Infamous transmission "thunk" after SW upgrade
 

Ok, so I did the transmission software upgrade and the "thunk", that nasty 'did I just get hit?' feeling you get when you have the 2-1 downshift (California stop syndrome is what I call it) is still there. :(

What's the next step for resolution of this fun issue? My X5 is CPO (and the software fix was done under CPO a few weeks ago) so I'm just wondering if anyone has had any luck getting this resolved.

What's sad is that the Allison transmission in my pickup truck is smoother and more responsive than the X5's tranny.

What SW upgrade did you get done (SIB ?, version # ?, etc.)?

SIB 24 01 06 was completed. No version number listed on work order.

Defect code 24 00 38 61 00 (text wrapped on work order so I'm not sure if this is the correct number or not).

Thanks!

That pertains to the August 2007 SIB, too bad it doesn't list a version # since there have been plenty since then. Try a transmission reset.

I'll try that. I'm hoping the dealer will try a fluid/filter change or something. Save me the hassle!

It usually takes clearing all transmission adaptations followed immediately by a nice long test drive to get the initial learnings to be on the conservative side by doing a series of slow easy starts and long slow easy stops. That way it learns the shifts in a smooth pattern vs if you drive it hard after clearing and it wants to shift hard to match that driving style.

Ok, I'll try that though it is against my nature to do slow easy starts or stops...

Does it have to learn in sport mode as well as regular mode or will one do it?

Update. Dropping X5 off at dealer tonight. Was in a parking garage Thursday night going slowly up the ramp when I accelerated a bit. Thought I'd been seriously rear-ended and so did my passengers (WTF was that? was uttered by one of them).

Doing an under vehicle inspection prior to dropping it off I noticed two things (remember, it is a CPO vehicle):

1) one of the exhaust bolts w/the springs is gone (explains the weird noise I hear sometimes), and;

2) the 1/2 shaft joints by the diff (close in, not out by the wheels) are 'wet' with what appears to be diff fluid (very slight leak -- no drips, not thick grease, some "splatter" on undercarraige).

Any chance of linking these to the harsh driveline "thunks"?

Hi Kirk,

I have the same problem in my '05 545i, and just recently had the mechatronics valve body replaced in the trasmission (for a different problem), however even after changing the valve body and completely reprogramming the transmission, this "Slam" problem persists. I'm convinced that it is a design flaw that can't be fixed by software.

Check this out: Jaguar S-Type ZF Gearbox Lurch fault

Also do a search on the E60 Forum (E60 Forums?) for "Transmission Slam" (or just "Slam"), then grab some popcorn and start reading...

Good luck,
Randy...

Thanks Randy. I saw your posts (and others). What a nightmare for BMW (and BMW owners).

BMW needs to work with Allison instead of ZF. The Allison tranny in my truck is buttah smooth. Sooooo much better. There is no comparison.

What can we do? Can those of us who experience it and BMW hasn't resolved form a Class Action Law Suit againg BMW NA? If they can't fix it, they need to replace it, am I right? I startled my 1 month old with this tranny today, poor kid was crying for an hour after such "slam."

Just talked to my service advisor. They are keeping the X overnight as it is being interrogated by some machine in HQ (veee haf vays of making you talk, veeeerrrrry unpleasant vaaaaays...). [/Hogan's Heroes reference]

Service advisor stated that they *might* need to replace the transmission! I didn't even have to beg, plead, or cajole! Glad I didn't do a tranny fluid flush and filter change out earlier this year like I was going to do. 48k miles and counting...

I'll let you know what happens and what is written down on the receipt.

wow, pretty cool if they replace on their dime, I'm here in Vegas too and Desert on Sahara has been pretty good service-wise. We had to get the CV boots replaced and they did it under warranty for us even though I didn't think it was supposed to. I might have seen you around town too, not too many Imola Red X's around, especially a non-4.8. We almost bought an Imola Red 3.0 but ended up getting white, I wished we got that red one though! In spite of all the niggles and service costs we've had, the dealership has been receptive, especially after our last survey when I pointed out a few things. They called us back the next day on some of my comments about dirty interior and delay in setting a schedule. Good to see at least they're making an effort on customer service.

It is official. New trans going in tomorrow according to my service advisor (via voice mail)! :thumbup:

I left him a voice mail to suggest that they inspect all of the driveline components for damage that the faulty trans may have caused. Should be interesting to hear the response on that.

Looks like I've avoided some tranny maintenance! Glad I hadn't done it prior to getting this sorted out. I can hear the arguments now...

Great, I'd love the same done on my truck - same as yours - 05 4.4i.

Mine happens 99.9% of the time when autoshifting from 1st to 2nd gear first thing in the morning, and about 80% of the time when in stop-and-go traffic traveling uphil. Is this what you were experiencing with yours? Is there a SB I can reference at my service department?

Temperature has nothing to do with mine. However, I was pointed uphill in the parking garage when it dang near caused whiplash in my passengers.

I have not gotten it back yet, so I don't know if there is an SIB, etc. As I stated in an earlier post, I'll post what is on the receipt.

Ok, got it back tonight w/the "new" trans (case is recycled but everything else is supposed to be new).

Took it easy on the way home but it felt very smooth. Time will tell.

No SIB or anything else noted except a "PUMA" case. Don't know if the case number is specific to me or generic so I am not posting it.

Right now I'm a happy camper but we'll see if it fixed the problem or not.

Yes the number is case specific. Each PuMA case is specificly started for an individual problem on a specific vehicle on a case by case basis. PuMA is just an email based technical support from BMW engineers in Jersey.

Going to do the reset, then escalate my Puma case if it doesn't get solved.

I was experiencing the very same transmission problem. My tranny was so screwed up that they could not even upgrade the software. In the end I got a new transmission however the entire process took 2 weeks.