bmw x5 4.6 2003 model gearbox problem

[coleybmwx5]

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone had this problem or a solution, When you first drive the car for the first 5 or 10 mins when everything is starting to warm up, I have a rattle from the gearbox when it changes gear or when I change in manual, I have to drive really slow for around 5 mins or I get the trans fail safe come up, most of the time it resets itself without me turning the engine off, If I start the car when cold & manually change up & down the gears 1st, 2nd & 3rd without the car moving before I set off, Say around 30 gear changes then start to drive, Everything is ok, Some times 2nd to 3rd will slip, Once up to temp, Everything is great, Smooth changes but do get the hard down shift from 3rd to 2nd, No problem when up to temp, Everything normal. I have had it put in a diagnostics, Error codes are (049) 31 symptom, gear monitoring, (059) 3B stall speed (P0720), (054) 36 gear monitoring 4 (P0734), (053) 35 gear monitoring 3 (P0733)

Any help would be really great full,

Thanks in advance.

[themoog]

Has it had a fluid change? Maybe that would sort it.

[coleybmwx5]

Hi, No not had fluid change, That's my next step.

[weirdfish]

How about the gearbox reset sequence that you can do, do a search for it, it sometimes makes quite a bit of difference.

[X5Sport]

Gear Monitoring warnings are errors between the Torque Converter rpm rate and gear system rpm rate.  In other words the two rates do not agree with the expected system parameters.  It sounds as if in 'cold mode' it isn't working properly but in 'hot mode' it's much better.  The modes are controlled by the system and determined by measured fluid temperature.

It could be low System pressure due to low fluid level, low pressure due to torque converter issues or gear slippage due to wear.  None of which will fill you with much pleasure.

Others with the same box on other cars have flagged the sensors being faulty as well as the reverse gear drum assembly - loss of reverse gear is a classic sign of imminent box failure on this 5sp auto.

[coleybmwx5]

I have done the reset when it first happened, Today the car been in & had the gearbox gear change program change for softer changers, See how this goes see if it helps.

[coleybmwx5]

Thanks all for your reply's.

Fluid level is at normal level, Doesn't smell & is normal colour, Is there any way to check the pressure & torque converter.

[X5Sport]

Fingers crossed it's that simple 

Not at home.  Gearbox specialist job I think.  Oil state is a good sign though.

[Steamyrotter]

[quote="coleybmwx5"]
Thanks all for your reply's.

Fluid level is at normal level, Doesn't smell & is normal colour, Is there any way to check the pressure & torque converter.
[/quote]

There is a small plug on the left hand side of the gearbox.
This is a tapping for the gearbox fluid pressure and is just post oil pump (so shows the controlled pressure)
It is an M10 fine thread.

You can fit a gauge there, or a pressure transmitter and remote display.

Details of what your expect to see are in the manual from here:-

http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/t ... l#msg22270

Torque converter you will have to suck and see....
I would confirm your lock up clutch works OK (should come in at about 45 in 4th and 50 in 5th.) Be light on the throttle and you will feel if there is any slippage.
Also should be no juddering.
If you get any of them then it is big bucks time.

Fluid may be OK, but filter may be blocked
You might need to drop the sump to check the magnets for debris.

Rattle could be anything from oil pump fins, to retaining clip on clutch pack, or one of the drums cracking (this has been known to happen on these)

[X5Sport]

.....I bet you could do all that from memory too......

[Steamyrotter]

I was......
:'(





Sad isn't it??
O:-)

[coleybmwx5]

Thanks for the info, Will give it a try when I get chance.