Trans Program = $9000 (what!!!)

[J-SPEC BMW]

I know the "TRANS PROGRAM" is a pretty popular subject, and has been discussed plenty on this board. I need some guidance. I bought a 1993 525i J-SPEC with roughly 50K Miles about 5 months ago in Japan. It is a very clean car and was babied before I bought it. I am now in Turkey and this car has not even coughed, once. I do my own maintenance - oil service, coolant flush, sparkpluggs, etc.

Last week I encountered the infamous "TRANS PROGRAM". At first I got the error once a day; I could shut the car off and re-start and it would be fine. Eventually is began to happen more often, but it wasn't too bad because it would flash "TRANS PROGRAM" and instead of saving itself and going into 3rd gear like most people have experienced, the alert would go off and my car drove perfectly.

Now, I began to notice when the car would up-shift it started to wait for a higher RPM. It kept getting higher and higher. This would only occur from 1st to 2nd most frequently. I had a feeling it was the "pulse generator" in the tranny as I did all the suggested methods (Such as cleaning electrical connections in shift-selector, battery check, car computer, etc.). It was happening so randomly that I couldn't believe it was a direct mechanical problem. Eventually it got up to 7000RPM's before it up-shifted and I can't drive it anymore.

I decided, since I am new in Turkey and just wanted to get this fixed quickly I would bring it to the BMW Service Center here. I drove it there, gave them the play-by-play of what I was experiencing and told them what I believed it was. They laughed at me (There was only one english-speaking person there so she was translating what I said to their mechanic). She said it would be about 2 hours so they could run some tests. I waited and waited and waited. About 4 hours later they were done, she said that it wasn't the pulse generator, but that the gear-box would have to be replaced and it would cost 7000 EUROS or about $9000.

Now, I bought this car for $5000. I am really not that stupid. I do need some help though. That shop is the only place I can really bring my car to get serviced in Turkey. I am here for another 2 years. I did find a webpage - www.phoenixhardparts.com (They offer remanufactured transmissions). I can replace my whole transmission and buy a remanufactured one from them for about $1500. I can also try to replace the "pulse generator" myself. I am really stuck here. That car is my only transportation. I just bought it and I can't see it go to waste. Any help is solving my problem would be greatly appreciated. I know this post has been long and detailed, but thank you for reading this far. I attached a picture of the car just so you all can see her.

[shogun]

That is a nonsens. Write to BMW AG Germany or find out the headoffice of this company or BMW Turkey. A complete trans costs in Germany about 2.500$ for an E32 and you get one for max. 1000 US $ with 1 year guarantee from the used market. That in case that it would be really a trans problem.
Check out and find ZF offices in Turkey. Best is you contact BMW main dealer directly.
If you cannot find anything in Turkey, buy from outside Turkey and still it is cheaper.
Even if you take for one month a bus or a rental car, it will be cheaper.
Take the car back and talk with you friends and check what is possible. Then bring it to a reputed company.
There are very good mechanics in Turkey. And a lot of BMW which are imported from Germany mainly. It does not matter if the trans is German or Japanese specification.
Here a link
http://www.sachs.com.mx/owx_4_29748_...49060d2fc.html

[WarrenBrown]

I have to agree, 9K is way out of line. Shogun has a lot of good ideas, the only thing I can add is the transmission in a 525i is a GM A4S310R not a ZF like the 535 and E32.
Good Luck

Warren
91 318is
95 525iT

[shogun]

I am not sure what the gear type is really. Just selected a 10/93 European version 525iA and the follwoing gears pop up.
You can try with your VIN to find the right one.
click here for the trans types

The price of 7.000 EURO is rediculous.
That would be converted to todays rate 9.126 US $. Remember this page for conversions.
click here

Or is it just a miscalculaion EURO/US $ ?
Or misinterpretation?
Usually Turkish people have a good skill. And their prices are much cheaper than western Europe. So many people drive their cars to there to make holiday and repair the car.
Check that out once again and if possible use an interpreter who understands the material you are talking about and you can trust.

[Bill R.]

zf or a jatco on the japan market cars, not the strassbourg turbohydramatic like the US cars.







of good ideas, the only thing I can add is the transmission in a 525i is a GM A4S310R not a ZF like the 535 and E32.
Good Luck

Warren
91 318is
95 525iT[/QUOTE]

[liquidtiger720]

9k!? are you serious. I thought I was getting jipped rebuiling mine for 2400.

Sorry to hijack, but bill, does that tranmission code refer to the 95 525i or are you taking about the japanese ones?

