No communication with gearbox......help! 2006 3.0 diesel

[Tudurx5]

Its in limp mode. Had it plugged in and there is no communication at all with the gearbox. Had the very talented Ender Ward take a look using the correct bmw diagnostic software and there is nothing.
Im going to check the gearbox ecu tomorrow  (drivers side front below the windscreen) for any evidence of water damage. Then take the gbox sump off to look at the mechatronic sleeve.
Has anyone had similar issues?  Any ideas!

[X5Sport]

I thought that on the ZF 6 speed the ‘brain’ was all in the Mechatronics unit at the bottom of the box rather than separate (which it was on the 5-speed versions)? 

The transmission needs an additional software module within the BMW diagnostics suite to talk to the transmission.  The normal software just reports no communication.

Bosch Autocentres have the full suite, and can programme new Mechatronics Units too.

[Tudurx5]

Sounds promising.
The guy I bought it off told me it was running fine other than a bit of a jolt between 1 and 2nd. He serviced the good using lifeguard 6 and the correct pan etc. This helped but it still wasn't perfect. So he the tried to do a software update but his computer crashed half way through. There is no communication with the dsc module either, but I've been told these are related to the gbox one anyway. So can anyone recommend a Bosch center near Exeter. How much am I likely to pay?

[Tudurx5]

Been told......
You can say it was tried with tool32 and WinKFP and no communication

[Greydog]

When the rear diff failed on my 4.6 called the AA who plugged in and reported "major gearbox issue sir there is no communication with the gearbox" I got it recovered by the AA to the BMW specialist I use and he rang me 2 hours later saying good news its the rear diff not the box, bad news BMW never released rebuild kits??
Happily the warranty picked up the tab.

[X5Sport]

Neither of those packages sound like the OEM readers hence no Comms.  There may be no issue other than it’s isn’t the right software so can’t talk with the gearbox.

If it’s suffered a failure bad enough to go into limp mode either look up Bosch Autocentres in your local area or see if there is a ZF transmissions repairer/dealer local to you, or who will recover the car for you.

My MU was £1.5k and a gearbox rebuild another £2.2k.  If they can reflash the MU (assuming it hasn't gone) which is feasible then you’ll be fine.  The gearbox 1-2 issue sounds more like a rebuild may be needed as once the clutches start to go then that’s that.  It could be a failing crossover solenoid valve in the MU and they are replaceable by a ZF specialist.

Getting the spares is becoming increasingly difficult as I recently experienced with an E46 box.  You can get service exchange boxes for around £1.5k and up.  More for ones with a 12-month warranty.