Auto problem

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

Moderator: martauto

Post Reply
User avatar
gingerrusta
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 527
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: Bedfordshire

Fri Jun 16, 2017 10:29 pm

Hi

While driving my 325 auto cabby tonight I found it kept stuttering when I used the kick down. It seemed to happen more in sport mode . It would rev up and then seem to knock the revs back and then it would rev up again and carry on with the power
Is there much to go wrong on these auto boxes ?
It changes gear fine normally and it's smooth so I'm a bit puzzled why it's started doing it .
User avatar
Stefan on probation
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 0
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2014 11:00 pm

Fri Jun 16, 2017 11:23 pm

The clutches in the auto-boxes can wear out eventually mine was fubar'd and in the end I had the box rebuilt, whats it like in "normal" mode as mine would slip as I was pulling away so had to drive it gently to the gear box shop as if you accelerated too fast the revs went up it got noisy but you weren't going anywhere.

You can try to disconnect the battery to see if it resets anything, the auto boxes do have a limp mode if you abuse them so bare that in mind.

HTH
User avatar
gingerrusta
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 527
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: Bedfordshire

Sat Jun 17, 2017 12:01 am

It's been fine and it has done it in normal mode. Car has been off road for a while and only recently I have been using it daily and noticed this problem.
No sensor etc would cause it ? Just thinking it would change gear crap every time ?
User avatar
Stefan on probation
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 0
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2014 11:00 pm

Sat Jun 17, 2017 12:06 am

If the battery has been disconnected then the ECU still may be "learning"
User avatar
gingerrusta
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 527
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: Bedfordshire

Sat Jun 17, 2017 12:09 am

I've probably done 400 miles now . How much did it cost to get your box refurb done ?
User avatar
Stefan on probation
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 0
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2014 11:00 pm

Sat Jun 17, 2017 8:25 am

gingerrusta wrote:I've probably done 400 miles now . How much did it cost to get your box refurb done ?
£1100
User avatar
peterjcollins
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 104
Joined: Sun Oct 14, 2007 11:00 pm

Sat Jun 17, 2017 12:45 pm

Where was the box refurbished and was it successful. Many thanks
User avatar
30316
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 160
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:00 pm

Sat Jun 17, 2017 2:12 pm

Mine was rebuilt about 10 years ago at cost of £700 which included a new torque converter. The ZF 4HP22 auto box as fitted to most e30s has one weakness in that idling for long time by leaving in P or N does shorten its life. Also reving in P or N is a no no. I found that out the hard way as the car had done only 65k miles.

After the rebuilt I have had no problems.
User avatar
Stefan on probation
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 0
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2014 11:00 pm

Sat Jun 17, 2017 2:19 pm

peterjcollins wrote:Where was the box refurbished and was it successful. Many thanks
Was done about 6 months ago and was fully refurbished so full strip down and rebuild, no issues at all came with a 12 month or 1200 miles warranty, I think I'd be hard pushed to do the 1200 miles in the year ;o))))

Guy called Rocky at Acton Technical Services in Acton, 0208 993 3249
User avatar
gingerrusta
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 527
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: Bedfordshire

Sat Jun 17, 2017 2:57 pm

30316 wrote:Mine was rebuilt about 10 years ago at cost of £700 which included a new torque converter. The ZF 4HP22 auto box as fitted to most e30s has one weakness in that idling for long time by leaving in P or N does shorten its life. Also reving in P or N is a no no. I found that out the hard way as the car had done only 65k miles.

After the rebuilt I have had no problems.

That sounds quite bad then if you can't rev it in P or N.
is this a common problem then ?

First thing I have done with mine is topped up the ATF. Just took it for a run and seems ok. My power steering rack has a leak which I'm guessing will effect it as it all works off the same fluid ?
User avatar
Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 49358
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Sat Jun 17, 2017 3:25 pm

Steering and gearbox use the same type of fluid, but not the same fluid. No connection between the two.
Not revving in P or N doesn't mean it won't - it's just a thing you shouldn't do.
Post Reply