carefull when replacing gearbox fluid, as that can be the time belts strip. although expensive the price you have for refurbing is sounds good (I was quoted £1,800 (england))
Good luck and I hope yours is ok ;-)

Miguel Sanchez · 12-06-2011, 06:32 AM

ended up replacing the friction and steel A clutch plates + seals etc. they were all cooked. was abit of black shit in the pan but oil pump was clean so hope the filter got most of it. runs sweet now anyways. cheers

Jack Dabsy · 12-06-2011, 10:28 AM

Great news, but I bet they were cooked because of low oil...

Miguel Sanchez · 12-09-2011, 09:37 PM

oil level was good, think its just showing its age and probs giving it abit too much of a hard time. but apparently when the two seals on the input shaft wear oil can by-pass straight to the piston instead of all to the torque converter and loading up the clutch too much? all sorted now anyway. only cost me about $300 aud.

Jack Dabsy · 12-10-2011, 01:11 PM

Ah well... All sorted, sorry I couldn't pinpoint this earlier mate... Happy Motoring Dude ;-)