Transmission Problem. Atleast Look, Please! :P

[Scyrusurcys]

I've got a 1995 540i, automatic. When my car shifts in the AD mode, it shifts 1st through 2nd just fine, but when shifting from 2nd to 3rd, it stalls and won't shift. Also, when I rev it up high into the 4000RPM range, the whole car jerks back and forth like something is caught up on the fan or something. Can anyone explain this and possibly give an estimate on cost for repair?

[97alpineM3]

When was the last time the tranny fluid was changed?

Les

[Scyrusurcys]

Actually I'm not exactly sure. I bought it from the last owner about 4 months ago and he never provided when the last tune-up was. Where is the transmission fluid on my car? Will I have to take it to a mechanic to change it?

[97alpineM3]

Well... here is what I know...

You have the A5S 560Z 5 speed tranny

Troubleshooting:

Check to see if your fluid is dirty or has a burned odor. A burned odor usually indicates overheated fluid. Minor automatic tranny problems can often be correct by draining and refulling with new fluid. Check fluid too... but its easier to just drain and refill.

Inspect the tranny it self... Check all electrical connectors... and obvious leaks.

With your symptoms... this is what I got....

Irregular drive in all foward gears...
- ATF level low.
- ATF pump strainer (filter) partially clogged.
- Tranny range switch faulty.
- Internal tranny damage.

Tranny slips durring cornering:
- ATF fluid low.
- Clogged ATF fluid filter.

Hard jolt on upshift or downshift
- Faulty clutches within tranny.
- Valve body faulty.
- Tranny electronics faulty.

No upshift into 2nd, 3rd or 4th gear.
- Faulty tranny range switch.
- Tranny valve body solenoid faulty.
- Valve body faulty.
- Tranny electronics

Upshift delayed in all gears:
- ATF fluid low.
- valve body contaminated or plugged.
- Internal pressure valves sticking or faulty.
- Tranny electronics faulty.

I got more coming... hold

give ya someting to read while I type.

Les

[97alpineM3]

Diagnostic time....

Stall Speed, checking...

Check all fluid before testing...

this checks the torque converter and planetary gear system when there is no other apparent cause for tranny slippage.

A precise tachometer should be used...

This test should be never longer than ten seconds.

Drive the car... warm her up...
Connect tach according to instrument manufacturer instructions

Make sure you can read it...

Set the parking break.... and depress the brake fully to the ground.

Select tranny to D range

Press accelerator to the floor... no more than 10 seconds...

Record max rpm (stall speed)

Engine should increase then hold steady

If you live in high altitudes... 125rpm lower than specified for each 1k above sea level.

Your car should stall at 1871-2042 rpms.

If your stall speed is below the range... by a few hundred... then probably your engine has reduced engine performance.

Any more than 400 rpms low... it indicates a faulty torqaue converter stator or ATF pump....

This is one of the main tests....

Les

[97alpineM3]

I can also tell you how to test the internal pump pressure...

Also... your tranny uses semi synthetic ATF... only available from BMW dealer... Dexron must not be used in your tranny...

As to how to drain your tranny fluid....

Remove the drain plug on side of the tranny... should be the drivers side...

There should be a fill plug above it... take that out first... and then the lower.

If you are doing a full service....

Remove oil sump mounting bolts and remove sump and sump gasket...

Remove the strainer mounting screws and remove strainer..

Just so you know... there are pictures online... you just have to search....

remember to replace the drain plug seal and all gaskets and o rings...

The fluid level is correct once you replace all of the above in reverse order... and when the fluid is spilling from the fill hole.

make sure car is level... place tranny in neutral... start car... and add more fluid till it spills from the filler plug.

You will need.. Bmw semi synthetic fluid... (Shell LA 2634) 5.5 L (5.8qts)

that should do ya...

Good luck.... and if your not mechanically inclined... take it to a shop.

Les

[Scyrusurcys]

97AlpineM3, you are my hero. I'm exactly a mechanical guru, but if the only place in town that's not a BMW dealer couldn't fix this problem, then maybe I'll have to go by this guide.

I have one other question: where is my power steering fluid resovoir?

Thanks again for your help!

[97alpineM3]

Neverminding all of the above... I'd do this...

You can do this if you want...

Change the fluid... its probably time either way...

Check all of the electronic connections under there...

If those dont fix it... you might want to take it to a dealer... or a BMW shop.

Good luck... and I hope you stick around the site... you have a beautiful car btw....

Your power steering pump is located on the lower left front of the engine... and the resevoir is located in the front left part of the engine compartment... BMW uses ATF fluid for powersteering fluid also... just so you know..

Les

[Scyrusurcys]

Well, I guess it's too late to say 'nevermind the whereabouts question on my power steering resovoir'. I knew where it was, don't know why I asked -Stupid me.

Anyway, thanks again for the info. I've got more problems than I need with this car; college is killing my piggy-bank.

[97alpineM3]

A Bentley manual helps.... with pretty much everything.

Les

[sp0rky]

Sorry to hear about your problem.

I hate to say this, but BMWs are a pain. Not a good choice for a college student. Ask me how I know... lol. I'm incredibly tired of having to fix this thing. Yeah, yeah, yeah, so it's always something stupid and small, but it all adds up. As much as I love the car, though. $2K / year in a car worth $3K is totally not acceptable to me.

I have since been shopping for the "right" Lexus as my daily driver while my BMW can sit and watch until the weekends.