'05 4.4 5th gear hiccup/stopping jerks

Hello all,
Recently purchased this 05 4.4i with 90k miles and in 5th gear only does this happen. After it is in 5th for approx. 5 seconds the trans feels like it stutters or hiccups every 3 seconds or so. Similar to a loss in power but only for 1/2 second each time. Every other gear is great. No slipping in any gears including 5th. Also, when you pull to a stop and rolling stops, it seems to be in neutral for a few seconds before it goes into 1st gear. I think it may be the valve body and I plan on changing the fluid and filter soon to see if this corrects it, but I wanted some opinions on this to see if I can fix something while I'm changing fluids. Any input will be appreciated. Thanks!

DaddyX5, I have the same issue, but it doesn't happen all the time.
It is only in 5th gear at about 60km/hr, a hiccup every 3-4 secs for a fraction of a second.
Has anyone else found an answer to this?

Cheers

I ALSO have this same problem, it does not happen all the time but often enough where it starts to annoy... only happens b/w 30~40mph on 5th gear.

I'm assuming this could be caused by misfire on one of the plugs perhaps?...

Any thoughts will be appreciated!

Originally Posted by ccroton

DaddyX5, I have the same issue, but it doesn't happen all the time.
It is only in 5th gear at about 60km/hr, a hiccup every 3-4 secs for a fraction of a second.
Has anyone else found an answer to this?

Cheers

I thought mine was a misfire, had all the plugs replaced but still there.
Feels like you're driving along and rapidly yanking on the handbrake for a fraction of a second every 20 secs or so at 60kms in 5th gear
Any further ideas?

I just purchased my 2004 X5 4.4i and find myself in the unfortunate situation as described by the OP. Has anybody found out the source of these problems?
Thanks.

This happens once in a while and it's getting annoying too...

Got the X5 from Fields BMW yesterday, they performed a software update on both ECU and whatever they call the transmission control module. They also performed an emissions related recall which (software update), from what I was told by the service rep, allows more diagnostic information to independent mechanics. The fifth gear hiccup at the 35 mph steady state operation is gone as well as the rough 2-1 gear shift when coming to a stop. I'll be reporting on its behavior once I put a few hundred miles. I'll also be changing the transmission oil/filter and transfer case oil. I don't buy the "lifetime fluid" policy especially when their OEM fluids aren't fully synthetic.

Sounds good! I've also called the dealer and was told to bring the vehicle in to take care of one recall which hasn't been looked at. Hopefully this will also solve the hiccup on my vehicle.

Originally Posted by KartelACE

Got the X5 from Fields BMW yesterday, they performed a software update on both ECU and whatever they call the transmission control module. They also performed an emissions related recall which (software update), from what I was told by the service rep, allows more diagnostic information to independent mechanics. The fifth gear hiccup at the 35 mph steady state operation is gone as well as the rough 2-1 gear shift when coming to a stop. I'll be reporting on its behavior once I put a few hundred miles. I'll also be changing the transmission oil/filter and transfer case oil. I don't buy the "lifetime fluid" policy especially when their OEM fluids aren't fully synthetic.

Follow up on this if you don't mind..

I am having a similar issue in 5th only. I just changed my transmission oil, filter, etc. and that helped immensely on all the issues with rough shifting, etc. but the 5th gear hiccup is worse.

Did you have any hiccups at higher speeds? Mine happens at any speed up to 80mph (after that it does NOT do it)

Thanks for any info!

*Update*

I've brought in my X5 to the dealer to get the software update (recall), the next day I picked it up and I immediately noticed that the 5th gear hiccup(jerk) was no longer present. However, it appears that sometimes 1st to 2nd gear shifting is rough at times which wasn't there before... However, annoying 5th gear hiccup/jerk is GONE!

Originally Posted by infamous212

*Update*

I've brought in my X5 to the dealer to get the software update (recall), the next day I picked it up and I immediately noticed that the 5th gear hiccup(jerk) was no longer present. However, it appears that sometimes 1st to 2nd gear shifting is rough at times which wasn't there before... However, annoying 5th gear hiccup/jerk is GONE!

Hopefully I have the same results!

Waiting on my cable now so I can update mine