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Transmission in limp mode.

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26K views 21 replies 8 participants last post by  Bosshog523i  
T
#1 ·
Hello guys, my 528i is in limp mode(3rd gear). Yellow gear w/exclaimation on dash, check engine light and dsc. No cruise control, no reverse lights. Just put a brand new battery in also. Obd codes thrown are.. p0600( can timeout egs1, and p 03040(camshaft position sensor intake). Peake research tool says. table 15. code 19,41,37,d9. Am in the process of checking connections. 161,000 miles on car. original everything. Other than maintence, new belts, just did the vanos seals,(fixed the idle issue). The car went into limp mode on the way home 4 months ago before any work was done to the car. Now im getting ABS, Triangle, transmission, check engine light. Did the dash test , (checks ok) Also, I have no transmission indicators on the instrument cluster. (PRND) THEY ARE GONE. I can shift the transmission into and out of gear without stepping on the brake.

Any help would be hugely appreciated guys....
:mad:
 
#2 ·
Check the alternator first!!! The fact that you have multiple warning lamps lit suggests an electrical fault is triggering the tranny issue. Measure the alternator output to determine functionality or take it to Autozone. BTW, Peake cannot read tranny codes. Need INPA, GT-1 or similar software.
 
#11 ·
Flybot said:
Anything is just a guess at this point. You need the transmission error codes.
Click to expand...
What they said!

For more information, simply type /limp F3 in the bestlinks, and this comes up:
- How people resolved transmission "Trans Failsafe Program", aka "Limp Mode" (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15)
 
T
#13 ·
Update: Checked fuses under passenger side cabin filter in engine bay and found BLOWN FUSE (30 AMP).

Replaced and PRND is back on dash= OUT OF LIMP MODE>>!!!
Full transmission control again....:angel:

I still have DSC, ABS, Brake light lit up. but check engine light is out.

Probably the abs controller at this point....:yikes:
 
#20 · (Edited)
tobesscooby said:
Update: Checked fuses under passenger side cabin filter in engine bay and found BLOWN FUSE (30 AMP)
Click to expand...
kmorgan_260 said:
I had a very similar problem on an e36
Click to expand...
Thanks for those updates. I took advantage of both of these to include them in the aforementioned reference threads, so that others find the information in the canonical threads, which then point back to here if they need more details.

tobesscooby said:
Pics of fuse location.
Click to expand...
These are excellent pictures!
They show the amperage of each fuse (which all the other pictures we have don't!).
EF1 = 30A, MAF, Cam sensor #1, DME, T-Stat, Evap emission valve (some say it's 30A - DME, Injectors, SMG Hydraulic unit)
EF2 = 30A, Fuel injectors, Both Vanos solenoids, Cam sensor #2, SAS pump electrical valve (some say it's 30A - DME, Idle control valve, Fuel tank ventilation valve, Fuel pump)
EF3 = 20A, Cam sensors, MAF, Crank Sensor, Heated O2 sensors (some say it's 30A, others say 25A - E-box fan, Transmission RPM sensor, CPS, MAF sensor, Fuel pump relay, SAP relay, A/C Compressor relay, Fuel tank leakage diagnostic module, SMG selector lever)
EF4 = 30A, DME (some say it's 30A - Oxygen sensors and oxygen sensor heater circuits)
EF5 = 30A, Unloader relay, power to coils (some say it's 30A - Fuel injector relay)

I'll take advantage of them by referencing them in the canonical fuse location threads, such as:
- One user's attempt at locating and snapping a picture of every single fuse & relay in the BMW E39 (1)
Photo below courtesy of JimLev:
Image
 
K
#14 ·
I had a very similar problem on an e36 and it turned out to be the solenoid that locks the tranny until you step on the brake. It had come unhooked on just one side of the connector. Take the console cover off by the shifter and check the connection. With the cover off you can watch the solenoid work each time you press the brake. It sounds like yours isn't working. A little cylinder should come out and locks the shifter until you press the brake and then it withdraws. It this is not connected properly it WILL put the tranny in limp mode.
 
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