Looking for straight answers for transmission issues
 

I have an 03' 4.4i with about 110Kmi. I am having only one of the Transmission issues that I have read about here. I have the low-speed shudder under light throttle through the lower gears.
I can't say it always occurs, but it it frequent. There are no other noticeable problems with my transmission performance. All other shifts are very smooth and there is no noticeable slipping.
-- What are the causes of this symptom?
-- Can a fluid and filter make a difference?
-- Is this always a sign that the end is near for my Trans.?

Anyone with experience here please let me know.

changing the fluid and filter never hurts. I don't think its ever been nailed down to a specific problem. unless u know how to remove the valve body and rebuilld it you might as well ride it to the end.

I'm driving to Seattle tomorrow morning and will be in town for a week if you'd like me to take a look at it.

OP, take him up on this offer. Great knowledge base! I wish I had m5james to take a look at my X5

A shudder is due to the friction characteristics of the clutches on engagement not being what the transmission expects. Off the top of my head, that can be due to worn clutches, the friction properties of the fluid being out of spec, low pressure, a problem with the actuators that apply pressure to engage the clutches, or a control issue. This is all very general, but since worn clutches and worn fluid are not typical or common, to me it points to either an actuator, or a control issue (either valve body or software). It could also be something unrelated to these themes, like the torque converter.

There are many reported issues with these transmissions, but it can't be narrowed down to just one cause, and trying to diagnose one transmission by comparing symptoms to others, is near to impossible. You will see many posts from people (on a variety of topics) saying "it is xxx, that sounds just like my vehicle's problem". Unfortunately, far too often, those are dead ends. Mechanical problems on the X5 such as driveshaft splines, or CV boots, are common and reproducable, and the symptoms can be readily identified. Problems inside a transmission are nothing like that, with the rare exception of a manufacturing defect, and so it requires hands-on diagnosis. That starts with reading the codes, and then following a troubleshooting guide specific to your transmission.

You can drive it until it fails, or have it overhauled. An overhaul can be done by a shop familiar with the transmission. It cannot be done by the dealer; they are not trained to repair them and for their own reasons BMWNA uses a program of centralized remanufacturing and only does full transmission replacement at the dealer. That is expensive.

I don't agree that it never hurts to change the transmission fluid and filter. In fact, changing transmission fluid can cause a failure in some cases. That is because the new fluid has lots of detergents, and cleans out the transmission. There is nowhere for all that cleaned out residue to go, if there is any. That said, if you want to change the fluid on the off chance that it gives you a little more time, go ahead. If your problem is a clogged filter, it would help, but it wouldn't address the issue of why your filter is clogged. If you do it, use factory spec fluid, and a new OE filter. You have to consider that your transmission is not healthy, though, so changing the fluid may make it worse or better. It shouldn't be considered a cure, rather a bandaid.

I've only driven through Jersey once, I'd probably like it a lot if I spent more time there. I've gotten to the point where I always take my Peake readers, and now that I have this bluetooth OBDII tool for my phone, it's just another avenue for checking cars while I'm on mini-vaca's. Just a few weeks ago I was in Reno and went to Harbor Freight for some cheap LED flashlights (got 3 for $2 w/ coupons), and as I was leaving, this girls 528i literally caught fire at the gas station in the same parking lot. After I cut my elbow getting the fire extinguisher, I got the fire out and figured out that a simple rubber hose coming off the ABS/DSC module was shooting brake fluid onto the headers. She had just bought this car the day before from someone in San Diego, who clearly neglected the car. $220 later and she was back down the road w/ a list of codes that I suggested she fix if she wants to keep her car running like a top.

Anyways, I'm patting my own back now...back on topic :)

I can agree that sometimes chaning the fluid can be a way to speed up the means to an end. I remember when I was on Toyota Tacoma forums, and just like here, people had mixed reviews of changing fluid when their transmissions started giving them issues. Either way, if he calls/emails me, I'd be interested to take a look at it since my X doesn't exhibit any symptoms like this.

At this point it won't happen till after the new year, but I'm looking forward to doing a complete rebuild on a 5HP24 so I can see first hand what failed clutches, 1st/Reverse drums, etc look like when they break/fail.

Thanks for the great input everyone. I will definately take m5James up on his offer. and I really appreciate JCL's knowledge. One Question, Does the computer record/store any information regarding pressures or performance? I have used scanning tools to diagnose and clear issues with my X5 before, but I have never looked deeper into stored data for detective work. I don't think I am looking at a fluid replacement, but I was going to get under there and see if I might be low on fluid.

if you could find something to read live data from the transmission everyone would have an easier time diagnosing problems .
transmission specialists have some trick equipment .

Late on the update, but an update nonetheless. So we met up and got to drive Drew's X around downtown Bellevue. It took a while, but I finally got it to do it around 25-30MPH, and it's definately a shudder throughout the whole vehicle. I couldn't get it to do it in Sport mode, so we've agreed that it might just be a shifting issue when going up inclines and the transmission not being sure what to do. I was visualizing little check balls in my head, but I don't remember the 5HP30 I took apart having them, and I've never been inside a 5HP24...yet. I've been meaning to call my trans guy, but of course I forgot until I started cleaning out my inbox tonight and saw this thread reply.