Big Time Poster
Originally Posted by Calico_NC
OK buddy, & let us know. wish you best of luck.
:( :( I just got my tranny re-placed in my 1994 BMW 540i, I had the same problem. the problem was fixed, so i assume, 20 miles into to my travel the car felt like it did not want to move. Took the car back to the shop, i was told that the tranny computer is bad, and electric wires is no good, which make the tranny unable to send message to the OBC.i dont believe the diagnose the ive gotten. should i have the shop check the valve. NO MASSAGE ON THE OBC:(
Major Contributor
Jesus H Christ Bimmerlife. WTF.
In regards to Calico:
"a mechanic said the transmission mounts were cracked, could that be the problem here?" Yes, I would say a mechanic would know this. Secondarily, it could be that you've never changed the fluid in 200K miles.. but I'm just spitballing here.
5 X Red Line Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid - 1 Quart. Vehicle requires 3.2 quarts(1 extra just in case)
Part# RLATL- $8.95
Transmission Mount - Left
Part # : 24 70 1 138 427- $22.95
Transmission Mount - Right
Part # : 24 70 1 138 428- $22.95
Automatic Transmission Filter Kit
Part # : 24 11 1 899 KIT- $59.95
Flex Disc - 6 Hole - diameter = 135mm Automatic Transmisson
Part # : 26 11 1 209 168- $ 48.95
Flex Disc Nut - 12mm
Part # : 07 12 9 900 047- $0.95
Buy all of the crap above. Find a good independent BMW mechanic. Tell him to put it in. The end. If the trans fluid has not been changed in a long long time, you will want to rinse, repeat the trans/filter change after 5K miles due to crap floating around.
Just to give you an idea of the proper way to treat any car. The oil and filter are changed every 5-10K miles, assuming synthetic. The transmission and filter are changed every 60K miles. The fuel filters go between 30-50K miles, depending on if you buy 7-11 gas regularly. Microfilter/Cabin filter- 15K miles. Air filter- Variable, but around 20-30K miles depending on environment. Oh, and also don't date psychos. That helps extend the life of the car. And that's about it. Good luck.
Last edited by ThoreauHD; 05-21-2008 at 07:13 AM.
Big, Big Time Poster
I just got the call back from the shop. They said the transmission needs to be replaced. They said look for a good use one for and parts and labor would probably run about 2,000! I guess i'll be out of service for a while. If anyone knows of a good used transmission for sale, please let me know. If this doesn't fix my car completely I will probably give up on it.
4 Grand Master
Would somebody here please remind me and calico of the tranny guru so often touted on this board.
A good reman. is what he needs. These cars go to the scrapper because of mounting failures these days, not a nice near new car getting wrecked. Chances of a good used one are slim.
Two grand ought to cover the box and labor. as for the advice to change the fluid because of crap floating around,.. any mechanic worth a nickel will flush the cooler and lines with the install.
DON'T go to chain trans shops, they are thieving bastards. " Hi, I'm Claude Akins, your car may not need a new transmission" But you'll get one anyway.
Find an indy with lots of decent BMs in the lot, not **** boxes on deaths door, and get a price for R&R with your self purchased trans. Figure on buying a new guibo/u-joint and maybe mounts too, let the shop provide those items. The legwork will be worth it.
"The gas pedal wouldn't go to the floor if it weren't meant to be there"
Big Time Poster
Kirt Koeller is his name. Here is a link on how to contact Kirt.
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/141358
Big, Big Time Poster
I have a couple of questions about transmissions that I need some clarification on. First off, when getting a replacement, do i need to get the exact same type transmission, for example, I have a 525i, do i need to get an 525i transmission, or can i get a 535 or 540? I'm not looking for a manual trans swap though, just automatic.
Secondly, what do you think about transmissions from ebay? (I know that sounds bad, lol) I was looking at a few, and the millage on them seems good. Most under 100,000 miles. Here are some examples:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-A...spagenameZWDVW
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-A...spagenameZWD1V
4 Grand Master
Bad idea, both of 'em.
"about 75,000 miles" oh **** you Vines. They know how to read an odometer, not like they would tell the truth anyway. People won't be lining up for one with 175,000 will they?
Calico, do you know anyone with a car your age that has only 75k on it?
Read my previous post, shell out for a reman.
What is your recourse with a junkyard if the box is bad? Best case is they will send you another tired old piece of crap but you will be on the hook for labor and all the incedentals AGAIN plus shipping the old one back which they will insist on so they can get $20 for scrap.
Unless you have prior knowledge of a used autobox you are taking a giant risk. Hell, BMW themselves recommended NOT changing the fluid in them so what do you expect.
More of these are troubled than not at this age, you are asking to be bitten by buying an unknown autobox that old with such a reputation for failures.
You may also want to sniff around a bit regarding that particular seller's reputation.
3 Grand Master
As you are in the US I doubt you have the 5HP18 box that I have but if you do, there are about 12 different versions and they are not interchangeable. So anything I buy second hand will be 16 years old! I'm sure I've seen threads about rebuilding the 4 speed. No good to me but may help you. If you want to stick with the auto - as I do - you have two choices:
a. Pay about £1100 + VAT for a recon box thats only guaranteed a year
b. Have a go at fixing it yourself
With b at least you know whats been checked and replaced. And if you stuff up you can still use it for core charge or weigh in the aluminium
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