Transmission issues summary

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by semcoinc

Good points.

They appear to be taking advertising license by stating they have a facility in Germany

Mike

The ZF remanufactured trans will have certification and documentation from ZF.

[JasBib]

Hi,


Just bought a used 2001 X5. The other day, -15 degrees celcius outside, I was on the highway doing a steady 120 km/h suddenly the car redlined so I released the gas. I pressed the gas again and the same thing happened so I coasted it off the highway up to a red light where it wouldnt move. The car seemed to be in neutral no matter if I put it in Drive of Reverse. I turned the car off and turned it back on and played with the steering wheel back and forth and for some unknown reason the gears engaged again and it drove like nothing happened.


I drove it to a residential area out of the way in case it happened again and it did about 2 km from the first stop. This time no changes so I had it towed back home.


The car rolls even in park or gears. The transmission prior to this was very smooth and didnt feel any issues occuring. Now when I put it in drive or reverse the front drive shaft turns and makes a sort of metallic, broken bearing type noise near the front differential.


I bought a bmw scanner and it shows now issues with the transmission but says the "VTG Gearbox Control" has a "Communication Error: 1 System Equipped? 2. Cable Connected?" I thought it might be because I dont have the xdrive model and therefore no transfer case actuator motor, am I right to assume this? Not sure whats going on, going to pull the drive shaft tomorrow to check the splines but the noise is not comming from the splined end at the transfer case but from the front diff.


I just dont understand how the car was running steadily, then failed out of the blue and stopped. Then for no apparent reason started working again and driving normally then failed again so Im inclined to believe its an electronic issue although the sound leads me to believe otherwise.


I also checked the battery which was slightly low voltage yet the alternator is working fine. I ran the car boosted off my Subaru Forester to give it more juice after giving the X5 battery a full trickle charge to 100% and still no change.


Any ideas?


PLEASE HELP!!!!!:'(

[80stech]

You should probably start a new thread. If front driveshaft is turning and you're getting the noise and front wheels are not turning then that is where you need to start checking. Could be a problem with the front diff or drive axles.

[wpoll]

Sounds like one of the front axles has popped out of the front diff. Has been know to happen and results in what you are seeing...

[bcredliner]

Your symptoms match those of a failed transfer case. Source of sounds can be misleading.

[JimG]

Happy New Year!

I have a 2003 X5 3.0 with 163,000 miles. When cold it will not move in drive, after a 10 min warm-up, it drives and shifts like a new car! Looking or suggestions

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by JimG

Happy New Year!

I have a 2003 X5 3.0 with 163,000 miles. When cold it will not move in drive, after a 10 min warm-up, it drives and shifts like a new car! Looking or suggestions

Check the fluid level first. ATF should be checked at 120F, on level ground and engine running. Remove the fill plug and ATF should be slightly coming out.
Sounds like it may be low.

[semcoinc]

JimG

Yeah, check fluid level first

I ran into this problem with my 3.0 E46 transmission with no transmission engagement in cold temps (neither drive nor reverse) until a very warmed up coolant temp.

Here is the thread on E46 fanatics.

https://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=893453

My problem went away when I replaced the solenoids in the thread.

These were my PNs and prices back in 2017 when I solved my issue in my 3.0 E46:

Main pressure regulator solenoid - AC Delco 10478146 Amazon Prime $36.00

Torque converter lock-up clutch solenoid - AC Delco 24227747 Amazon Prime $23.00

Here is another narrative with transmission info

Transmission Valve Body Removal & Installation, Filter, Fluid Service

Just a significant lowering of the valve body was necessary to swap out the solenoids.

My theory on why this symptom manifests itself is because the o-rings in the solenoids harden and shrink over the years and miles. This causes them not to function as designed until they warm up and become pliable and do their o-ring job

Mike

[Overboost]

I thought about the seals as well but didn't want to jump to suggesting heavier repairs until the level was checked. Cold weather can certainly wreak havoc on old hardened seals for sure but OP is in VA so I wasn't sure how cold it has been and if he keeps it outside

[semcoinc]

As my solenoid failures worsened, the tranny would not engage after a night of 40°F.

At the early stages of my issue with the solenoids it took an extended exposure in sub 25°F temps.

For several years before I discovered this threads solution, I employed a heating pad to the transmission oil pan and had no issues in cold temps as long as I was plugged in.

Mike