Solved: Will Foxwell NT520 Pro work to monitor transmission fluid temp? (yes)
 

I'm going to replace the transmission fluid as part of replacing the Transmission Sealing Sleeve.

The procedure says to maintain the fluid at 30 to 35 C when checking the level (N62 ZF):

https://www.zf.com/unitedkingdom/en_...hange_oil.html

Does the Foxwell NT520 Pro monitor the real-time temperature of the transmission fluid?

From what I've read online Torque with a simple OBD II adapter can't see the temperature on E53s.


Thanks!

The normal process is to use an infrared thermometer. I thought I saw temp with the foxwell I'll try to check for you when I hook up the scanner next.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Thanks for the advice. Do you just shoot the bottom of the pan with the infrared thermometer?

Please let me know on the Foxwell, if you get a chance. Seems like that would be more accurate.

Yep bottom of the pan will be close enough to keep you in the required range.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Not sure where you are located, but in many parts of the US right now, daytime high temps are around 30*C. Normal human body temp is 37*C. Those numbers are cold, so to "maintain the fluid" at that temp will require an ice bath or something similar. Really.

If you care about following the procedure (you should), I'd be more concerned with how to measure level while it's at that temperature, rather than what specific instrument you'll use to measure it.

It may be a matter of setting the level ASAFP as things quickly warm up through and past the specified temperature range. No maintaining. It's a transient state.

What I do (I have a different AT on my 3.0i, but similarly low temp spec for setting level, so this issue is the same) is to slightly overfill the day before setting the level. Overfilling can be done by jacking the vehicle asymmetrically to raise the fill port higher than it would be when flat.

Then the following morning, once things have cooled down, I go through the sequence as fast as I can, which hopefully does not exceed the temp range spec, and remove the already loosened fill plug to let fluid drain to the proper level. This way it can all be done very quickly, which I have found is the difficult part about hitting that temp spec.

BTW, I have never heard an explanation for why the temp spec is so low on this procedure. And it's like that for all German cars I know of - Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, at least. Does anyone know why they do it there rather than at a temperature that would actually be stable, such as 85*C? And that's the same issue for ZF, GM, and Aisin transmissions on these cars at least, too. (German, French, and Japanese, respectively). So I bet there's a good reason.

Thanks for the great advice Andrew and OldSkewel!

The asymmetrical jacking and waiting til the next day idea is genius. I think the later ZF 8 speed has a max of 40 C which is a little more reasonable, especially in the summer.

I went ahead and ordered the Foxwell. Seems like it will be useful for other things. I'll try to update this thread when I verify whether it monitors the temperature.

That is a very strange curiousity regarding the cold temp for setting the level.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...e18e83da7f.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Thanks, Andrew!

Glad to be back in this awesome community.

It's a bit harder to overfill the trans with the bottom-fill pans.... Asymetrical jacking won't alter the level much as the fill port is on the centerline... You could try it with the front of the car much higher than the rear (assuming the fill port is towards the front of of the pan).

But using the mityvac fluid pump to fill the trans should give you enough time to complete the fill before temps get too high. And remember, you are adding cold fluid which lowers the temp a little as you fill (although you don't add much at this point in the fill process).

Thanks for the info, WPoll! The fill port is on the back of the N62 pan. I'm not sure where the center point of the X5 is relative to that, but it seems to me that OldSkewel's technique would work if the difference in height between the front and rear jacks is significant. Works for him!

Your observation about the temperature of the fluid in the bottle made me think that I could leave it in the fridge overnight to make it even cooler!

BTW, did you see the edit I did in the last post in the other thread you helped me with? I discovered based on the PDFs you sent that the N62 is type A, which ZF says uses a different procedure for shifting gears (I think!).

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...questions.html

I got my NT520 Pro and have started using it.

For transmission fluid temperature I'm using the path, from the top menu after scanning the VIN in the BMW section:

2. Control Units
1. Drive
10. EGS 6HP transmission control
5. Live data
1. Performance variables, gearbox: (checkbox) Oil temperature, gearbox [ I also checked Oil temperature, engine & Battery voltage ]
View Data [F3]

Does that sound right? Might be a little different from your menus, Andrew, or is there a different path to get Transmission oil, temperature, like you have?

I didn't update the unit yet.

There's also a 11. EGS 6HPTU transmission control menu choice, just below 10. EGS 6HP transmission control in the third step. Anybody know which is correct for an 04 N62? They seem to have the same choices available, at least for the live monitoring.

Numerous modules are duplicates I never know which Is the best one but I think they are basically the same with some minor changes depending on what is available.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Thanks! Let me know if you see a good summary of the BMW functions for the Foxwell.

I'm going to have some questions about reprogramming the transmission module after I finish changing the ATF. My mechanic friend says it's a good idea. Also, I think there may have been an update since the last time it was at the dealer, which was probably in 2007! I'll start a new thread for those questions.

Nt520 will reset transmission adaptations


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Yeah, but don't do it. Not unless you've changed the mechatronic or some other major component. An oil flush (change) is NOT cause for a transmission adaptations reset - and doing so could possibly cause more harm than good. :yikes:

+1. Yes if you replace valve body etc.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Is that the same thing as updating the transmission software?

This info, for a 745i with the EGS 6HP, has Reset/relearn values as menu item 7. It's on a NT510.

2003 BMW 745i reset the transmission with Foxwell NT510 | Foxwell Support Blog

Nope - not the same. A Reset/Relearn is an adaptation reset - to be avoided unless you have replaced major components in the transmission.

A software update requires a copy of the new firmware for the transmission controller (EGS) and a tool (laptop and software etc.) for programming the transmission controller. Note that I said transmission controller and not the transmission itself. Transmissions aren't programmed but controllers are.

The hand-held scanners will not update software/firmware in the car (in general).

No. That's updating the firmware on the TCU. Need a computer for that and I don't know which software


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Thanks for the good information guys!

WinKFP for updating DME and EGS, part of BMW Standard Tools (INPA, NCS Expert, WinKFP)

yes,foxwell nt530 also support

good news ,I found this foxwell nt510 elite,it has the same features, language, and vehicle coverage as Foxwell NT530, only the hardware is slightly different, but cheaper than NT530.

The 530 likely can support Mercedes which 510 will not. Also the 510 has a reset button the 520 must be unplugged to restart.