E39 535I Gearbox issues

[bmw9818]

Got a 98 535i which we have had from new, the auto gearbox has recently been playing up,

the icons DRNP etc go faint and the car becomes limp essentially,

you have to put your foot down to move anywhere,

Its only done 104k this something an oil/filter change would sort?

[Brianmoooore]

Although I drive an E39, I've not had occasion to get involved with this part of the car yet, but the DRNP LEDs are just indicators switched by the selector switch via the ECU and some basic circuitry.
If they are going dim, the first thing I'd be doing is pulling all relevant connectors apart and looking for corrosion or other forms of poor connection, right back as far as the battery.
Has to be an electrical (as opposed to electronic) fault, and I'd be very surprised if an oil and filter change would help, unless the problem area was accidentally disturbed while doing the change.

[DanThe]

On a separate note its worth changing the box oil/filter if its never been done before

[bmw9818]

Gearbox has decided to completely pack up now, not biting at all

[Brianmoooore]

Gearbox has decided to completely pack up now, not biting at all

That's good! That makes it much easier to find the fault.
When chasing intermittent faults you're never quite sure if what you just moved cured the fault, or it just decided to sort itself on its own.

There is an ECM main relay that provides power to the system, and this is where I would start.

[pacerpete]

Harrow !

[anothere21323i]

Harrow !

[Andyboy]

Sorry, by the time it's slipping or lost drive, the time for oil changes and software stuff has long gone.

[bmw9818]

Its back to life again! its driving took it to someone the moment it engaged...

first thing in the morning it didn't engage at all then after a while i tried it again in the afternoon and it was back again..

[bmw9818]

Got a diagnosis back some sort of electro static plate inside the gearbox has gone £1800......

[Andyboy]

In technical parlance: it's shagged mate.

But, yiou can pick up a used box for £3-400, new oil seals and oil and off you go again.

[pacerpete]

HARROW !

[TPS]

Long time

[bmw9818]

it defo aint a scrapper at 104k, weve had it since new essentially when I was 8 years old! so probably get it sorted...