Transmission Issues...Need help with fault codes and more!

The check engine light came on in my dad's 2002 530i, so he takes it in to the dealer and they told him that they had to replace 1 ingition coil. (The car already had al 6 replaced earlier this year). 1 week later the service engine light returns, he drives it to the dealer and they tell him that he needs to replace the transmission at a price tag of $4k. He has an extended API warranty but they are not willing to cover it because they are not convinced that it is a transmission failure. BMW has read the following fault codes and have stated that the transmission must be replaced without any investigation.

The codes that were displayed were: P0740, P0741, P2746

I would appreciate it if someone could decipher the codes for me. I'm not sure what my dad is going to do now. API has asked him to take the car to AMCO to have the transmission looked at. Not sure what to do our how to really proceed....The mechanic at the dealership said that it does not appear to be a wear issue, and believes that a seal or something may have broken in the transmission, because the fluid has changed colors. Any help or advice is appreciated. Thanks.

Edit: I forgot to mention that it's an automatic.

i have the same car -same trans. you should not be having this kind of problem. the ZF 5HP 19 is tip-top. did you get the car pre-owned? what are the miles now? the car must have been drivin over a curb or something like that.

Originally Posted by MikeCTM2

i have the same car -same trans. you should not be having this kind of problem. the ZF 5HP 19 is tip-top. did you get the car pre-owned? what are the miles now? the car must have been drivin over a curb or something like that.

nope, my dad bought the car brand new...and has only ever had BMW of Sterling in Northen Va. service the car. Never hit a curb or anything either...at least not that I know of...but how would this cause transmission failure or the fault codes?

a rough est. of the miles please. driving over a curb is what i said, not just hitting a curb. and, "or something (else) like that" ie: racing through a parking lot at night and running over a parking block you didn't see.

i got that from you saying broken seals in the tranny.

Originally Posted by MikeCTM2

a rough est. of the miles please. driving over a curb is what i said, not just hitting a curb. and, "or something (else) like that" ie: racing through a parking lot at night and running over a parking block you didn't see.

i got that from you saying broken seals in the tranny.

approx. 70,000miles...i guess that's possible, but wouldn't that also require alot of damage on the underside of the vehicle, and not just seals within the transmission. and my dad is pretty careful about that kinda stuff, he doesn't really drive that aggressively or fast for that matter.

anybody have any info on the fault codes?

Hey guys i'm having the same isssues with my 03 525 . Any ideas

The P0740 and P0741 codes are the dreaded torque clutch converter (TCC) codes. Have someone with a GT-1, INPA or similar code reader reset these and see if they come back. If they do, your tranny TC is toast.