I have read innumerable postings about e-36 automatics. Here is my deal. I have a 92 325i with yep, you guessed it 100k on it. Sometimes around town, when coming to a stop, it doesn't downshift to 1st gear. It almost appears to stay in the 4th, or lock-up mode. The engine drags down, then it will go back to first gear. When accelerating after this, it sometimes stays in first gear.and doesn't shift to the next gear. There are a couple of things that seem to work. If I move the shifter to neutral, then put it back in gear (D), it will return to normal. On another occasion, I pulled over, shut the car off, waited for a minute, then everything seemed ok. The fluid is fresh, but I'm not certain how it is checked on these models....ahhhh, other than just strapping my wallet to the car, and dropping it off at the shop, does anyone have any ideas, or experience with this...I would really appreciate the help...thanks all
Automatic Transmission
- Thread starter newguy
- Start date
My 96 328i had somewhat simler problems. Mine would go into 'safe mode' seemly without reason. Although i did notice the dash lights would begin fading in and out. Alas, my problem was solved when i replaced the altenator.
A word of advice: if you choose to replace the altenator and order one from Bavarian, be prepared to go to your local hardware store a purchase a replacement bottom attachment bolt with nut and washer. the bolt will have to be 1 inch longer than the OEM. Reason: the Bosch replacement does not have a threaded end in it to reuse the OEM bolt.
A word of advice: if you choose to replace the altenator and order one from Bavarian, be prepared to go to your local hardware store a purchase a replacement bottom attachment bolt with nut and washer. the bolt will have to be 1 inch longer than the OEM. Reason: the Bosch replacement does not have a threaded end in it to reuse the OEM bolt.
Mine has 120k miles on it and yesterday I had a similar experience except everything was so fast (it shifted down) that I couldn't see if it was the tranny or the engine being sluggish for some reason. I also have problems with it going out of gear when I slam on the breaks (like trying to avoid an accident) and end up going very slow (slow enough to be in first gear), the transmission would slip (or shift into neutral and stay there) for a few seconds, enough for me to realise that something is wrong and try to apply more power, the rpms raise up and then it slams into gear. Did this happen to you also?
Oh, btw, did the problems start after the fluid change? Right now I am afraid to even change the fluid.
Oh, btw, did the problems start after the fluid change? Right now I am afraid to even change the fluid.
Sorry about your luck...In answer to your questions. It happened before the fluid change, and it hasn't done any violent, or jerky shifts when I've been driving along, or braking quickly. I would have the fluid changed. I guess my thinking is, if there were internal problems, you might get a hint by the colour of the fluid. I have seen previous posts that indicate some problems were sorted out by doing this, and it is the most inexpensive thing to do...good luck!
Thanks, I guess I'll devote my next weekend to changing the fluid.
I just remembered that a while ago my father had a similar issue to what you are having on his Chevy Corsica, it would run fine but if you go on the highway for a long period of time, I am pretty sure it just stayed in higher gear even after coming to a full stop. I don't exactly remember what the symptoms were, I was rather young back then, although I do recall him saying something about it not shifting down. I also do remember that he spent quite a lot of money on trying to get it fixed and as far as I recall, they narrowed the problem down to a sensor (in the tranny or one that the tranny collected data from) but the car got too expensive and wasn't worth going back in for the last time to change the malfuctioning part out though. Since both transmissions are made by GM, it might be a similar problem so it might be worth it to get it inspected and maybe the mechanic would be familiar with the problem, or talk to a GM mechanic even. Sorry I can't remember what the culprit was.
I just remembered that a while ago my father had a similar issue to what you are having on his Chevy Corsica, it would run fine but if you go on the highway for a long period of time, I am pretty sure it just stayed in higher gear even after coming to a full stop. I don't exactly remember what the symptoms were, I was rather young back then, although I do recall him saying something about it not shifting down. I also do remember that he spent quite a lot of money on trying to get it fixed and as far as I recall, they narrowed the problem down to a sensor (in the tranny or one that the tranny collected data from) but the car got too expensive and wasn't worth going back in for the last time to change the malfuctioning part out though. Since both transmissions are made by GM, it might be a similar problem so it might be worth it to get it inspected and maybe the mechanic would be familiar with the problem, or talk to a GM mechanic even. Sorry I can't remember what the culprit was.
I have put 200 miles on my '96 328i since swapping out the alternator. Haven't experienced any problems with the tranny since. In fact, with the additional voltage, the car is pulling very very strong. If the "Newguy" hasn't added a supercharger and aftercooler as i have i my car, the change should be very simple. Maybe 1 to 2 hours of work pending on his expertise. For $184 plus taxes and maybe $5.00 for the bolt, seems like a low cost test to make sure that was the problem. But then, if trusting his mechanic is his thing, so be it.
I would hope the alternator is the problem but it seems like yours behaved a little differently and you said the dash lights would fade in and out. Although the alternator could just have started failing and this is how the transmission reacting to it. How many miles did you have on the tranny when it started going into safe mode?
On a side note, not to hijack the thread but how do you like the supercharger? Any noticible downfalls?
On a side note, not to hijack the thread but how do you like the supercharger? Any noticible downfalls?
Answer 1: i had the trans rebuilt 2 years ago. Torque converter was cracked. Total miles on the rebuilt i would guess at 20,000. Started having the dash lights fade in and out approximately 4 month's following rebuild. Checked wiring under the car and found a bare wire from the NOS circuit brushing against the trans. Wrapped it and secured it and the problem went away. But the car started acting up 2 month's ago and as it appeared to me to be an electical problem i broke down a got an OEM altenator from the dealership. Dash lights are strong and as i said the car runs very very strong now.
Answer 2: It has taken me 4 years, a trip to California for DME programming and a lot of oil leakage problems. I would recommend AA works out of florida. I believe Summit Racing is their distributor. Now that the car is running as it should, i do like the added HP.
Downfalls: Gas milage readings constently show 40 mpg. In reality i get the same milage on the Hwy (28 mpg) as i did when stock. Have to use premium gas. But i did before adding the SC and Aftercooler.
If you have the SC professionally installed, you might avoid the problems i had by installing it myself. Stupid errors i admit. Just realize that you will be spending that 5 grand for a fun ride that your wife or significant other will not appreciate as much as you.
Answer 2: It has taken me 4 years, a trip to California for DME programming and a lot of oil leakage problems. I would recommend AA works out of florida. I believe Summit Racing is their distributor. Now that the car is running as it should, i do like the added HP.
Downfalls: Gas milage readings constently show 40 mpg. In reality i get the same milage on the Hwy (28 mpg) as i did when stock. Have to use premium gas. But i did before adding the SC and Aftercooler.
If you have the SC professionally installed, you might avoid the problems i had by installing it myself. Stupid errors i admit. Just realize that you will be spending that 5 grand for a fun ride that your wife or significant other will not appreciate as much as you.