Transmission Help - Going back to Park
 

Good afternoon. I've searched for options and started diagnosing, but would like some feedback and next steps. X5 is an '08 3.0 with 57K.

It rained hard last night, I don't know if that'll do anything as it hasn't before, but this being 2020, you never know, so I am mentioning it.

I got in the vehicle this morning to run an errand. Started up just fine and I switched into Drive fine. I lifted my foot off the brake to coast down my driveway and noticed it was barely creeping along. I gave it some gas and it started a bit but felt sluggish. I put it in reverse, came back, having never left the drive and put it in park. Turned it off and then back on again and now when I switch D or N, it swaps back to Park immediately. It has done a few different things this morning:

1. Gave me a "Trans Malfunction - Transmission position P may not be possible. Set parking brake when completely stopped" warning.
2. Then it would stay in Park and would immediately go back if I changed to D or R.

While searching online, I disconnected the battery and reconnected it to try to reset the codes/transmission. I have a Check Engine light now with P0015. I'll swap and clean the sensors to see if that goes away, but that shouldn't be the transmission. I'm still getting the issue where it goes right back into PARK.

Still, engine starts just fine, revs just fine. When I switch out of Park, to any gear, it goes right back in PARK. I've checked to make sure doors are closed, seat belt is fastened.

I'm at a loss now and could use some help please.

Thanks in advance.

Was the car out in the rain?


;)

Did P0015 show up with this issue? or has it been there for a while?






Why am I thinking BMW had an issue with some cars, quite a while back, with parking pawl issues, errors. Maybe a recall? Jsut a dead recollection, probably crossing my wires.....edit. Found some E53 stuff...




Also, do you have a BMW code reader? Might be a ton of errors your generic OBD is missing....

Yes, it was out in the rain. Trying to thin the herd so I can fit it in the garage. :) My first thought was something got wet, but I tried to check everywhere.

I don't have a BMW reader, just a generic one. The P0015 came on this morning also.
It was a PENDING CODE at first and then came on as a normal trouble code.

I've tried to erase the codes, but it came back. CEL is on now.

Still not wanting to get out out of Park.

I'm getting these two faults displayed.

Like I said earlier. Everything was good yesterday, its just that this morning when I got in to drive, it wouldn't go anywhere and then I got this display and it'll immediately go back into Park.

I'm guessing the rain is the culprit. I believe all communication to the transmission is via CAN and if the wiring is shorted out due to water, you will get a trans malfunction. I'm guessing you will have a code for a CAN communication error.

If you have an android device, buy a cheap ELM 327 Bluetooth interface on amazon and try my app which will read DME (Engine ECU) BMW specific codes.



https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...p-android.html

FWIW. Those are just generic 'driveline fault' messages. Perhaps 100 or 200 codes/errors might result in those. They really dont do much in term of diagnosis. Its like posting a picture of the CEL. ;)


Could be rain and CAN errors, but Im not sure that will lock tranny to park. I seem to recall it will go to a default failafe mode to let it move. But really not sure. Let us know when you get BMW codes.

Thanks. I don't have an android device but I may get one or borrow one for this.

Is there another good way to get BMW codes or is a $100+ specific scan tool or something like this the only way? I've seen Carly to connect to a phone or plug in devices such as Autophix.

I'll work on getting the codes this week.

There's a few ways but they're all more complicated or expensive :-/ The next way is to use a computer with diagnostic software (INPA or ISTA) and a K+D CAN cable which would be around $20, but that's fairly technical. I believe Carly can do it or you can get a Foxwell handheld scanner. Those are both more expensive options.

Thank you! I got a scanner from Amazon (had a gift card) so it'll be here on Friday; the Autophox 7910. I'm sure I can use it with other things also.

I'll hopefully report back on Friday with the codes.

I've been starting the car daily to see if it was rain/wet and it'll all magically go away or if any symptoms change. It'll go into gear at first and then will throw the "drive moderately..." message.

Good move.

Worst case it helps this on time and you never use it again...