Hard Cold Shifts 6HP 26Z 04 4.4
 

I've been experiencing hard shifts especially when the car is cold. This isn't anything new to me but I just wanted to see if anyone has a better way to deal with this small problem.

I know it's inevitable not to have transmission problems, especially with an aging BMW with over 130k miles but how do you guys deal with this? I usually drive slow until my transmission warms up.

I know you can reset your transmission by holding your pedal past kickdown in switch 2 but how much of a difference does this make? also, would this reset be better with a warm or cold transmission or does it not make a difference?

I can deal with cold delayed and hard shifts but what really concerns me is when I slow down at a stop sign and drive forward and my transmission just takes a huge fucking dump feeling like a semi truck rear ended me. it's much worse uphill since there's more stress on the transmission so I avoid this by using manual mode.

The only two fixes I can think of are doing the kickdown transmission reset or buying SP-DATENS, or just dealing with it.

Urban myth - this doesn't do anything (permanent). :dunno:

The only way to reset the transmission adaptations is to use a diag. tool plugged into the diag. port (INPA/DIS/ISTA/Fowell etc.). and you would only do this if you have replaced transmission components.

It seems the only real hard fix for the dreaded 2-1 slam is to replace the solenoids on the valve body. Other fixes may reduce or eliminate the 2-1 slam for a time but it always comes back (DAMHIK...).

Some folk have also had success with a trans controller (EGS) software re-flash but others have done this with zero change.

Transmission threads are like oil threads - everybody will have a different opinion/experiance! ;)

wpoll, I thought you were going to use the stiffening plate bolts as an example....[emoji28][emoji1787]

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Get a trans service done and chuck a bit of Dr Tranny in that will fix it.

Another thing to check is the fluid level. I started having hard shifts when my level was low due to a leaking mechatronic sleeve. As the sleeve gets old the o-rings on it flatten out.

The first time a regular transmission service did the trick.

Then we did the solenoids and the seals above the valve body about four years later when the shifts got worse. Mine is an 04 4.4i N62 with only 47k miles.

Some useful info in the thread I created for the second iteration here:

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...ent-notes.html

How noticeable was the leak? would it stain the floor or was a closer inspection needed?

There was a significant stain on the garage floor under the transmission, the first time. The second time we replaced the mechatronic seal again as a preventative measure. No leak, but the seals above the valve body and solenoids were worn out.

I would heartily recommend a gearbox service, fresh fluid and filters, along with gearbox reset, and software update. Worked wonders for mine, and he is very similar, 04 4.4 with over 130k
I (like many it seems) had the dreaded rear end shunt when trying to pull away, so i had my local dealership do the service on it, and it has been absolutely fantastic since, no more shunt. It was a little pricey, but so worth it (even if the software update did knock out my TV)

I hear you on the aging BM, always seem to be fixing something.

I agree, except I didn't do the software update that is a recall here in the US. My position was if it wasn't broke, other than wear items, don't fix it. My shifts are buttery smooth.

If the bridge seal and the four cylindrical seals above the valve body haven't been done, I would add those to the list. The solenoids too depending on how tight your budget is.

If you go with the ZF fluid, it's expensive. See my note about needing more than comes with most flush kits, if you remove the valve body (link in my earlier post).

It took quite a while to relearn the adaptions after resetting them with my Foxwell. I only did the reset the second time.

Im worried of just ruining the transmission because we've never changed the transmission fluid, dont want my gears to slip or worse... if im not wrong i remember someone claiming their transmisison broke after a fluid change not sure if it was here or somewhere else. i have a foxwell scanner so i can reset (if i ever fix my obd2 port), you said that you have 130k miles. how often did you change your transmission fluid? if ever? i know that bmw claims their transmission service is lifetime but that usually means 100,000 Miles. after that good luck :thumbup:

Im not sure if im willing to spend too much on this car since we dont even know if we wanna keep the car (but were most likely keeping it), ill have to talk to my Dad to see if its worth it to us but even then opening a transmission does not seem like a simple job, ill probably do the temporary transmission reset and see where that gets me.

I basically need public opinion at this point. would it be worth servicing the transmission (fluid change/flush reprogram/upgrade/recall) or should I actually replace the wear items? (solenoids/bridge seal or seals) this car has seen some accidents so it's a loss for us and we've dumped enough money on this car. however i cant see myself not driving this car. if its too pricey or risky i dont mind dealing with some hard shifts when the transmissions cold, or maybe once i get the bigger problems out of the way :( how much does it cost here in the USA for the solenoids and seals? also would it be smart to replace all the solenoids or just 1 and 2?

Also you said that the software is a recall here in the USA, does this mean i can get it reprogrammed for free at a BMW Dealer? would you guys recommend that or what?

Sorry for asking too many questions im just trying to figure out whats a smart move, and i want to learn more about these German ticking time bombs