E30 Zone

hi, i have just bought a 325i se f reg auto, i hope someone can help. i was driving to work and as i put my foot on the throttle there was no accelleration,like the clutch was not working. i was rolling along pressing the pedal on and off to make it come back on which it eventually did. can someone give me some advice pls. thank you

Have you checked your auto fluid,might need a complete fluid and filter change.

thanks for your help, no afraid not, im an amatuer with these things. i have ordered the bentleys manual to help me with probs like this. in the meantime i will take it to garage but it helps if i have an idea before i go in so i dont get ripped. i forgot to mention that when i was pressing the throttle the car was revving but no forward motion. is this a common fault with an obvious solution?.

ok, i changed the oil and filter and intermmitant problem has gone. problem now is i buggered the screw on sump so its not tight, not the 4 corner screws, one of the middle ones. there is no leakage of atf. now i have to warm the car to change up the gears. would this cause that problem with lack of pressure?. help is much appreciated.

have you checked the fluid level on the box when the car is warm and running?

yeh but i find it difficult to tell as the fluid always seems clear. when i changed the fluid i put in the 3 litres it says to use to be sure that it was enough. i will check again though as you say. cheers

i checked it, i had just driven it 5/10 mins earlier and let it idle for 15. it was just over the top mark. to much do you think?.

was the car running at the time?

yeh. i did it in rev with handbrake and park.

take the car for a good run for like 30 mins, then when parked on a flat and level surface cycle through all the gear selections with the handbrake on and car running, P D N R 3 2 1. put the car in P turn engine off and then check the level on the dipstick using a clean cloth so you can see where the level is indicated

ok will do cheers

ok, drove it on A roads 60-70 for 15 mins then stop start around town 15 mins. temp on gauge was between 1/4-1/2, checked the level, it was over top ball of high level. probably around 200-300ml over the high mark according to bentleys. i will take some out later when cooled down and check in morning. cheers for help

just got a quote for a spare box £135 for this model just in case this ones buggered. how manys hours would it take to mechanic to change, it will help me work out how much my guy will charge. thanks

Is this a sports switchable autobox that you have ( S,E,321 ) ? If so, the autobox ECU may be at fault.

yeh it is, i did take out the ecu and had a look. looked clean, no mould or whatever. i see where your going though
maybe i should try that too, try and get a working one and check. cheers
when i put it in reverse earlier, i could hear slurping from the box. i took 200ml of fluid out when checking levels earlier and the slurping stopped, still didnt change whilst cold when i took it around the block though, but i want to check the levels when proper warm again just in case they are still a little high.

i havent checked the ecu yet im still trying to get hold of one, i spoke to an auto specialist and he says the torque convertor has gone which is why the loss of forward motion and that gunk has got into the governor which is making it malfunction and not change gears when cold. £1200 to reconditon does this sound like a good diagnosis, if so what can a mere mortal like me do. i can get a used one for £135 according to a spare part website, i bought it under warranty but its 100 miles away and he needs it for a few days. any suggestions welcome

quick question, if i buy a used gear box will i need the ecu thats with it if it isnt the same as mine. cheers

danman2k wrote:quick question, if i buy a used gear box will i need the ecu thats with it if it isnt the same as mine. cheers

I think you should be fine with your own autobox ecu, as the other one should be the same if it's a switchable sports box that your putting in. If you have access to check the ecu number from the car your getting the autobox from, then all the better.

cheers your a star its coming from a h reg 325i and mines f so was not sure, i have told them to let me know the ecu number in case it wont or i will send it back kind of thing. they couldnt find it so will wait until tommorow. i dont think they understood my question about switchable and 4 speed. could they possibly have a 3 speed and how could i know? mine has 123dnrp and i think thats a 4 speed(my 1st auto car ), what would a 3 speed have? just 12dnrp i assume but im just guessing. help is most appreciated

had the ecu checked before the new box went in and it was ok, had the box changed and it feels tens times better. i was told i had no fouth gear hopefuly i should gain some more miles from the tank thanks