NO GEARS! PLS HELP!

[matthewwhittal]

Hi guys, i need advice.
Whilst driving my 1999 540i e39 auto this weekend, going around a traffic circle it just lost all gears? No noise, no vibration just as if it popped into neutral? Once the car was standing engine was purring like a kitten, but would not engage any selected gear, even toggled through all gears in "manual" but nothing.... Only once you go back into park does it make a grating sound. WHAT COULD THIS BE? I DONT WANT TO BE RIPPED OFF BY THE WORKSHOP AND REPLACE THINGS NOT NEEDED.

Please help................:thinking:

 

[P1000]

Does the indicator on the dash show the correct selection? If so, you will probably need a geabox rebuild, budget around 20-30k for that, depending on how good you want it done.

Alternatively, I am sure someone will be willing to offer you a couple of peanuts for it like it is...

Sorry.

And welcome to the forum.

 

[matthewwhittal]

YES THE DASH DISPLAYS THE SELECTED GEARS. The shop were the car is now got the car going for a while yesterday by resetting the pc, but it only went a short distance and bombed out again...

 

[P1000]

Hmmm, maybe it is low on fluid. Does the transmission fault appear on the dash? Did they do a diagnostic on the car?

 

[Jandre]

Did you get a message on the instrument cluster that says "Trans Failsafe mode", or something like that?

If so, my money would be on a failure of the clutch pack.

No expert though, but I saw one that did this a few months ago.

 

[matthewwhittal]

Yes they did a diagnostic on the car, but no faults relating to the transmission? The only faults showing are for a camshaft sensor.... So brake warning is on, DSC warning is on and ABS warning on..... How do you check fluid levels on these boxes?

 

[P1000]

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/68013

 

[zaleonardz]

And with what software did you do the diagnostics.

This could by anything from a torque coverter, to valve body. oil pump in the gearbox

It does sound though like its oil related....

 

[matthewwhittal]

Not sure what the software is called, but it was done at a Bosch Service workshop in Jeffereys Bay Eastern Cape. It is the only workshop in my area capable of doing the test. But i noticed they did not even have the correct plug for the car they just coupled up two wires to two prongs within the pc connector..........? Is this a reliable test?

 

[BMW M]

...noticed they did not even have the correct plug for the car they just coupled up two wires to two prongs within the pc connector..........? Is this a reliable test?

What do you think....? :hammerhead:

 

[ZlinG]

Sounds to me it is your clutch kit that is finished...

I once had a similiar problem where I was driving and all of a sudden when I gear down, the refs would just go up and the car is going slower. I replaced my clutch kit for R3000.

 

[ZlinG]

Sounds to me it is your clutch kit that is finished...

I once had a similiar problem where I was driving and all of a sudden when I gear down, the refs would just go up and the car is going slower. I replaced my clutch kit for R3000.

 

[P1000]

Sounds to me it is your clutch kit that is finished...

I once had a similiar problem where I was driving and all of a sudden when I gear down, the refs would just go up and the car is going slower. I replaced my clutch kit for R3000.

His gearbox has >30 clutches in it, so you won't fix it for R3k if that is the problem... (It is an automatic)

 

[rick540]

The symptoms could mean anything at all.

You need to get it properly diagnosed and that will show up the problem.

Did it do anything strange at all the week before the failure?

Also rebuilding these boxes for 30K is bull as they are so complicated inside it's hard to get 100% right, you can get a recent "2000 odd" second hand low mileage transmission with warranty for like 12K and it's better than rebuilding.

 

[P1000]

Also rebuilding these boxes for 30K is bull as they are so complicated inside it's hard to get 100% right, you can get a recent "2000 odd" second hand low mileage transmission with warranty for like 12K and it's better than rebuilding.

I would like to disagree, but I rather wish we could do it over a conversation, I am too tired to type.

 

[rick540]

Also rebuilding these boxes for 30K is bull as they are so complicated inside it's hard to get 100% right, you can get a recent "2000 odd" second hand low mileage transmission with warranty for like 12K and it's better than rebuilding.

I would like to disagree, but I rather wish we could do it over a conversation, I am too tired to type.

I've just rebuilt one recently the clutch packs are shitty stamped metal and tend to get fatigue fractures, if I had my way rebuild yes, but basically replace the entire innards, it's just too many parts to order.

The transmission I replaced in my E39 had only 80000Km on it and I got it cheap.

Just saying

 

[P1000]

I've just rebuilt one recently the clutch packs are shitty stamped metal and tend to get fatigue fractures, if I had my way rebuild yes, but basically replace the entire innards, it's just too many parts to order.

The transmission I replaced in my E39 had only 80000Km on it and I got it cheap.

Just saying

Okay, that sounds like a good deal. The rebuild I was referring to replaces everything inside, clutchpacks, TC, valve body (rebuilt), oil pump, pistons, all seals and gaskets. Then you have a new box. They usually reuse the gearsets and sprags, though.

 

[rick540]

It looks like the 5HP22, oops I mean 5HP24 (A5s440z) in the E39 is following the same route as the early E46 auto boxes with clutchpack failures now that the mileage is getting on the things.

Mine was replaced because the torque converter lock up clutch was slipping, IanE39's burst a front clutch pack, just sorted one for a friend, front clutch pack as well.

This could of course be caused by dirty oil over pressurizing them?

I need to change the oil in mine, anybody know where I can get the Esso LT71141, stealer will only sell me 25Lt at R1000000000000

 

[P1000]

LOL, I do not know where you can get it, sorry, maybe call SOS oil?

(its the 5hp24 btw)

 

[zaleonardz]

Hence....

The spec when I was looking for a replacement car for my wife was, BMW, manual, FSH.

Its actually scary how interchangable these boxes are between cars, so pretty much any auto these days are you to playing with your wallet...

Test drove a 318 in auto today, and I could swear I got a strange vibration before it would engage gear, and just on that I left the car...


But before we get carried away, take this to an expert with the required tools, having this done by "piet who knows gearboxes" is going to end in tears... yours