[lazezo]

Hi All,
I in a bad need for an advise on a transmission, my transmission had a noise for the last month but only when not moving but in gear, the noise sounded like if it was coming from the muffler.Tow day ago the car lost power while driving and cam to a stop then shaked vigorously (CEL) then I got them Transmission fail safe prog. I drove it back home going on a slow speed. I thought it was the battery (since my window did not open a day ago but worked again and the moon roof open instead of closing one time and my right rear turn signal fails sometimes to work) so I went ahead and replaced the battery with a new one, the transmission worked right away but only for one spin in the parking then went back to fail safe . So I added some ATF but did not help. Finally I drove it to a BMW specialist but he said that it slips very bad no transmission error codes were fond and the conclusion was bad transmission ? I do not understand how he could not find any Errors. I did the battery disconnect fro an hour and the gas pedal tans reset and it reset bu the car does not move at all till it goes into fail safe again, The car will go in reverse normal. Please advise. Thank you.

 

[u.nanimous]

After replacing battery it worked for one spin around parking lot...how's your alternator?

 

[lazezo]

I will check the alternator although the old battery was good &100% charged according to autozon . I now have the error codes from the engine they are P0720 and P0732.

 

[lazezo]

The transmission was perfect till the last minute, so would I go for fixing it or just a replacement

 

[u.nanimous]

If a fix turns out to be just a couple 100 bucks versus a whole new (rebuilt) trans...which would you rather do? Just need to eliminate the cheap fixes first.

And since you have codes...
How I fixed the tranny limp mode, error p0720
Trans Fail Safe mode-P0720

 

[lazezo]

Thanks.

 

[lazezo]

Checked alternator but it came out fine, could the slipping and the grinding sound be caused by a Clogged filter ?

 

[u.nanimous]

Clogged filter will restrict the fluid so...probably yes. Easiest way to tell is change it out and see if the noise goes away.

 

[lazezo]

Will change the filter and see.thanks.

 

[amandash]

Failsafe

I have had similar problems. A few months ago after not using the car for a few weeks the transmission acted up which started with a bang as soon as the car went into motion. then failsafe, then massive slipping almost to a roll. the next morning no forward gears, but reverse worked fine. A friend who works on transmission diagnosed it as a broken input drum. I just changed out the transmission with a crashed grave yard doner.
I still have the tranny sitting in my yard. I am no expert but I have read this is a common problem. There is an updated drum.

 

[u.nanimous]

Speaking of the drums, there is a recent thread about that (Project 1500).

 

[lazezo]

To replace or not.

In an effort to solve my transmission problem I went ahead and replaced the filter and the oil , did find some small broken metal parts in the oil. However the transmission still not working so I ma thinking of replacing it with a used one, I ma not sure if this is the correct thing to do , the car has 170 k but runs fine I have just replaces several suspension parts. I am in Colorado, How much would it cost to replace a transmission , what are the prices for parts and labor, is there any good mechanic in Fort Collins ? shall I just get rid of the car , I am really worried of having more issues after transmission replacement I have read some horrific stories .

 

[u.nanimous]

It looks like you have some options now...manual or automatic...because you are going to need to replace it. But you wouldn't have found those bits without dropping the pan to change the filter.

If you go for an automatic I'd suggest searching for a remanufactured with a solid warranty over a cheap rebuild with barely any warranty...unless you don't plan on keeping it too much longer.

 

[lazezo]

Thanks , I am not sure what I will do since the car values is not much and I do not know how much will it cost me to replace the transmission .

 

[u.nanimous]

But what will it cost for a replacement car?

 

[lazezo]

To replace the transmission with a used one it will cost 2000 which is fine with me my worry is that after replacing the transmission a lot of problems will come up from what I have heard , is that true ?

 

[u.nanimous]

Transmission and timing chain guides are the only catastrophic issues with this model. Everything else is just nickle and dime maintenance items in comparison.

FYI: Timing chain guides have been known to go at 125K miles or still be good beyond 250K, but for most they start rattling around 175K (and once they do you STOP driving it). Having a shop do it can be $3000-4000 or if you do it yourself there are kits from $1600-2500 depending on what's included and quality of the parts. If you do it yourself you'll need a special tool kit which can be rented if you can't find someone to loan it for a 6 pack, and there are plenty of instructions, DIY's, videos on-line. A little insurance to help extend your guides life is to put in a new tensioner (about $75 and less than 30 minutes), at some point after they moved on to the E65/E66 they went back and started selling them with longer springs which helps keep the tension at startup before the oil pressure builds.

 

[lazezo]

So I guess We should sell AS IS !!!

 

[u.nanimous]

How many miles are you at? Are you getting any rattling noises from the front of the engine?

 

[lazezo]

it has 177000 and no rattling noises from the front of the engine