Transmission shot or easy fix?
 

2000 x5 4.4i with auto tran.

When I put my x5 in reverse, it initially kicks in for a second the disengages.

If I hit the gas immediately after putting it in reverse it will push the x5 back enough to get out of my garage. The initial push only last for a second, the rest of the distance rolling in reverse is from pure inertia.

I get a bigger push if I put in in drive first and then go to reverse, opposed to putting in in reverse straight from park or neutral.

All forward gears work perfect.

After the x5 warms up, the reverse is completely useless.

Occasionally, maybe twice in the past few months, the reverse worked for a brief moment. Meaning I was able to put it in reverse and drive backwards under the full control of the reverse gear for an extended distance.

Is the this sign of the reverse gear being shot or a solenoid or something else?

It’s a fairly early 5HP24 so it could be the ‘usual’ F-brake piston seal wear issue:

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...tchFPiston.jpg

Phil

So if this is the issue, would it require a total rebuild or would the gods be on my side an allow this to be an easy fix that doesn't even require the tranny to be dropped? ;)

Gods are on the expensive side as usual.
I remember reading a lot of threads about no reverse being fixed on 3 series etc....but that is a different transmission make.
That seal is the common failure.
I think that to prevent that to happen you would need to come to a complete stop before shifting from R into D...but probably I am wrong.

Yes, you need to take the tranny down and I would suggest a full rebuilt. The big cost is the labor not the parts. Do a search for 5hp24 and you will find a lot of info.