Amber Transmission(Gearbox) light

[Naruto]

Hi all,

On my way to Durban on the long weekend just before Van Reenens pass, my car decided to loose power as if it's on LIMP MODE and the amber transmission light came on. I was passing a Merc and had the footflat down and it lost power. I stopped on the side of the road for 5min and switched it off. Called BMW on Call and they couldn't help. I then started the car after 15min and it started and the Transmission light was off. I carried on until PMB and then drove to SMG and had it checked out. They ran their scans and couldn't find anything wrong with the car. Drove back to JHB and nothing.

Again over the weekend had my foot down and the light came on.
I did the same thing and it went off.

Do you guys think maybe I over revved the car?

This time it happened in Sandton on Sandton drive on that steep towards Rivonia rd.

Help please guys!!!

 

[Dmonic1]

I recall having that light only when the car had s/w, because the torque figure was too great the g/box went into protection mode!! a simple switch off and restart normally solves the prob...

Do u have aftermarket s/w on your car?

 

[P1000]

That usually happens only when the gearbox output speeds are not within the parameters compared to the gearbox input speed. Meaning it is slipping, meaning it will require a rebuild soon...

 

[mo_s]

best thing is next time it happens dont switch car off...go straight to bmw n leave car on n ask them to call a mech..did u by any chance get the jerk jus before car got into idle wen stopping beffore?

 

[Naruto]

I recall having that light only when the car had s/w, because the torque figure was too great the g/box went into protection mode!! a simple switch off and restart normally solves the prob...

Do u have aftermarket s/w on your car?

No S/W on the car

---

That usually happens only when the gearbox output speeds are not within the parameters compared to the gearbox input speed. Meaning it is slipping, meaning it will require a rebuild soon...

Time for a new car then.
Don't want to find myself with a serious problem like this :thumbdo:

---

best thing is next time it happens dont switch car off...go straight to bmw n leave car on n ask them to call a mech..did u by any chance get the jerk jus before car got into idle wen stopping beffore?

This thing seems to be happening at night so it wont work, but maybe I'll try to force it and see if it will come back on.

Yes it does jerk ....
what could it be?

 

[mo_s]

yip force it, cos I kno wit my dads merc the engine management light used t come on n switch off n they couldn figure it out until he drove it ther with the light on and it was the fuel pump or somtin.

donno...sigh...they flushed my box for 18k lol n reconfigured the software and it calmed down dramatically...according to ZF there was nothing wrong with the box...a fren of mine gettin a new box...asked him to let me kno if it stil gives that jerk..sigh..according to bm the kick is cos the steptronic tries to predict your driving...so its somtin t do wit that cos all they wanna do is reset the comps drivin style memory...if frens is fixed after the new box im gonna take it to his dealership..

btw, a slight rattling from the turbo while the cars decellerating, is it normal?...or can bm replace?

 

[XMAX]

I had this problem with my e46 318i steptronic. It happened to me on the way out of durbs near howick.

it happened with my car when I was shifting alot. lots of gearchanges. I presume the gearbox got confused and decided to chill out. I switched off for a while and it sorted itself out. never had the problem again.

I would also look at your vacuum hoses. Ive heared that the auto box works with a vacuum. It could be a loose clamp or something that shifts when you jerk the car.


I dunno if im close or a mile away, but I ive at least tried to help.

 

[Naruto]

Thanks gents, I'm not enjoy my trip to work in the mornings on those uphills just after the Total Garage on the N14 car feels slow and I'm scared to put the foot hard down

 

[mo_s]

Thanx XMAX :ty:...i always appreciate any help..cars stil on m/p sokeep giving it t bm wit things to look at otherwise they don do shiat unless its an obvious prob...

Naruto u stil on m/p?

 

[XMAX]

no probs bro. Ive not heared of these cars breaking gearboxes.

the e90s generally did not have gearbox problems.

 

[L~C~G]

Thanks gents, I'm not enjoy my trip to work in the mornings on those uphills just after the Total Garage on the N14 car feels slow and I'm scared to put the foot hard down

If it is still under motor plan drive the hell out of it so whatever is wrong breaks, then the idiots at the dealership can do what they do best and start replacing parts until they fix it.

 

[Naruto]

Hi guys,

so I got the same error again on saturday evening and took a picture of this and a video.

I'm really worried now and with so little mileage left on MP, I'm really considering a change

The car doesn't feel like a beast anymore...feels so slow and not responsive

 

[Tlvivo]

Naruto - have you checked if you are not leaking any fluid?

 

[Naruto]

2 weeks back I took the car for service and they said they noticed that my Gearbox oil was low and filled it up.

The service technician was adamant that the light came on because of the fluids being low, and I asked him what could have made this, and he said to me, wear and tear in the GEARBOX... I got worried and asked what wearing off in my Gearbox. He just told me some :argh: when I asked him he couldn't explain.

 

[Ricky318i]

mine was red. meant a toast gearbox.

Also jerked. in 3rd and 5th. Had to rebuild.

 

[Naruto]

Oh no!!!
I'm really worried now

Ricky how much did it set you back for?
where did you get it sorted?

 

[Tlvivo]

I am no gearbox expect but gearbox fluid shouldn't just go low (maybe someone more knowledgeable can correct me). If fluid was low there must be a leak somewhere, could be a crack or maybe a seal? Your warning is orange as opposed to Ricky's above so its not critical but needs urgent attention.

Is there a cover under your gearbox? maybe remove and see if there are no leaks - these under carriage covers disguise oil leaks very well especially if its leaking slowly.

worst case scenario is that your gearbox is shoelaced *(bust)... I say do as much trouble shooting as possible. As far as I know if transmission fluid is low in the gearbox the car will have loss of power as the gearbox is not working as it should.

my 2c...

 

[Naruto]

Car booked for Thursday.
BMW Cedar Isle said they have a gearbox specialist coming through on Thursday to look at my car so I'm hoping they sort it out.
Honestly I'm kinda worried about this.

 

[///M_Diesel]

This happened again after you left ?

330d is calling u:fencelook:

 

[Naruto]

This happened again after you left ?

330d is calling u:fencelook:

yip saturday night

I also think so about the 330d :rollsmile: