Think i just out this in the wrong forum - ill try here!
Hello.
I have a 1991 E30 320 convertible auto switchable.
My car has decided that it doesn't want to change out of first gear when in auto mode a lot of the time. It works fine when I switch it to 321 mode and I can then use the gear stick to move up/down the gears.
It seems worse when the weather and the car is cold. If I drive round for a while (say 20 mins) and then use auto mode it works fine. However when it's cold, at 40mph using the 321 mode, if i then switch to auto it changes to first gear and revs like mad.
Can anyone help me or tell me where I can go to learn how this system works please?
Thank you.
Warren
Auto gearbox stuck in first gear
Moderator: martauto
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fixedwheelnut
- E30 Zone Regular
- Posts: 906
- Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: South East London
Are there any gearbox oil leaks?
Is the gearbox oil level ok?
With a hot engine at idle the ATF level should be about half way between the min/max on the gearbox dipstick
Is the gearbox oil level ok?
With a hot engine at idle the ATF level should be about half way between the min/max on the gearbox dipstick
Also check the ECU that controls the EH gearbox. If the connector gets damp and corroded then you will see the issue you are having. On a sedan or coupe the EH ECU is in the boot behind a cover on the left side. Leaks from the radio antenna grommet will cause problems as water can run down the wiring loom.
So I tried to check the oil level this morning but the dip stick kept getting covered and I couldn't tell a level - I'll try when engine is cold/when not in a rush to get the train.
The colour of the fluid is red so we're good there. I had the oil rad pipes changed this year so it's fresh stuff in there.
There were a few spots in the road under the car so I'll investigate a leak, nothing major on the floor under the car though but I put 200ml of oil in just to be safe, I used ATF DX111 I got from euro car parts.
I'll also check the ecu when I get 5.
Cheers for your help so far.
The colour of the fluid is red so we're good there. I had the oil rad pipes changed this year so it's fresh stuff in there.
There were a few spots in the road under the car so I'll investigate a leak, nothing major on the floor under the car though but I put 200ml of oil in just to be safe, I used ATF DX111 I got from euro car parts.
I'll also check the ecu when I get 5.
Cheers for your help so far.
check also your gearbox mounts.
As Will noted, the alignment of the shifter rod is worth checking. My EH auto refused to move into 4th until I replaced the soggy mounts and adjusted the linkage.
I still think the problem the EH ECU in located in the cold and damp boot...
As Will noted, the alignment of the shifter rod is worth checking. My EH auto refused to move into 4th until I replaced the soggy mounts and adjusted the linkage.
I still think the problem the EH ECU in located in the cold and damp boot...
I don't know if the EH box has a kickdown switch under the accelerator pedal or not. If there is one there I would disconnect it and see if that fixes your problem. I had an issue with a Mercedes doing that exact same problem before and it turned out that the kickdown switch was stuck.
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 49353
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
It does.JP1800 wrote:I don't know if the EH box has a kickdown switch under the accelerator pedal or not.
Hello all and Happy new Year.
So the level looks like its too high, its at a level just before the end of the black plastic area - ill have to drain some.
Had a look at the ECU in the the boot but not sure how to check the contacts. It's all dry in there with no corrosion though. The ariel isn't leaking.
@willnz - Im from New Zealand, born in Lower Hutt and used to live in Rotorua - moved to the Uk when i was 7 though. Anyhow, how do i go about checking this as per your advice:
Also check the setting on the shifter itself - that it is properly switching to drive when selected- there is a small amount of adjustment to set it if it is not.
Ill check the kickdown switch next. Im sure i can google how to disconnect it.
Whats an EH box
Thanks for all the help guys, i'm new to all this and your being very helpful
Warren
So the level looks like its too high, its at a level just before the end of the black plastic area - ill have to drain some.
Had a look at the ECU in the the boot but not sure how to check the contacts. It's all dry in there with no corrosion though. The ariel isn't leaking.
@willnz - Im from New Zealand, born in Lower Hutt and used to live in Rotorua - moved to the Uk when i was 7 though. Anyhow, how do i go about checking this as per your advice:
Also check the setting on the shifter itself - that it is properly switching to drive when selected- there is a small amount of adjustment to set it if it is not.
Ill check the kickdown switch next. Im sure i can google how to disconnect it.
Whats an EH box
Thanks for all the help guys, i'm new to all this and your being very helpful
Warren
Afternoon all. Does anyone know how i test the kickdown switch?
Is it a simple on/off switch? If so, I can use my multimeter to test it - but where do I access wires.
