Another transmission question/issue
 

I have my 2001 X5 ,4.4 that I've owned for about 8 years. It's been a maintenance hog like no other car I've ever owned. That's saying something, since I'm up to 75+.

Long story short, the Trans Failsafe has popped up, and gone away on restart. The code showed the gear ratio error.

Now, it's "slipping" under acceleration. Except its not. It will lock up and go, but upon pedal induced downshift, it lets go again.

What sort of diagnostics can I do on my own? I have a simple OBDII scanner, no BMW specific scanner though.

I've read a million threads, but they all seem to describe something else than what I'm experiencing.

I've seen drive tests in sport mode recommended, shifting manually. I've heard that it's the solenoids and maybe a small gasket on the valve body.

For the record, I have done a tranny service a bit ago. I checked the fluid level yesterday at temp, and vehicle level etc... It's full. The fluid doesn't smell burned.

I did the solenoid harness a few years ago, due to the temp sensor inside of it failing.

So now I'm wondering if I should put $1000 plus my time and energy into a $2000 car.....

Thanks in advance guys, the help on here over the years has saved me thousands.

So, I just went out and scanned it, initially no codes. Did a drive test, putting it in manual and shifting through the gears. It will slip until the throttle is let off of, then it catches and goes.

It doesn't matter what gear its in. And, on a plus side I got it to go into failsafe, with code P0733.

Don't know if that helps narrow it down or not.

Will your scanner show you real time solinoid values ?

I had some similar problems that turned out to be water in the transmission connector so rule that out first.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I don't think it will. It's pretty basic.

It's in my shop now, so I'll take a look at the plug.

Thanks for the reply!

Any other oddities like couldn't start or dashboard didn't display the correct gear? Also: back to basics: most people first time trans failsafe because of a voltage hiccup.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I don't think it's a voltage thing, since it has a pretty fresh AGM battery.

I'll check it though, just to be sure.

I've not long ago had my trans repaired and during some chats with my indy (he's ex BMW Mech) we were discussing clutch pressures.

Mine had wildly varying pressures which translated into all sorts of issues. You can sometimes fix it with changing the seals, but the reality is that most of the time it relates to the solenoids. Solenoids can be replaced with cheapo's on ebay or as I did with OE from ZF. Mine performs like a new car again.

After that it becomes a rebuild.

I would suggest taking it to someone in your area who has ISTA software and can look at the adaptions/clutch pressures, or a trans shop that specializes in ZF box. They would have software that can do this also as a diagnostic, then see what your options are.

In my case, the trans specialist was talking a rebuild @ $3.5k. I got it done by buying parts myself and my indy doing the labour for under $1k.

I've seen quite a few cases of valve body fixing the X5 transmission. I'm quite happy to see that be the case as I have no interest in replacing my x any time soon. I bought with 128 it has just about 170 now. My goal is to get to at least 250 before I replaced it or it becomes my backup. I keep my eyes open for my next X5 always. I'm thinking it'll be the last year of E53 especially if I can find a low milage with dynamic drive or if I can find an M62 that is about 150-170k (all miles) where the timing guides just blew chunks but is otherwise in great shape. I can perform the engine overhaul I'll know it has all new seals and vanos redone.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Me too.. You know it’s funny.... I love my 4.4 as I bought it as a junker to replace my work ute (truck).. I chuck my work tools in the boot and go to site (builder) without a second thought. it’s cheaper ($7k) than buying another $65k ute and way better to drive around when not working but after fixing a couple of minor things on both it and the wife’s 4.8is today I decided to take the 4.8 for a cruise while picking up some stuff... and it’s got me hooked again... damn!

I’ve already found 4 x 4.8is’s for sale and looking into creating a custom performance sleeper... in lemans blue...

Thanks for the help guys. I skipped going to any shops, and got a used trans from a local wrecking yard for cheap. I'm doing a quick R&R, and this thing is on it's way out of my driveway.

I'd like to say it's been a good car, but it hasn't. It sure looks good. And drives ok, for an older vehicle, but I'm done with it.