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05 545i Transmission Surging Issues help!

796K views 1K replies 264 participants last post by  s.harmon5300 
#1 ·
So for the past several months I have noticed that when my 5 gets between 35 and 40 mph it starts surging, like it starts loosing power but gains it back, and it only happens within 35-40 and just steady driving. I took it to the dealer, and there are no codes present, the service manager, tech's and the advisor all took a ride and felt it each time. They said they contacted BMW NA and that they wont do anything, unless it throws a code, but when I call them(BMWNA) to talk(complain) about it they tell me it has to have a code as well, and yet I still ask them why I am driving around their car that has issues that they wont fix, and all they can say is sorry until a code comes up. Has anyone had any issues like this with the surging transmission, or know how to talk to Customer Relations so that something does happen? It's just really annoying driving around a car that has issues, and they wont stand behind their product.
 
#2 ·
Mine does it too, precisely as you describe. I took it to the dealer about a year ago - they claimed that that valves had carbon buildup. I paid $200 to have them cleaned, and the car exhibited the same behavior on the way home from the dealer, that same day. So avoid that diagnosis.

I think I notice that it stops happening if I reset the transmission programming with the 60 seconds on the foot pedal trick, but if so, it always returns. I'm not sure it's a showstopper problem, as long as it's not causing additional harm - but I wish it wouldn't do it.

Please post back here (or, better yet, PM me) if you determine what this issue is.
 
#8 ·
Please explain -

Thanks,
If you turn the key to position 2 (where all the power is on, but do not start the car), then push the throttle all the way down and hold it for 60-90 seconds, the car resets the information that the transmission has "learned" about your driving and begins anew.
 
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#4 ·
They told me the same thing in the start, stated that I should use gas with less ethonal, that didn't work. They told me that I should also have 3 to 5 fuel injection cleanings performed ($160.00 per time) But it was funny because when they suggested that, I had just had it done about 2 weeks prior to that comment. As far as the trick goes I don't really want to be doing that all of the time, It just really get's annoying when your driving down the road and it starts acting up, and wont stop until you decrease speed or increase your speed. Ill keep you up to date with any info, and if you here anything let me know. Thanks!
 
#9 ·
They told me the same thing in the start, stated that I should use gas with less ethonal, that didn't work.
That may be plausible - I live in Denver, and they use more ethanol in our gas here than is average. I don't think I can escape it though, if that's the case, unless I drive to Texas every time I want to fill up the tank...
 
#5 ·
What are the RPMs that you are at when this happens? I am also wondering what would happen if you placed the tranny in sport mode at the same MPH or even go into manual mode at the same MPH using gear 3 and 4.

I am just wondering at that speed in auto mode ( assuming a Steptronic) if the car is searching for the next gear or previous gear, might be right on a threshold.

Try it with the A/C on and A/C off too ( changing engine load.)
 
#7 · (Edited)
What are the RPMs that you are at when this happens?
For me, about 1500-1750 RPM, usually with very light throttle, moving at about 40 MPH.

I am just wondering at that speed in auto mode ( assuming a Steptronic) if the car is searching for the next gear or previous gear, might be right on a threshold.
I had this thought as well, and I specifically suspected that the transmission was indecisive about the 5 to 6 shift. I have since noticed that the problem _does_ occur in DS mode, where the transmission holds 5th gear, so that theory has lost steam in my mind.

I think the problem may be with the throttle, and not the transmission. There is no discernable tachometer movement when it happens - it really just feels as if I lighten my foot on the pedal very slightly and then resume.
 
#6 ·
Same thing here, does it for a while, then goes away.... like the OP, it happens at very low rpm's at the same speeds - seems like the car wants to shift down, but then just shift back up, with a little jerk or knock....... at first, I thought I had a misfire on one cylinder,... still do not know thoug...???:dunno:
 
#754 · (Edited)
i have exact that problem for about 3 years, dunno whats wrong .
Please help. it only happens when the car is cold in the morning.
Car doesnt send any message or warning about this issue.
Thats bother me so much
I have changed the filter and the oil about 40.000km:cry:

is that automatic transmission or something else like O2 sensor?
 
#10 ·
I have the same problem as noted above. One thing I did notice is that when the surging starts, if I try to shift to 6th manually it isn't smooth at all, and seems to jump when shifting. I was wondering if it was a 5th vs 6th thing as another poster was...and when shifting manually seemed to be a problem, I thought that may be part of the solution.

I took it to the dealer, and they couldn't reproduce it, as usual...so no fix.

It only took 6 times for them to fix my steering knock, so maybe I just have to keep taking it in.
 
#13 ·
Is there a new update since July 2009?
 
#14 ·
I have an 04 545 with 60k on the odometer. This same problem has been ocurring for 6 months. I have brought it to the dealership 3 times, and the first 2 times they could not replicate it.