Thanks.
W
Is it a simple on/off switch? If so, I can use my multimeter to test it - but where do I access wires.
Thanks.
W
I disconnected the kick down switch and took the car for a test drive - it still refuses to change up into 2nd gear, revved until about 5000 before I backed off.
I then took out the gearbox ecu and took it into the house. There's no sign of moisture/corrosion on or in it or on the connector so I left it overnight I a warm place and connected it just before driving off this morning. It's still doesn't change up.
So I'm still driving round using the switchable mode, manually changing through the first 3 gears (with no problems). When I put it into D to try and get 4th gear it immediately changes back into 1st.
I'm going to assume that driving round (3 miles a day to the train station) using the switchable gears isn't a problem.
Any other ideas?
Cheers all
W
I then took out the gearbox ecu and took it into the house. There's no sign of moisture/corrosion on or in it or on the connector so I left it overnight I a warm place and connected it just before driving off this morning. It's still doesn't change up.
So I'm still driving round using the switchable mode, manually changing through the first 3 gears (with no problems). When I put it into D to try and get 4th gear it immediately changes back into 1st.
I'm going to assume that driving round (3 miles a day to the train station) using the switchable gears isn't a problem.
Any other ideas?
Cheers all
W
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 49353
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Has the condition of the elecrical plug/socket on the gearbox itself been checked?
I've not checked it - where is it please?
I can't see it on any pictures of a removed gearbox.
Thanks for the reply.
I can't see it on any pictures of a removed gearbox.
Thanks for the reply.
Very worth remembering
Mart.
Only the E46 cab left now.
Just got too old.
Just got too old.
The kickdown "switch" has no function except to give vague feedback to the driver.
Even if it is stuck it will not affect the operation of the gearbox.
Ben
I wasn't monitoring this thread sorry.
Yes after much faff i did get this sorted. Turned out that it was some sort of speed sensor inside the gearbox that was giving the wrong voltage so the ECU wouldn't change up.
I had to take it to an automatic gearbox specialist and buy horribly expensive (for what it was) wiring diagrams from BMW. They fixed it after that and it's been running brilliant ever since.
I've got the diagrams if anyone needs them.
Yes after much faff i did get this sorted. Turned out that it was some sort of speed sensor inside the gearbox that was giving the wrong voltage so the ECU wouldn't change up.
I had to take it to an automatic gearbox specialist and buy horribly expensive (for what it was) wiring diagrams from BMW. They fixed it after that and it's been running brilliant ever since.
I've got the diagrams if anyone needs them.
It might be worth posting the diagrams on here. Someone’s bound to need these in future.
wobblewoo wrote: ↑Wed Mar 30, 2022 4:14 pmI wasn't monitoring this thread sorry.
Yes after much faff i did get this sorted. Turned out that it was some sort of speed sensor inside the gearbox that was giving the wrong voltage so the ECU wouldn't change up.
I had to take it to an automatic gearbox specialist and buy horribly expensive (for what it was) wiring diagrams from BMW. They fixed it after that and it's been running brilliant ever since.
I've got the diagrams if anyone needs them.
E30 325i Cabriolet Alpinweiß chromie
F12 640d
G11 730d
F12 640d
G11 730d
Who were they? Thinking to refurbish my auto box and looking for some place reliable not too far away from London.
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fixedwheelnut
- E30 Zone Regular
- Posts: 906
- Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: South East London
Dartford Transmissions are pretty good.
Belated update.
Called them up and they wanted 2.2k for the rebuild. I think most places are no longer interested in rebuilding the old ZF boxes as they either don't have the time or the specialist knowledge anymore.
Ultimately found another company, www.borgwarnertransmissionspecialist.com who only specialize in the old ZF/BorgWarner boxes who quoted me 1k with warranty. Planning to send my unit to them.
Called them up and they wanted 2.2k for the rebuild. I think most places are no longer interested in rebuilding the old ZF boxes as they either don't have the time or the specialist knowledge anymore.
Ultimately found another company, www.borgwarnertransmissionspecialist.com who only specialize in the old ZF/BorgWarner boxes who quoted me 1k with warranty. Planning to send my unit to them.
I had my auto box rebuilt by Stephens Engineering in 2006 and it’s working fine all this time. They used to be in Edmonton on the North Circular Road but moved to Ware in Herts. They have been in business since 60s and are good.
Choose auto transmission services that’s on the federation of auto transmission website and you won’t go wrong.
Choose auto transmission services that’s on the federation of auto transmission website and you won’t go wrong.