2003 E53 X5 Transmission Failsafe
 

BMW 2003 x5 Automatic Transmission whining shift rough and enter failsafe
mode when shifting from third to fourth gear.I tried it in manual drive, it shift ok
up to third gear then eaven in manual drive it tried to auto shift itself to fourth
and go to failsafe mode.Model 5HP24 4.4i E53.oil level is good New oil and filter.
Thanks for a workable solution.

Is the fluid new because you were having problems prior to the change?

Check the link in my previous post.

http://www.xoutpost.com/953083-post29.html

Whatever the problem is it gonna cost a bundle to remove and replace or rebuild the trans.

At this point the core problem is not known. That means we don't have any idea what the cost of repair will be.

The problem seems to be that the trans whines, shift rough and goes into fail safe mode when it tries shifting from 3rd to 4th gear. Only way to determine the real problem is to do a tear down on the trans and locate any failed components or replace the trans. Either way it's not a cheap fix.

Owner already tried the cheap fix with a drain and fill with a filter change.

He can bring the X in and get it scan but it will cost him anywhere between 150 to 200+ bucks and most likely the tech depending if it a indy or dealer will tell him he need to have the trans rebuilt or a rebuilt trans installed.

Trans whining could be a bad bearing and to replace a bad bearing in the trans is gonna cost the owner some bucks. One of my link had a post where the bearing was bad.

I'd guess that's gonna need a rebuild. I had the exact same but it was happening with 3rd 4th and 5th gear.

The transmission specialist just did a full rebuild because once you open it up, you might as well.

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Stmary has not responded to question if the fluid change was because of an existing problem.

I agree that it "sounds" like something internal to the transmission but your post came across to me that you know what is wrong and you are sure it is going to be big dollars. While a reliable transmission shop may not know how bad it is inside they will be able to provide a ballpark estimate based on the symptoms. Probably a good idea for Stmary to do some prep for potentially bad news but not sell his children prior to a tranny shop estimate.

The main problem is a lost of hydraulic pressure between 3 and 4th gear. This can be due to a crack drum, torn o-ring(s) or bad bearing(s) or perhaps a bad/weak solenoid. You won't get a definitive answer until you take the trans apart. Any time you remove a trans to inspect for defective/worn components or replacement it gonna cost you some big bucks.

Dealers will not rebuild a trans so their option will be that a rebuilt trans needs to be installed. Big Bucks.

An indy might rebuild a trans, but again a big buck repair. If it was my trans I would have them replace known problems area such as the upgrade drum, even if the drum appears to be fine. You're only paying for parts at this point.

I got all that. I know the cost of overhauling a transmission is a biggie. I have not been saying it isn't nor have I been saying the transmission will not need to be overhauled.

You are either ignoring, refusing to acknowledge or are missing my point entirely. Makes no difference at this point.