They finally did and say it needs a new "valve body" which is about $5K for parts and labor. I am now trying to get my 3rd party warranty to cover it, and having no luck.
 
#17 ·
#18 ·
Possible Solution

Perhaps my experience will help others. Sorry if this is too lengthy.

Last Monday I took my 2005 545 in for service with this comment:
"The car goes through periods where a series of shocks go through the drive train while driving. They happen when the car is running on light throttle, like cruising. They feel like rough shifts but the RPMs don't change. It has been happening off and on for the last 6 months but has not been consistent enough to think that it would do it when brought in for service. A couple of weeks ago I noticed that it was happening in "S" mode at 60 to 70 mph almost every time. In drive mode it happens around 30 to 40 mph. In drive there will be a series of jerks and then a shift where I can see the RPMs drop. In "S" I get a series of jerks that don't seem to stop until I move the control to drive and then I get a hard shift into top gear. The speeds are pretty consistent. I only get the jerks in drive around 30 to 40 and only get the jerks in "S" around 60 to 70. Running up through the gears with the transmission shifting itself seems normal with no rough or hard shifts. It is only in the "cruising" part throttle situation where it shows up."

I am 8 months out of warranty and used my aftermarket warranty on this car for the first time.
The diagnosis was "Issue occurs in 5th gear regardless of manual/sport drive setting. Mechatronics/valve body is faulty and requires replacement along with use of new trans oil."
The bill was $4151.81. The dealer (Crevier in Santa Ana, CA) did have to get approval from the warranty adjuster. My payment was $100.00. (Yes I was 'repaid' my warranty cost on the first use.)

I picked the car up last night and, so far, everything is normal. The hard shift when moving from S to drive at freeway speeds is gone.

The part number on the invoice is 24-34-7-571-233 and is listed as "RMFD Mechatronics" a rebuilt unit. Unit price $2919.27. Also listed is 12 1/2 liters of oil (I'm assuming trans fuid). Labor was $870.00.
 
#20 ·
Perhaps my experience will help others. Sorry if this is too lengthy.

Last Monday I took my 2005 545 in for service with this comment:
"The car goes through periods where a series of shocks go through the drive train while driving. They happen when the car is running on light throttle, like cruising. They feel like rough shifts but the RPMs don't change. It has been happening off and on for the last 6 months but has not been consistent enough to think that it would do it when brought in for service. A couple of weeks ago I noticed that it was happening in "S" mode at 60 to 70 mph almost every time. In drive mode it happens around 30 to 40 mph. In drive there will be a series of jerks and then a shift where I can see the RPMs drop. In "S" I get a series of jerks that don't seem to stop until I move the control to drive and then I get a hard shift into top gear. The speeds are pretty consistent. I only get the jerks in drive around 30 to 40 and only get the jerks in "S" around 60 to 70. Running up through the gears with the transmission shifting itself seems normal with no rough or hard shifts. It is only in the "cruising" part throttle situation where it shows up."

I am 8 months out of warranty and used my aftermarket warranty on this car for the first time.
The diagnosis was "Issue occurs in 5th gear regardless of manual/sport drive setting. Mechatronics/valve body is faulty and requires replacement along with use of new trans oil."
The bill was $4151.81. The dealer (Crevier in Santa Ana, CA) did have to get approval from the warranty adjuster. My payment was $100.00. (Yes I was 'repaid' my warranty cost on the first use.)

I picked the car up last night and, so far, everything is normal. The hard shift when moving from S to drive at freeway speeds is gone.

The part number on the invoice is 24-34-7-571-233 and is listed as "RMFD Mechatronics" a rebuilt unit. Unit price $2919.27. Also listed is 12 1/2 liters of oil (I'm assuming trans fuid). Labor was $870.00.
Hey Quick question, how did you get the dealer to finally realize this was the issue? They keep telling me to get a fuel injection cleaning or 3 (which one was done not even 2,000 miles ago) Was there any special thing that you had to do to get a code or something, it seems like my dealer here is just being stubborn...
Thanks!
 
#19 ·
I had a similar annoying transmission issue with my 550. There are two SIBs out that address transmission programming issues and the fix for both problems is the same software update. Often BMW will not update your car upon request unless you describe the exact problems on the SIBs (sometimes service advisor's don't know about the SIBs) so do a search for transmission surge SIBs, take a copy of the SIB in to BMW, tell them your car does exactly what is described in the SIB, and get you car transmission software updated. Bottom line: what you describe is likely a programming issue and can be changed with an update.
 
