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.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

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.

Sounds like a B clutch problem.

Pressure in the B clutch circuit can be monitored from this tapping in the casing :

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...ps28baf186.jpg

It may also be worth checking the integrity of the external pipe feed for the B clutch above the valve block assembly :

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...psd749206e.jpg

Phil

RRPhil -

Glad to see you posting. Mind if I ask you a question....if a fault is picked up on temp sensor on the valve body, is the temp sensor a separate part that get's changed in the harness or does the harness just get replaced ?

If we’re talking about the ZF 5HP24 then the temperature sensor is an integral part of the wiring harness (i.e. it can’t be purchased separately)

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

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

You can test it by simply measuring the resistance between pins 13 & 14 on the 16-pin connector plug at the back of the transmission

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

Phil

Thank you RRPhil not only to the answer to my question but to the overall Transmission Questions Contributions !

From your first post you mention that you didn't know what the problem was or the cost to rectify it.

Your second post acknowledge the cost of overhauling a transmission is a biggie which I have already stated in many of my posts.

So what am I missing? That his fluid/filter change caused the problem? Most owners only do a fluid/filter change on the lifetime fluid after they start having a problem and hoping for the best that it will cure the problem. That perhaps it could be something as simple as firmware upgrade on the EGS?

The P.O. had already tried the cheap fix with a fluid and filter replacement and that didn't cure the problem. The next step is going to cost him some Big dollars. I have already given several postings where other owners had fixed similar problems after the trans were removed and disassemble.

I may not have made myself clear though I tried rephrasing just in case.

You continue to miss my point and now are misquoting me. As I said it no longer matters---you are absolutely correct, great diagnosis, right on target assumptions from what OP didn't say and the cost will certainly rip OP a new one. :thumbup:

@ bcredliner

Looks like your initial question was right. He had this problem for 1-1/2 years.

http://www.xoutpost.com/883687-post1.html

Whining problem occurred after a transmission drain and fill with the WRONG fluid (pentosin).

Apparently he's been driving the X with this problem and basically just drove it into the ground. One post and no reply, like the investors on Shark Tank for this reason I'm out.

BMW 2003 X5 Transmission failsafe
 

The lack of knowing the correct fill procedure is or was the problem. Like I have told many owners on this forum, if you don't have the expertise to fix your car, you will be better off taking it to a tech and let them fix it rather then trying to save a couple of bucks and causing more damage to the X. Using the wrong fluid in the first place and having to buy the correct fluid and flush the wrong fluid probably cost you more then if you just brought it in.

here's a link to the Rover forum which also uses the same ZF trans.

5hp24 Transmission - Whining after Fluid Change

Most likely by driving with a low fluid level, you may have cause additional problems or wear on the trans. When you started having this problem 1-1/2 years ago you should have just brought it to a tech. They would have perform a fluid level check and just inform you of their findings.

Good Luck.

Hi Phil

Hopefully you are still subscribed to this thread. Does the tstat show slow failure or a outright failure. My Indy pulled up tstat sensor code via GT1. Picked it up - drive it for about 20 minutes with no issue then no 4th gear, even during manual and when I got off the freeway, from a standstill, high rpm and no up shift to 2 and stayed in 1.


I'm bringing it back to the Trans shop in 2 days. Just not sure if will be okay with the 60 miles to get there or will it act up even worse.