Any E34 Auto gearbox guru´s out there?¿

[david e34 spain]

I love my 1994 525tds, (oem number HA01). And that love has emptied my wallet several times! But now i am stuck. She ate her Zf 5hp-18 autobox, so i bought an exchage rebuild. 3 months later that blew, as did the company that guaranteed it. For a year i have been trying to locate a box, but the original is a type "a" and very rare. At last i have an "as new" replacement, but it is a type "b". I have been told they are the same except the electrical connector. both are 13 pin, just the actual plastic fitting is different. The Question i have is if anyone knows of an adaptor of some sort for the plug? or a cheat? or do i have to swap over the relay loom inside the boxs? tech guff: old box zf no. 1056-401-035 bmw nr 1 421 133(4). new box zf no. 1056-401-087(8) bmw nr. 1 219 722(3) Many Thanks to you all. David

[genphreak]

Sorry David I don't know about that one. Compare the pin outs/wiring colours on the two using the wiring diagrams- Also check to see in the parts catalogue if the TCM Trans Control Module/Trans computer are different on your car to the others. If a different TCM, you probably should get that too 9but check the plug's wiring for differences also. And let us know how you go, this will come up again I'm sure.

[david e34 spain]

Yes, its a hard one! The control modual is the same on the a and b boxes. If I can not get any more deffinate response I am going for the switch out on the internal relay harness. Let you know. All the bestdavid

[whiskychaser]

You really want a 1421928 as that is plug and play for a 1421133. From what I can see, the 1219722 is not even compatible with its predecessor which was the 1219012. What you could consider is swapping the valve body complete with loom from one of your original boxes into the 'new' one. But as that may have been the original problem, maybe confirm the following before you get the spanners out:
Month of manufacture of your car?
Is it a UK?
What is wrong with the current gearbox?

[david e34 spain]

Hello Whiskey changer. Too late spanners are well and truly out! Bmw finally gave up there secrets. The wiring harness for the old box (a type 5hp-18) is identical to the newer boxes (b type 5hp-18) except the final plug. the older has 16 pins, newer 14, but both have 14 wires going to the same relays (etc). The loom is 1421745, and the assembly with relays etc is A5S310Z. this connection compatibility issue happens on the first run of x5´s aswell. the solution bmw employ is simply to use individual female pins to make up the correct sequence, and fix them permanently to the boxes. Today I stripped down the old box to simply swap out the harness but it was in such a shocking state that I decided on a dignified burial instead. In answer to the month of the car, it is an early 94(HA01), made for German use and imported to Spain in 2006. interestingly the old plug is dated 7/93. Unfortunatly being an uk expat in Spain, limits access to quality spares or service! the original box was Rebuilt twice, first time blew in a few months and the supplier failed as well, the second specialist has attempted over a period of a year to repair but is about as much use as a hat in a tornado. having stripped the box myself now, I can see why. the original rework was shockingly bad with only half a job done at most. this has left the unit with damage and wear through out, extenuated by the second garages attempts at a rebuild. if I was in the uk I would have no problem having a good rebuild, but that is not my case.The replacement box has a recorded history, a write off with only 20k on it. A much better risk in my opinion, so it seems I am to make a plug up! many thanks.

[whiskychaser]

That mileage is less than 1k per year so it shouldnt be worn out :-) A quick check shows loom 1421745 is good for 9/92 onwards. So I imagine your 'new' box pre-dates that and has the older style fitting with the screw cap? Now if you needed one of those I could probably help :-) Did BMW simply say change the loom and you are good to go?

[david e34 spain]

The replacement boxes plug,is the smaller metal one as oppossed to the large plastic type. ive opened the replacement box and you can eat your dinner of it! To replace the car loom is much the same problem, althought the electronics are the same, the loom is different dow to the box. Bmw themselves make up plugs on the odd occasion when needed.
Going to make up a plug over wekend. will post a photo, i hope!

[whiskychaser]

Memory may be going, but doesnt the end of the cable from the tranny terminate in a multiplug under the shifter panel? If so, that would be the place to make the switch rather than the messy end? I'd be interested to read what BMW said

[david e34 spain]

Well I can safely say that your suggestion is my last option! trying to get the loom from box to control. had a nightmare trying to make up a plug, I know when I am beaten! trying to find out if the cable to control is the same wiring on both box options. otherwise I am heading for a problem, 14 wires on both, colour coded with 2 brown (temp) 2 yellow (speed) but 3 whites!! need to9 hit the wiring diagrams a bit more! As for bmw, I only spoke to them, they put me intouch with their main mechanic at the Cano group, in Barcelona. He was familiar with the issue through experience with the X5, and as I said they just make up the female plug. I miss my old 7, never had problems! apart from its consumption! (735 xi-manual!)

[whiskychaser]

Sounds like they kept the old colour codes inside the box. In which case, two of the whites go to MVs and one goes to the temp sensor. Do you have the wiring diagrams and TCM connector pinouts to refer to?