e65 745i Gearbox (Transmission) MAD!!!

i think its available since v. 40 but you need to specify it with winkfp or you'll get another software!

sharland,
I posted a manufactures bulletin that covers what you're talking about. It's in my album. They know about it and will do everything to hide the true fix; trans replacement. I had the same problems and was turned away many times at the dealer when the service manager drove the car and said it was fine. Lucky for me a couple of times the service tech noted there was a problem and that was on my invoice. Trani failed 7 months ago and I opened a case with BMW of North America. They looked over the paperwork and paid for the new updated trani, all parts, and the software upgrade. I paid for the labor. $950.00US. Runs great now...

Indeed, I suppose that’s what I was getting at in my first post about this issue. The fact is these gearboxes are fundamentally faulty and should have been replaced. I understand the reasons why BMW would not want to do that £££££… However they were supplied by ZF and I would have thought BMW would have some recourse back to ZF i.e. its ZF’s problem not BMW and they should pay for the fix. I’ll read your bulletin.

Anyway as an update on my car I have done a few more miles now and whilst the issues I described are now significantly reduced as a result of the new guibo and oil/filter, the gearbox it still not 100%. Basically the same problems but on a much reduced scale. I suspect that it is due to the new guibo taking the strain. As that begins to wear out then the problems will get more pronounced again.

I’m at a crossroads now. I either spend even more money on new software and/or new torque converter OR I do nothing?

The biggest factor is the value of these cars in the UK. Big V8 engines are not particularly sought after and as they get older and values drop it’s simply not worth spending £‘000 on fixing the problem.

It’s a shame as this is a fantastic car in so many ways. I’ve only had it a few months and I love it. It’s just a shame they fitted a bad gearbox…

PRBMW7ser05,

Just read the documents in your post. Thanks for putting those up.

The last page which is the December 2007 update. That very accurately describes in section A (cars manufactured up to and including 02/2003) most of the issues I have experienced.

The suggestion by BMW is that its Guibo (which I have changed) and EGS software.

I may try the software update after all. I’m pretty computer savvy but I think doing this myself may be a bridge too far. I’ll look into getting an independent in the UK to do it for me.

No prob. I would start at the dealer also and see if they would do the update for a reasonable cost. I replaced my Guibo also and that's not the problem. I truly believe its internal.Good luck.

My 2002 118k 745i has been banging into gear when pulling away if I haven't come to a complete stop, hunting between gears and often fighting with me when I try to pull up quickly, not wanting to come out of gear...

My local generic garage said they recognised the symptoms as the owner had suffered the same with his X5 and that it was definitely software related so they proceeded to upgrade the software. They tested it an said all was OK. Indeed when i drove it 30 miles home it was like a new car, perfect again ...until the next day when it was back to normal !

I'm wondering if the management system is somehow losing settings , getting corrupted or , as someone else suggested, the fluid may need replacing and is causing the transmission to play up.

It does seem frustrating..anyway, next stop , fluid change ( although BMW advised my garage that they never do this and it was not heard of) apparently. £250 for the fluid from BMW. then , whilst there, will get the software re-done just in case and will post an update once done....

My gearbox is playing up too, its a second hand box I had put in my car when the original box failed on the day I bought it (My luck...).

I updated the software myself, and it did help a bit, but didn't cure the problem entirely.

Before the update my car would always "lurch" into 1st if you were coming to a stop, and if you slowed down and then set off again it would slam back into second gear (it would rev up to about 1500rpm before suddenly re-engaging 2nd gear).

Since the update, it only "lurches" when coming to a sudden stop, and it doesn't always fail with second gear at lower speed.

It helped, but has definatley not fixed the problem.

Also the revs flutter sometimes (but been told by a autobox specialist - all they do is autoboxes and they are no stranger to the 6HP26 - that it is NOT my torque converter, as it doesnt do it all the time, whereas with the TC being purely mechanical the fault would either be there, or not be there, and my car does it hot or cold).

I have spoken to another box specialist that rebuilt the gearbox for a member of the uk 7 forum (bmwland) and he advised that the issue probably isn't the TC for the same reasons.

The member who had his box rebuilt was very happy with the result and says his car has never driven better (and i think he has owned it for a few years now).

In the next month or so I intend to have mine rebuilt by the same guy.

