Harsh Downchange

[Gurbinder]

Hello Everyone,

This is my 1st post my partner has a 2003 53 4.6is & recently i have noticed it has a harsh jerk/lurch on downchange from 2nd to 1st I have read on other forums that the box may need a software update, The software update has been done & it is still the same (Master said my car was not in the software update range, but i asked him to do it anyway).

I spoke to another X5 gearbox specialist & he advised that I should change the MAF sensor which I did the problem is still there.

I have also noticed some hunting or clutch slip at 1500 - 2000 rpm, when on test drive with BMW Master Tech he said it may be clutch slip but said it was no major concern.

I have also noticed a whistle from the gearbox area under laod which goes when driving normally.

Please i need help as it was my idea to buy this car & all i'm getting from the other half is "we should have kept the old one"

Thanks in advance.

[Pete]

Hi, I think it is a common issue with the X5 - gearbox lurch. There is a way of doing a soft reset of the gearbox which I'm sure someone with more knowledge than me can tell you how to do it (it is something you can do yourself - turning key into a certain position and holding the brake pedal down for ten seconds or something), this works for some people.

There is also a chap on here that has replaced his transmission on a similar car to you (Steamyrotter i think) He might be the best person to ask RE symptoms (if it is a worse case scenario). Good luck with it, hope it isn't a serious fault developing.

[Gurbinder]

I have done the re-set which I got of X5driver but that did not work, thanks anyway.

[Pete]

It doesn't sound promising then - did you take a warranty out by any chance? I've looked into what car Steamrotter has and it isn't the same spec
http://www.xoutpost.com/regional-forums ... arbox.html

there was someone with a 4.6is that had exactly the same symptoms (whitling, poor gear change and slipping) and it ended up needing a new gearbox after it failed.

I am sure at some point today somebody in the know will post a reply to you.

[Gurbinder]

if it needs a new box that's fine I will just wait till it fails other then that it changes gear spot on.

[x555]

The only other thing that i know that could possibly help is gearbox oil change.They are said to be liftime sealed but i have heard that this can improve the smoothness of changes.IIRC pvr said that his was better after an oil change.
I had the software reset done on mine (after trying the hold the pedal down reset which failed)and it improved the 'lurch' as it's known drasticly but never fully cured it.I think that this is just a poor design that we have to live with.
more info on the lurch here.....http://www.thelurch.com/lurching_zf_transmission.htm

[Gurbinder]

How much for a gearbox oil change? is it easy to do?

[Turks]

How long have you had your car and where did you get it from? What sort of mileage is on it now?

Turks.

[Gurbinder]

Private buy, did not have problem when bought, had it about 3 mths & it's 88k FBMWSH.

[Turks]

Try getting some advice from Jason B & W. I think he can do the software updates and will do the gearbox oil change etc.


Turks.

[Gurbinder]

Is this the chap in Hounslow i have spoken to him & he say bring it down so we can look at it, so i see. Another gearbox specialist has said the A clutch is worn.

[pvr]

Gearbox oil change invoiced item was £80 (covered under warranty in my case as the seal was leaking).

[Turks]

[quote=""Gurbinder""]Is this the chap in Hounslow i have spoken to him & he say bring it down so we can look at it, so i see. Another gearbox specialist has said the A clutch is worn.[/quote]


Yeah thats the fella. If it isn't too much of a trek then I would make the journey... could be very worthwhile... especially if you have a spare £250 for a remap


Turks.

[Gurbinder]

My parent's live down the road so I might pop in next time I am down. The remap will that help the gear change?

[Turks]

It shouldn't feel the need to change down gears as often due to the increase in torque but it won't do much for the downchange as that is gearbox related and re-map is just engine.

Get the remap done and then just shift it into manual and drive round like that... you will never need to shift down to 1st gear!


Turks.