Auto box problem

[German-Whips]

I've got a 318i auto and recently noticed a bit of a difference in the gear box.

A few days ago the car started to feel bit sluggish and heavy when in drive and doesn't feel as light as it used to feel.
It feels as if the pedal is stiffer and needs further travel than normal to pick up speed, as if the brakes are applied whilst driving.

But when I select 3 from the shifter it seems perfectly fine and normal, how it used to feel when I bought it.

There's nothing wrong with the pedal, no stuck carpets, and the handbrake isn't applied either just in case someone asks.

What can this be?

Thanks

[Alex]

is the kickdown working?

If you floor it will it redline or change gear early ?

[German-Whips]

is the kickdown working?

If you floor it will it redline or change gear early ?

Yes the kickdown is working from what I gather, revs up to redline when floored and changes down a gear when in a high gear to pick up speed. Is that how it should operate right?


It's during normal driving where it's started feeling sluggish and really heavy and slow as if it's being held back by the handbrake, but is fine when selected in 3.

[maggspower]

First thing to do is check the ATF in the box. See if you have the right amount, there is a sequence to do this check it, but I believe it is; get the car warm, park on level ground, starting in park select each gear pausing for a few seconds, then back into park, then with the engine still running dip the oil. But check this is correct first.

You need to look for discolored oil too it should be a clear red in colour, not manky brown.

Next would be the gearbox filter.......and so on. But check the above first, and see how you get on.

[German-Whips]

I'll take a look and let you know how I get on.

Also I've noticed when I first got it I couldn't hear anything when shifting from 1st to 2nd but now I can feel a slight surge and a slight turbo-like whine during the shifting. No noise during 2nd to 3rd though.....

[German-Whips]

UPDATE

I checked the auto box fluid condition and level. It was topped up, no sediments or anything. The colour was a light red-ish colour, slighty see through.

I noticed that it doesn't always feel like its being held back by something, only sometimes.
There is a slight feint whine but is that common for an automatic box to make a feint whining sound in first gear?


Also, I've been getting really bad MPG lately. £20 gives me around 70 miles worth of motoring. But that is all start stop in traffic.


Whats the problem?

[German-Whips]

BUMP

Could it be the brakes binding as they're in need of changing now the red lights coming up when pressing the pedal?

[maggspower]

Hi there, I dont think it will be the brakes binding as you would have other symptoms, the light only warns of low pads. It sounds like a problem with the box, your next line of fire will be to change the filter in the box, the fluid may well be clean but the filter may be blocked causing the issues you have.

If this does not solve the problems, you will then have to look deeper into things, namley the torque converter, and then the box.

Good luck

[TPS]

Did this get sorted?