This is from my conversation with the mechanic:

"Common failure on this particular gearbox range is excessive wear to the rear stator bush which dramatically reduces apply pressure to the E clutch which transmits the drive in 4/5/6th.

Gearbox out and strip, rebushing several areas. Replace damaged E clutch pack, reseal known (various) clutch packs and strip and clean out Mechatronics unit. Renew damper pistons in Mechatronic unit and replace sump/filter assembly. Flush oil cooler system and new Lifeguard 6 oil to refill.

Job costs £1195 inc vat"

He also said that he would recommend reconditioning the Torque Converter while everything is out due to the age of the box (95k miles), as its only £200 more and to replace it in the future when it does finally need replacing would cost more in labor.

I'll let people know how it goes once I get it done, but for now I'm just living with it, though I really do look forward to a "like new" box xD

I haven't gone down the software route yet.

I had the guibo (rubber bracket behind the gearbox) changed and had the gearbox oil and sump+filter changed. I bought the sump and oil online. You should buy the real ZF manufactured kit. Its was about £250 + fitting by an Independent who also supplied and fitted the guibo.

Strange that ZF should now make a kit for this so called lifetime gearbox oil and BMW are still denying all knowledge of it ever needing replacing. Unbelievable.

Anyway the outcome is that it has made a huge difference. Its still not 100% perfect but it is a great deal better than I would have expected. If I had to guess I would say it is 80% guibo.

Simon

Hello i have been trying to find pics and info on how to remove panels and rugs properly in order to get to modules under passenger foot well also info on modules that i might need to replace or dry and try to save..,my e65 starts and drives but im getting all lights in the dash on and some time transmission fault [stuck on 2 or 3 gear] i pull over shut off the car and restart and transmission shifts fine again.this recur sometimes doesn't happen at all,got it scanned and came up with these module codes
282C
27EC
27ED
"no communication"with these modules...
i do have the infamous water build up on passenger foot well. seems to be coming from behind the dash under the rug (pass side)....possible sun roof drain clogged? idk might need help with dyi on unclogging the sf drains too lol
So if anyone in here that has dealt with similar situation and provide info I would appreciate it very much thank you

Get someone to reset the transmission adaptation values as well using INPA. I did this and drove the car in manual mode for whole day and now as a result the downshift to first is smooth. Also there is a mechanical sleeve mentioned on the forum somewhere which may be leaking.

This is an update to the severe transmission bang occurring in the 2006 750i usually around 90,000 - 100,000 miles. I bought my 2006 750i with 87,000 and after a few months I noticed a bang like someone rear ended me. Well I purchased a guibo joint for the 2006 and finally had the time to put the car on the lift for a week.
My son is a gifted mechanic and he can fix anything. He pulled the exhaust and dropped the transmission and there was the guibo joint, he couldn't believe the wear and tear on it. He replaced the guibo as well as the 2 coolant leaks that usually occur in this vehicle.

The first coolant leak was at the base of the engine which he could get to when he dropped the tranny. This wasn't leaking but eventually it will so he replaced it since it was accessible. The second coolant leak is the infamous valley pan gasket leak at the o ring on the front part of the tube that the o ring wears. Since he had the tranny dropped, he was able to pull the long tube out from the back and put a new one in from the rear, he said that the tube was made to be installed from the front but he didn't go that route. He used some special silicone to keep the o rings in place.

Last night, he put everything back in place and no more banging when going from second to first gear and I haven't smelled any coolant so I'm sure that is fixed as well. This job requires a lift and you need 2 people to pull the exhaust. He estimated the time to be about 30 hours and parts where about $400.00. I'm glad he is a great mechanic.

Originally Posted by skybmray

had all the same symptoms, had the guibo replaced, transmission pan, oil flushed twice and software update. The transmission is smooth as silk now. I can hardly notice the transmission change up or down a gear. The car feels like it just come out of a showroom. Worth doing to eliminate before going to the torque convertor.

My harsh shifts completely disappeared by replacing the guibo. Used to have very harsh down 2-1 like I was getting rear ended.

Thanks for the info. Finally had the chance to replace my guibo with 116,000 miles. The car shifts as smooth as silk now no more slipping from 2nd to 1st. Unbelievable difference.