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  #11  
Old 03-18-2026, 06:57 AM
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Originally Posted by X5only View Post
I would do a full service. I serviced the transmission of my 2005 4.4 last year May at around 170k miles with absolutely no issues. It continues to shift like new. Note that I changed much more than just the fluid and filter- the solenoids, seals, mechatronic separator plate, trans damper pistons were changed, and a thorough cleaning was done. You can get away without changing the trans damper and the plate, but I did them any way since I was already there and the parts are not expensive. The 4 drain/refill/drive cycles I did really cleaned up the transmission. When I finally opened it up it was really clean. I think just changing the fluid and filter for the first time on a high mileage trans may not be a good idea.

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I think you are correct. Considering that my car has high milleage it would make sense to change the trans oil, filter and then the seals too.

At the same time, i could check the solenoids and replace them if needed.


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  #12  
Old 03-18-2026, 03:39 PM
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I think you are correct. Considering that my car has high milleage it would make sense to change the trans oil, filter and then the seals too. ...
Given that you need to remove the mechatronics unit from the transmission to address your current range position switch issue, you are pretty much committed doing all that anyway!

And it looks like repairing the range position switch is going to be quite the task...



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  #13  
Old 03-18-2026, 07:59 PM
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As the position switch is a hall sensor the sliding surfaces are magnetic and just the debris over the years can disable it. So just removing and cleaning it might cure it. But of course when the mechatronics is on the table you should check the components and be prepared to renew things if needed. Easier done if you have a possibility to have the vehicle standing for a while.
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  #14  
Old 03-19-2026, 03:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Clavurion View Post
As the position switch is a hall sensor the sliding surfaces are magnetic and just the debris over the years can disable it. So just removing and cleaning it might cure it. But of course when the mechatronics is on the table you should check the components and be prepared to renew things if needed. Easier done if you have a possibility to have the vehicle standing for a while.


Yes! There is a at least a 50% chance cleaning will allow the position switch to work again.

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  #15  
Old 03-19-2026, 10:53 AM
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Yes! There is a at least a 50% chance cleaning will allow the position switch to work again.

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Yes, i think the common sense approach would be to start with a good examiniation of the part, clean it and if it needs to be replaced, then i will replace it.
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Old 03-19-2026, 09:49 PM
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Yes, i think the common sense approach would be to start with a good examiniation of the part, clean it and if it needs to be replaced, then i will replace it.
Yep, clean it but not sure how to test it while the trans is open. This is what mine looked like although there were no issues. You don't want to open the transmission again if it still doesn't work.
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  #17  
Old 03-20-2026, 04:23 AM
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Originally Posted by X5only View Post
Yep, clean it but not sure how to test it while the trans is open. This is what mine looked like although there were no issues. You don't want to open the transmission again if it still doesn't work.
RRPhil outlined the test method in the link in his post on page 1 of this thread...
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