Ugh, tranny went into limp-home mode
 

Okay, I think I finally got some major repairs after 137,xxx miles and 5 years of ownership of the X5 3.0i.

The automatic tranny started to shift a little funny and it started to slip with gear changes between 1st and 2nd and sometimes abrupt shifting. Then it went back to normal. Later in the morning, it started to shift very abruptly and then it went into limp home mode (stays in 3rd gear, all the time). I did turn off the car, then the "!" symbol disappeared, but then when I went back on the road, it tried to shift from 1st to 2nd and it couldn't and then went to limp home mode with "!" and SES light both on.....So what am I looking at, a new rebuilt tranny from BMW?!

Thanks for any advice.....

ooooh, that's gotta suck bro. I think a new tranny would be very costly. I'd go with a rebuilt one. I'd also check the local shops to see how much they charge to rebuild it before I go to BMW.

Sorry to hear that. I agree with R8DX5 that you should check out what an independent would charge to rebuild the thing. Most of the time, you can get a rebuild tranny for less than half the price of a new one. Besides, the labor rate would probably be a lot less than any BMW service places too.

BTW, did you ever change the fluid on the tranny? I'm contemplating whether and when I should change out the tranny fluid.

Assuming the tranny is kaput, I could get a local place to rebuild it or get a rebuilt one from BMW with a 2 year warranty (not sure about the miles).....

Anyhow, will have my local guy check it out and check the electronic codes to see what it is....he does have all the electronic equipment to read BMW codes, etc.

If it is the valve body, then I guess I could rebuild it, but it may be just easier to get a rebuilt one from BMW.....

At the least the car is still moving forward....

or get one from the junkyard. Lots of good finds there especially in LA.

Great idea. Anyhow, how's the M5 fuel pump? Make sure that darn fuel filter is also changed.

Yes, ATF was changed after 100K miles....The car was shifting fine until today. However, it could be an electronic sensor to the valve body going kaput, but I'll keep everyone updated....

Hypothetically, if the tranny is totally kaput, the BMW dealer service dept. quote with parts & labor to replace a BMW rebuilt tranny is about $6700!:wow:

Apparently, $800 for the labor, the rest is for the part!

sounds like a TCU or line pressure problem. Do you still have the Dinan tranny software?

I believe so....maybe, time to remove the Dinan tranny software.....