Oh dear, it's Trans.failsafe o'clock

murf62 · Post by **murf62** » Mon May 06, 2013 9:12 pm

I've had this error a few times resulting in it stuck in 4th gear. When I clear the fault, it's good for 100 or so miles then it re-appears.

The fault codes are:

LCM
59[089] trans failsafe program

EGS
03[003] pressure controller EDS3
30[048] torque converter clutch - too much slip

IKE
8D[141] EGS signal line disturbed

Page 20 of http://www.ge39.com/files/electran1%2B2.pdf says EDS3 is for "Overlap Shift Pressure Control" and it appears to be one of a series of solenoids in the valve body controlled by the ECU.

[quote="pdf thingy"]EDS valves are used for main line pressure regulation, TCC application and Overlap Shift
Pressure Control on the A5S440Z and A5S560Z. All pressure regulating solenoid are con-
trolled by Pulse Width Modulation[/quote]

I've tried clearing the adaptations via the throttle/ignition reset procedure and the fault remains.

Any suggestions? Does anyone know what kind of a job it is to replace one of these, and if there is an independant BMW/ZF specialist either in Cardiff or Bristol that can be trusted to sort it?

murf62 · Post by **murf62** » Tue May 07, 2013 4:51 pm

Can nobody recommend a nearby specialist?

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Tue May 07, 2013 7:32 pm

Perhaps no one has had a box repaired in the area. The one I used is 150 miles from you so not much help - even though they will come and get the car for you.

You could try this lot though: http://www.clutchandgearbox.co.uk/automatic-gearbox/. They're in your area.

Richard

Steamyrotter · Post by **Steamyrotter** » Tue May 07, 2013 11:58 pm

I had trans failsafe a few times...
First time was the lock up clutch stripped teh lining, wore through the metal to metal contact and filled the box with filings.... you can see the damage on XOutpost....

Second time around was due to the fact that someone had been in my box before me and rebuilt it wrong...
Third time was due to excessive wear in the AFL valve and Oil pump causing loss of pressure.

All within 6000 miles and one unhappy nutter...

After the last rebuild have had it on the road for 3000 miles but torque convertor is making a worrying noise so took off the road again until i had the time to look into it so it doesn't take the box with it....
.

Admittedly mine is the "weaker" GM 5l40E.

Try Glouscester Road Gearboxes in bristol:- http://www.grgb.org.uk/home
have had good feedback about them and they were extremely helpful on the phone.

murf62 · Post by **murf62** » Wed May 08, 2013 6:59 am

Many thanks, I will give them a ring.

murf62 · Post by **murf62** » Tue May 14, 2013 10:57 pm

So I rang round loads of "specialists" and most just don't have the appetite for anything more technical than swapping the box. Not what I call a specialist! Turns out that the one right on my doorstep (http://www.bristoltransmissions.co.uk) are one of the very few happy to go inside the box & replace solenoids.

Before committing to having the sump removed I thought I better try a new battery, which I have been putting off doing due to the LPG tank. Turns out that is seems to have cured the "fault". I've driven over 500 miles since and no errors at all, so hopefully it's all sorted!

Although the old battery was still showing 12.5v, I guess it just didn't have the guts when everything was on.

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Tue May 14, 2013 11:15 pm

Batteries do cause no end of error warnings on these especially 'self level suspension inactive' and 'trans fail'.

Smeeagain · Post by **Smeeagain** » Tue May 21, 2013 4:12 pm

[quote="Steamyrotter"]
I had trans failsafe a few times...
First time was the lock up clutch stripped teh lining, wore through the metal to metal contact and filled the box with filings.... you can see the damage on XOutpost....

Second time around was due to the fact that someone had been in my box before me and rebuilt it wrong...
Third time was due to excessive wear in the AFL valve and Oil pump causing loss of pressure.

All within 6000 miles and one unhappy nutter...

After the last rebuild have had it on the road for 3000 miles but torque convertor is making a worrying noise so took off the road again until i had the time to look into it so it doesn't take the box with it....
.

Admittedly mine is the "weaker" GM 5l40E.

Try Glouscester Road Gearboxes in bristol:- http://www.grgb.org.uk/home
have had good feedback about them and they were extremely helpful on the phone.
[/quote]

You mention the "weaker" version - what is the "stronger" version and how would I know which one is which ?

Smee

Smeeagain · Post by **Smeeagain** » Tue May 21, 2013 4:19 pm

What I meant was how would I know which one I have?

Smee

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Tue May 21, 2013 4:24 pm

Auto boxes are either Made by General Motors (GM) or ZF & are fitted as follows :

GM 5 speed 5L40-E (BMW reference A5S 390R) : Prefacelift 3.0i, Prefacelift 3.0d & Facelift 3.0i

ZF 5 Speed 5HP24 (BMW reference A5S 440Z) : Prefacelift 4.4i & 4.6is.

ZF 6 speed 6HP26 : (BMW reference GA6HP26Z) Facelift 3.0d, Facelift 4.4i, & 4.8is.

Smeeagain · Post by **Smeeagain** » Tue May 21, 2013 5:21 pm

Ok so I have a 2004 E53 3.0 D Sport so I guess I have the "weaker one" .......?

Smee

gchristofi · Post by **gchristofi** » Tue May 21, 2013 7:17 pm

[quote="smeeagain"]
Ok so I have a 2004 E53 3.0 D Sport so I guess I have the "weaker one" .......?

Smee
[/quote]

Yours is facelift if 2004, therefore "stronger" zf 6 speed gearbox. You do have 6 gears I presume?

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Tue May 21, 2013 7:31 pm

If it is as you say an '04 then a 6-speed it should be. Stronger yes, but can still surprise in a nasty way!! Rebuild costs - should you ever be unlucky enough to need one - are around the usual £2k..... :'(

They are supposed to be much more reliable than the 5-sp though.

Smeeagain · Post by **Smeeagain** » Thu May 23, 2013 12:05 am

[quote="gchristofi"]
[quote="smeeagain"]
Ok so I have a 2004 E53 3.0 D Sport so I guess I have the "weaker one" .......?

Smee
[/quote]

Yours is facelift if 2004, therefore "stronger" zf 6 speed gearbox. You do have 6 gears I presume?
[/quote]

Yes I think I have six gears ?!? Never thought about it to be honest !
Smee

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Thu May 23, 2013 10:33 am

Put it in manual and see how many it goes up to when you shift........

R

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