#21 ·
I did not go through anything like the problems that some others have had. I just gave the dealer my written comments that I quoted above and told the service rep I would be available to take a test drive. The service technician did not need me to do that.
Here is the write up from the technician:
"Test drove car-When vehicle is in 5th gear customer's issue is observed (regardless of manual/sport setting. Issue occurs in 5th). Check fault memory. No relevant faults logged. Check trans fluid level/condition. Fluid slightly grey. But not excessively dark or contaminated. Check vehicle E. software status and contact ZF transmission rep. As per transmission rep, mechatroics/valve body is faulty and requires replacement along with use of new trans oil"
I don't know why there were no faults logged. It's odd how the car will record somethings and not others.
I do have to say that I would rather have had the solution be a software reprogram than this hardware issue since it would have been a lot cheaper but the hardware change does seem to have solved the problem for me.
 
#23 ·
This is great, not the whole situation, but that it can be resolved, hopefully this means good things, Im taking all of this to my SA today hopefully this goes well. Thanks for the info!
 
#25 ·
Update so far, dealer called yesterday said they were "working on it" and that they would be calling me within a day or two to let me know if they will be able to fix it or another no... One thing that they said to me was, "well the person on here who had it fix lived in California....They have different emissions there" But when I asked how they could have the same exact problem I was having, they couldn't answer that. Great huh?
 
#26 ·
Update so far, dealer called yesterday said they were "working on it" and that they would be calling me within a day or two to let me know if they will be able to fix it or another no... One thing that they said to me was, "well the person on here who had it fix lived in California....They have different emissions there" But when I asked how they could have the same exact problem I was having, they couldn't answer that. Great huh?
Wow, how sad.:tsk:

It baffles me how dealers act stupid when they are asked to fix a problem that they have never fixed. Don't they get paid for their diagnoses time if the car is under warranty?
 
#28 ·
Ok so update my SA called today and told me that BMW will not do anything about it without throwing a code...any suggestions? He told me I should call my after market warranty company and talk to them to see if they would be willing to do the work, but I think at this point im going on principal if BMW has replaced it for others, why not me?
 
#29 ·
I almost bought a car that had a similar problem according to the seller. He said that they had to replace the mechatronic unit or soemthing that sounds like that.
 
#30 ·
Don't know if any one has any other suggestions, but so far dealing with BMW NA has proven to have failed me. Ive been in contact with a representative who has been trying to help me all the way up until last wednesday(10/28/09). She told me that the "area manager" is saying no to looking into this case, that if I want my transmission fixed I should have my local dealer replace the part that everyone is saying is the issue, and "if" it fixes the surging issue, BMW NA may consider paying a percentage of the repair. I don't think that this is right since this surging problem has been happening since about 42k miles... She told me she would try and see if she could go above the area manager and see what could be done, but I haven't heard back from her, and I have called her back thursday, friday, and today, left messages each time, and still no call back... Any suggestions on what to do?
 
#32 ·
Same or similar here, I jsut bought and '04, and I didn't notice the issue on the test drive, but it became present later. I am out of BMW warranty, but purchased a well-covered third-party warranty.

I am not sure if I have experienced surging, but the transmission is hesitant, like flat when it comes to shifting up, around the 40 mph range.

BMW should pay for this to be fixed. It's a defect.
 
#33 ·
Rep called back today, well after I called her, she was out sick and really is trying to help me still, she is going to have the diag fees covered so we can keep moving on this issue...I guess it really does go to show if your polite to the person they are more willing to help you.... I guess it would be really good if we could get as many e60 preferably 04 to 06 owners if they are having this same problem, to speak up the more evidence we have of this the more they will be willing to help!!
 
#35 ·
I got lucky with mine, when I bought my 545 it was still under factory warranty, and I felt it then so it has been an on going issue, and they have to look further into it. I guess the best advice right now would be to take it to the dealer and tell them what it is doing, see if you can get them to ride with you to see if it does it while they are in the car, and then the next step would be if they are not willing to help you, or they wont continue with diag time with out you paying for it, call BMW NA, and talk to ext 7792 her name is Mandy, she is one of the best reps I have ever talked to through there, and being polite to the reps is the best thing to do, but first go to the dealer, just calling bmw without taking it to the dealer may cause some issues...
 
#36 · (Edited)
OMG....I thought I was all alone. My car has been doing this for the past year...to tha T...took it to dealer 2 or 3 times...and the damn car wouldn't do it...pull away and it would start doing it again...b.s. When someone has a resolution, please fill us all in. I think I'm going to call BMW bc this is horrible that they are not willing to fix.

I have tried the reset..and it works sometime...but a 60k car shouldn't require a damn reset for it to work properly for 1 week.

A Carolla transmission is smoother than mine....why did i buy this damn car!? o, bc it handles like a beast, hugs highway curves, and goes 130 mph as easy as a nascar...forgot...but was it worth it?
 
#37 ·
one other issue im having...

if i accelerate hard to say 75 or 80 mph..randomly my car will jerk so hard that it feels like someone hit me from behind almost..or like someone pulled my car back for a split second..definitely something with the transmission...scared the heck out of me the first time it happened...

anyone else experience this?
 
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