1994 325i Auto Transmission Problem...I think...

I bought the car a few weeks ago and drove it home without a problem. But then something weird happened...The first gear works flawlessly, but when it goes into second, I get nothing! It just revs up like its in neutral. After a few seconds, it kicks into limp mode. I know limp mode usually selects 3rd gear to operate in, but it does the same thing as 2nd gear. It just revs up. I've done some research and cant seem to find any help. I took it to my mechanic and he put it on the lift to see underneath. He told me that the oil pan was clean and that it looked like someone had already been into the transmission. He said that I probably need a new one... I dont want to take his word for it since he only looked at the outside. Any help would be great!

Also...

If it is the transmission, I have a friend with a 95 Rodeo that I can get the transmission out of... Sounds crazy! I know... but the the transmission is a 4L30E and it is suppose to fit 3 series BMW's, Isuzu's and a Cadillac. Has anyone else heard of this? Do you know if it is an exact fit?

Thanks.

Originally Posted by dark_nismo

I bought the car a few weeks ago and drove it home without a problem. But then something weird happened...The first gear works flawlessly, but when it goes into second, I get nothing! It just revs up like its in neutral. After a few seconds, it kicks into limp mode. I know limp mode usually selects 3rd gear to operate in, but it does the same thing as 2nd gear. It just revs up. I've done some research and cant seem to find any help. I took it to my mechanic and he put it on the lift to see underneath. He told me that the oil pan was clean and that it looked like someone had already been into the transmission. He said that I probably need a new one... I dont want to take his word for it since he only looked at the outside. Any help would be great!

Also...

If it is the transmission, I have a friend with a 95 Rodeo that I can get the transmission out of... Sounds crazy! I know... but the the transmission is a 4L30E and it is suppose to fit 3 series BMW's, Isuzu's and a Cadillac. Has anyone else heard of this? Do you know if it is an exact fit?

Thanks.

I looked it up on the net, it's possible your friend is right!!! check this out http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GM-4L...QQcmdZViewItem

Any ideas to a fix other than replacing the tranny?

I think i'm having same problem with my 1994 318I. Also it does it more when its colder or in the mornings....it seems to be getting worse everyday. I hope its not the transmission if it is I wonder how much its gonna cost me to fix it??? When i start accel. it seems like that i have my foot on the gas too hard but and the rpm goes way high...please someone tell me whats the problem?

Pull the trans pan and try changing the filter and fluid in the pan, run it and see if that fixes the problem, if not, you need a new transmission.

I would check your transmission oil buddy before getting it all taken apart

Great minds think alike!

Check your transmission oil as the other guys mentioned, and if not, yes, BMW used GM transmissions. Since GM had stake in Isuzu, they basically shared all the parts, and if they put the same model transmission in there then it should be fine. Just mount it up to your housing and keep your TCM.

How many miles are on your car?

Busted transmission symptons alike ! (1994 BMW owner, darknismo) Just for laughs.

I think you both have a big problem on youre hands, most likely the cluth's of the 2nd gear on darknismo's transmission is fried!!! It slipps or doesn't even engage at all! reason why youre revv goes sky high!

1994BMWowner, give me some more details on youre problem. Does it do it in 2nd gear or all the gears ?
It might be you TCC (Tourque Converter CLutch). Not engaging when its supposed to. Or not enough pressure.

Ow and Pete, whats the URL for youre car again ? youre exhaust videos ? basically all of them ! ! !

Here we go buddy - http://www.youtube.com/user/piratecopyE36

enjoy

Thank you !!!

Thanks for all the comments....SewerSideUp, It does it only when it changes to 2nd gear........also is changing my oil and making sure its full will fix the problem?? or its too late to have any hopes; cause I'm kicking my self for taking that oil leak which i think was from my car very easy and now i'm deep in s***! lol

Cheerz mate !
Changing youre oil is good, sorrey to say this but I doubt it'll fix youre probelm.
If it does, youre a lucky man! And if not, its time to take out the guts of that tranny ! Btw, how many miles do you have on it ?
Hey, atleast you wont have to buy new oil (if you replace it now) when you rebuild youre tranny !!!

Ow, and one more thing. Does this contiue when the car warms up and is driven for some distance ?

141000 miles and no its back to normal when the car warms up....but i think that seems to be getting worse as well.,....but for now it only does it when its colder...does that make a difference? thanks again!

On the 4L30E they have a bad ground in the pan for the selinoids which is only a clip.they sell a upgrade with newones and the ground is then bolted. To the tranny. Then on the pressure silinoid the screen will fall apart and slow flow down. So when you are trying to speed up it will go in lump mode because there's not enough pressure. So you could just rebuild valve body instead of the whole tranny. I have to do the same on my 94 325i it has 223000 miles on it. With the m50.

You just updated a 6 year old thread!