The harness and sensor is #24341423719 - I found it for less than $245. It is mostly in the transmission pan. Remove the oil - remove the pan. The harness has an external connector - remove it next. Next disconnect all the connectors. NOTE: At the front and rear of the transmission are 2 connectors the require removal of bolts holding the clips. You must remove the bolts else you will break the clips (I broke a clip). These are the pulse generators. Remove them and clean them. Last step - remove the retaining ring which holds the connector/harness in place. This is on the outside of the transmission. It is the last step before removing the harness. When you install the new harness - the retaining ring is the first thing to install once the harness is in place.
For a parts break out see realoem.com.

I had the same issue pressed BMW and got the tranny replaced! Must be able to replicate it with a tech! This took some patience and luck!

I promise you, they know about it...they're just waiting for the clock to burn up so they don't have to pay for it. CPO repairs don't pay as much as normal dealership rates, otherwise they'd replace it w/o a problem knowing they're going to make their money regardless. Hound them now or potentially pay $5-6k later...it sucks, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Hopefully BMW trained techs like killcrap or Weasel can comment on these temp sensors, the wiring harnesses, along w/ these servos and generators...this would be a substantial saving to replace a few bolts ons versus the whole transmission.

excellent thread here
carry on .

+1
I have similar probs albeit not that often and I've noted that it only happens (mostly) when I'm driving down a hill and touch the brakes whilst doing around 60 - 70kmph. Note: I only have a 3.0i, not a V8 as I thought this was only a V8 problem, not so. We have a lot of sneeky radar cop cars on the GC that park within other local cars and catch you as you come down these steep roads.

Ol' Bluey throws it down a gear the moment I just touch/tap the brakes as if to prepare to either slow down, overtake or come to a stop, weird.

I've come to understand the car and try not to run up and down said hilly road over the speed limit (usually 60kmph).

Strange how it doesn't happen if i'm running down these hilly roads at speed or under 50kmph.

As amacman said, carry on. Very interesting read.....:thumbup:

Hey HSV2006,,, I found the harness for $150, but have not ordered it yet. It doesn't do it that often, but my problem is the same as yours and the temperature harness will probably fix it. Thanks for your help and will probably replace it and do the other cleaning and maintenance while I am in there.... your help is greatly appreciated.... thanks Clyde

This thread just saved me thousands of dollars =) Im out of warranty 03 X5 4.4 108k miles. I've had the exact problem HSV2006 described for about 2 or 3 months. I didnt want to take it in because I didnt want to consider paying $5k or $6k for a new tranny.

Anyway after reading the thread I printed it and took it to the shop. I was 90% sure it was my problem but I caught h*ll getting someone to do the job with out giving me all the "rickamorero". 1 shop wouldnt touch it, even after telling another shop this is the exact repair I wanted and wouldnt fault them if it wasnt fixed, they still wouldnt do it( I couldnt get them to hook it up to the computer with out doing "pin testing" and other cr*p I didnt think I needed). Apparently auto shops dont like customers to come in and tell them what they want done?

Any way I finally convinced my local dealer Moritz BMW to hook it up to the computer. Sure enough it was the temp sensor on the wire harness. Paid $215 for the harness it'll be here Monday and I should be good to go. Total repairs will come out to be about $700 =) The only difference in mine is that the seals werent broken so oil wasnt in the compartment, the harness was just shorting out. Long stort short if you're having similar issues check the wiring harness.

Thanks a bunch HSV2006 =)

So do we know what years this problem is related too?

^^^^^^
as lay3r3 said
notice garage mechanics opened wiring harness linking gearbox to gearshift to clean inside.... some yucky creamy paste creating electrical connections where shudnt b