[RayC.]

I know the "TRANS PROGRAM" is a pretty popular subject, and has been discussed plenty on this board. I need some guidance. I bought a 1993 525i J-SPEC with roughly 50K Miles about 5 months ago in Japan. It is a very clean car and was babied before I bought it. I am now in Turkey and this car has not even coughed, once. I do my own maintenance - oil service, coolant flush, sparkpluggs, etc.

Last week I encountered the infamous "TRANS PROGRAM". At first I got the error once a day; I could shut the car off and re-start and it would be fine. Eventually is began to happen more often, but it wasn't too bad because it would flash "TRANS PROGRAM" and instead of saving itself and going into 3rd gear like most people have experienced, the alert would go off and my car drove perfectly.

Now, I began to notice when the car would up-shift it started to wait for a higher RPM. It kept getting higher and higher. This would only occur from 1st to 2nd most frequently. I had a feeling it was the "pulse generator" in the tranny as I did all the suggested methods (Such as cleaning electrical connections in shift-selector, battery check, car computer, etc.). It was happening so randomly that I couldn't believe it was a direct mechanical problem. Eventually it got up to 7000RPM's before it up-shifted and I can't drive it anymore.

I decided, since I am new in Turkey and just wanted to get this fixed quickly I would bring it to the BMW Service Center here. I drove it there, gave them the play-by-play of what I was experiencing and told them what I believed it was. They laughed at me (There was only one english-speaking person there so she was translating what I said to their mechanic). She said it would be about 2 hours so they could run some tests. I waited and waited and waited. About 4 hours later they were done, she said that it wasn't the pulse generator, but that the gear-box would have to be replaced and it would cost 7000 EUROS or about $9000.

Now, I bought this car for $5000. I am really not that stupid. I do need some help though. That shop is the only place I can really bring my car to get serviced in Turkey. I am here for another 2 years. I did find a webpage - www.phoenixhardparts.com (They offer remanufactured transmissions). I can replace my whole transmission and buy a remanufactured one from them for about $1500. I can also try to replace the "pulse generator" myself. I am really stuck here. That car is my only transportation. I just bought it and I can't see it go to waste. Any help is solving my problem would be greatly appreciated. I know this post has been long and detailed, but thank you for reading this far. I attached a picture of the car just so you all can see her.

I had a similar trans prog problem and after much reseach and trial and error (speed sensor, etc.) I eventually changed the tranny 1-2 & 2-3 solenoids and the problem has gone away. Originally I had the problem diagnosed at a dealer and they also told me I needed a new tranny. It seems that the dealers are trained to tell everyone to just get a new tranny instead of fixing the problem.

Good luck

-Ray
I have a '94 525ia (4L30e)

[Javier]

unless it is the speed sensor in which case they replace the harness.

the dealers are trained to tell everyone to just get a new tranny

[J-SPEC BMW]

I just wanted to tell everyone thanks for the advice and help. Right now I am in contact with the BMW Service Center in Ankara, Turkey. That was the closest and only BMW Service Center I could find. I am trying to get a paper copy of their estimate. In the mean time I ordered a replacement "pulse generator" and the Bentley Repair Manual. I am going to first try to replace the pulse generator. Then I will try to replace the 1-2 & 2-3 solenoids. Can anyone give me some more details on the location and procedure for replacing the solenoids? I would really appreciate it. I know the Bentley manual will help me out greatly, but I don't expect that for another 3 weeks. Again, I appreciate everyone's advice. Thank you, Kyle Ward.

[shogun]

The speed sensor sits on the differential. Use my website as much as possible. There are many links to other repair sites. For example how to replace the speed sensor is shown on Bruno's website. There is a link to his site too.
There are also online wiring diagrams, and also a link to europeantransmissions website.

I think it is in general for the car service/dealers that they recommend to change transmissions instead of repairing it.
If you have problems to allocate used parts, remember this address from the U.K.
The owner Rob Nicol is helping the guys on the U,K, board very good. I also bought parts from him. Reliable and good prices and he could also help you out at the phone.
http://www.bavarianautoparts.co.uk/main.htm

If you would really need a japanese trans which you could not get in Turkey: then let me know. I would try some contacts here in or around Tokyo.
If you still have some friends in Japan from the U.S. forces, maybe it is easier for them to transport it.
They should watch Yahoo Japan for such items for E34, here is the link to the auctions with 46 pages on parts for offer.
http://search.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/s...ale=0jp&mode=2