Is the Transmission going out?
 

The x5 acts fine driving for the most part. After 30 minutes of stopping at Intersections or in traffic I start to get a thud shifting into first gear. It only happens when down shifting and coming to a stop or under 5 mph.

Is this the first stage of losing the transmission? Could this be a clutch issue and is that something that can be replaced without changing the transmission?

2001 4.4 x5 226,000 miles Automatic Trans

Can you have the car scanned for codes with BMW software? That would be your first step. There should be some tranny codes if it's acting up.

Another suggestion is to check your flex disc.I had a similar problem on my 745 and it turned out to be the flex disc.
You could probably look underneath the car and see it the disc looks worn out. With that many miles it might be.
It's worth checking it out because it would be cheaper than servicing the tranny.

awesome, thanks. I will take a look.

Is the BMW software something I can use with my bluetooth OBD2 reader?

Do you know if the tranny has had any software updates or fluid & filter change recently?
My 04 4.8is was doing the same recently and had the module software update. It helped a lot with the acceleration thump after stopping.

I have not had anything like that changed.

Can you explain the module software update? Thanks!

Just found my buddy with BMW software. Will attempt a Software update this afternoon.

cross fingers

Found this thread on the 2 - 1 shifting.

DIY - How To Update Transmission Software (2-1 Shift problem) - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

I have a feeling this is my issue. I will also update the engine module at the same time.
Anyone know what is getting out of sync for this to be done?

If you are on your original guibos (flex-disc), you should reallllyyy replace them front and year.

Mine with 144,000 were almost completely shot.

It will extend the life of your driveline.

Either way, you're doing great w/ 220k on original trans!

Thanks, I will look into flexdisc as well. I had the front drive shaft changed at about 110k. I will check on that part as well. Good catch there.

I am about 10,000 miles from the Moon. We will have NASA prepare the lunar lander shortly.

I had the same thing, and rebuilt the tranny last month[$4500] with the heat from your area I would figure that it,s time. how many miles?

It has 227,000 miles. I am confident it can last longer, I have taken really good care of this vehicle. I want to give reprogramming a chance before I look at putting a new tranny on it.

After researching a bit more, this seems to fix the issue for multiple version of the Bimmer.

A tiny bit off topic but are they supposed to go into 1st when stopping? I've noticed that if I'm driving in Manual Mode and let it downshift automatically when coming to a stop that it always goes into 2nd and not 1st. Feels the same when taking off if I'm in manual/sport or auto so I'm assuming starting from 2nd is normal.

Just need to be a bit careful here, I think, because three different transmissions (ZF 5HP24, ZF 6HP26 & GM 5L40-E) are all being discussed in the same thread. These three transmissions have completely different mechanical architectures. The OP’s transmission (5HP24) uses a sprag (mechanical diode) to engage 1st gear rather than a hydraulically-controlled clutch pack.

Phil

Will that make a difference on the update of the module?

The issues with the 2-1 rollout shift on the 6HP26 are very well documented, the solution generally being to refresh the fluid and update the ECU software. It’s much less of a common issue with the 5HP24. The 5HP24 freewheels in 1st gear on the overrun so the 2-1 shift should be seamless/imperceptible.

I’m very interested in the fact that there’s software updates available for the Bosch controller running GS8.60.2. I’m much more familiar with the Range Rover application (which runs GS8.60.1) where there doesn’t appear to be any updates available at all.

This 5HP24 2-1 rollout shift issue very occasionally comes up on the L322 forums and the general consensus seems to be that it’s related to the transmission fluid temperature and possibly the engine idle speed but no-one has yet come up with a solution.

Phil

LOL

Great!

RRPhil, Would you happen to have any more detailed information concerning the software update for the ZF 6HP26, such as dates or software levels concerning this issue? ( thankfully mine does not need to have any of the symptoms, but knowledge is power! )

Is your transmission goin out? I would say no.
Take a look at this thread. This may answer
your question regarding what the problem might be..
Changing transmission fluid has nothing to do with it.
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ownshifts.html

Thanks, I will test this out...

Use 30 secs reset method. It will solve the problem.
-Turn key to position 2. But dont start the engine.
-Floor the gas pedal for 30-40 secs.
-Release the gas pedal, step on brake and start the engine.
-Drive FORWARD (Not reverse, so make sure you are out of your garage before you attempt to do the transmission reset)

Do this every other month or when the transmission start slamming again.

Hey BavariaTexan,

Have you try to drive with the AC on? I do have the rough downshift sometime (around 25%) and I notice when my AC is on I never have the issue maybe the AC fan kicked on often and it helps cooling the fluid? I haven't check my fluid level yet and will within the next 2 weeks.

It does it with AC on and off.

I did just attempt the Gas pedal hold for 40 seconds and shift into Drive. That seemed to work. I will give it a real test on the drive home this afternoon.

BavariaTexan;

This method will temporally relieve the problem. It is not a cure all.
From what I understand if your having the same problem i'm having
there is no permanant solution. I just learned what can cause it and
what to do to avoid it.

Sure, I am going to update the Transmission and Engine Module in any case, just wanted to see if that works. Still not sure if it did or not. I usually takes some stop n go's to actual bring up the issue.