Trans Program car won't start

[eshwars]

Hi all,

Today when I tried to start my '95 540i it refused to start (starter keeps cranking but engine doesn't start) and I see the message "Trans program" come up. I don't know if this is related, but recently I had a power steering liquid leak which I had fixed. I know that there's a washer fluid leak as well (because the level gets low even if I don't use it) but my mechanic couldn't find it -- and he found no other leaks.

My car has approx. 70k miles on it.

Any ideas on what might be wrong and how I should proceed? :(

[Scott C 95 525]

Get your engine running first, then worry about the Trans Prog...

Here is a link:
http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/trouble/TransProgram.asp

You sure your battery is good?

Scott

[eshwars]

Thanks for the tip. I tried jump starting the car. When I do this, I don't see the trans program warning. So perhaps the message is a red-herring.

The car still won't start though. :(

I created a fresh post about that with what the mechanic observed (can't access DME).

[Scott C 95 525]

Low voltage WILL cause the problem....

[crash8168]

Its not a red herring, they are related. There is a relay that will go bad leaving you with a no start and a trans program message.

[mliou]

Hi,

My 1994 BMW 530i did the same thing yesterday.
How did you fix your problem in the end?

Help! Don't want to be ripped off just because I'm a girl and am completely clueless about cars...

M

[mliou]

Oh, I also forgot to say that I'd on occasion get that message if I didn't deactivate the immobiliser properly. Then that yesterday morning, I had an message saying "brake light circuit" but at least one brake light was still working. Then that evening, spark plugs were firing, but engine didn't want to turn. Battery light was on. That's went "trans program" message came on.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!