Auto gearbox........mind of its own!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[manu]

Hi guys

Posted this last week as well

The gearbox on my 1989 320i touring has a mind of its own!!

When i start it from cold and move off in 'drive', it doesnt change gear ie. go to 2nd, 3rd and 4th. It just sits in first.

I have to switch off the car, go through the gears, start the car up and let the gearbox warm up for about 2 minutes and then i can drive off. The gearbox is smooth and feels tight for the rest of the day.WTF is going on?????????

It only does this in the mornings and when it does happen, the 'CHECK' light comes on in the dash.......could this indicate an electrical fault with a gearbox sensor or something else along those lines.

I know it can't be anything major with the gearbox otherwise this would happen constantly.

The pick up is good and i have had the gearbox oil, filter and sump pan gasket changed this weekend..............so can anyone advise....

MANU

[MONSPORT42]

Don't like to see Zoners asking questions and getting little or no response! I have a Sport auto and owned a 323i auto for 16 years. In my experience there's very little you can do with an auto box. If the fluid is checked and changed regularly, the non-switchable ones go on for years and years. It sounds as if the ATF is not getting round the box until its more fluid/warmed up, which may mean it was neglected in the past and is full of gunge (tech term!). So changing the fluid once may not be enough. You could try running it for a few more miles and then change it again. The fluid should always be bright red and see-through. If yours is brown and muddy looking then you may need to change it few times to get it working properly. Having said all that, it would probably be worth getting it checked out by an autobox specialist. They may be able to do some kind of service without having to go for an exchange box.
My switchable box started playing up and I bought a second hand one off the zone. Went miles to pick it up and paid to have it fitted but it only lasted about 6 months and that one went completely - no drive at all. So I've just paid out for a rebuild and cost of fitting again. But it's great now.

[manu]

Thanks for responding.........

I'll change the oil again after a few weeks and see if it improves.
Is there any additve that i can add to the ATF which will lubricate the internal parts even more and make it smoother.

The problem is quite minor and i can live with it unless it gradually gates worse.

Any idea why the chech light comes on when this happens

manu

[MONSPORT42]

Hi Manu,
I was told of an additive, can't for life of me remember the name but I have seen it advertised in the car mags from time to time (engine additive in the same ad) but I think I've seen something in Halfords that does the same thing. Again alongside the engine and fuel additives shelf.
As far as the check light is concerned, the only experience I had was on my old one which kept coming on (and putting the car into limp home, 3rd gear, mode) when I revved too much. Could that be happening if you are in First gear only when you first start it up? I really can't remember too much about the electrics on my old box. My current one has its own ECU in the boot but I don't think the non-switchables do. If you have it might be worth checking the connectors to that.

[amit325i]

two things, check quality and level of fluid! should be pink and not anything else

your symptoms are of low oil and or dirty filter screen.

best to get it serviced which involves, new filter, and sump gasket, drive shaft gasket, filler tube gasket, and anyother i might have forgotten.

If your oil pump in your gearbox gets starved of oil, it will seize and therefore you will not get drive in one or other gears etc, best to take premptive action.

[Bharat]

Manu, there is a reputable Auto gearbox specialist on the A406 in N. London (just off the Palmer's Green bit).

They're called Stephen's Engineering - 0208 889 8181

Alternatively, if you want to get it looked at by an honest BMW specialist, AND are willing to travel, I would recommend E-Tech Motorsport down in Havant, Portsmouth (Justin - 02392 478 300 / 07890 723 271) - he sorted out my auto gearbox, and it worked superbly, smoooooth !

[manu]

Thanks for the response guys.

I have changed the oil, filter and sump pan gasket. Iwill run it for 500-600 miles and see how i get on. I called a few specialists today and 2 of them suggested that i add WYNN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TREATMENT from halfords.......they have used this in many gearboxes and swear by it. Then after 500-600 miles, i'll drain the oil and refill it with new oil and more of this treatment. Has anyone used this or something similar.......such a shame. The car is an absolute minter with black leather and aircon (which actually works!). There is not a spot of rust on the bodywork and the carpets look brand new........

I'll post some pics up for you guys on the weekend

MANU

[Andy_magic]

That Wynnes stuff has something in it that makes rubber more flexible, the are loads of seals etc in an auto box, sorting lots of little leaks through weeping seals will do wonders for an autos feel.

The oil pickup screen should be cleaned/replaced every 4 years or so as they filter out crap from the oil, trouble is they can block up causing porblems when cold.

When it does start shifting OK is there any delay between gears, does the car rev up a little betwen them?

Are the auto boxes electronically controlled, if so check all the wires etc, I suspect that your problem is probably pressure related though.

[manu]

andy, i dont know if the gearbox has any electrics. A mate of mine is a technician at bmw altwood and will take the car in to have it scanned for electric faults............may have something to do with the check light on the dash.

When the gears do start changing, the gearbox runs like a dream........the car does not rev up between them.

If it is a pressure related problem, i'll try this wynn additive and see if it improves, if not i may need another gearbox later on.

As it only happens in the mornings, i can live with it for a while...........

I'll check to see if there are any electrics on the gearbox and if any are loose etc, i'll clean the connections and plug them back in

Lastly, can anyone tell me if a 325i (non switchable) box will fit straight on or will i need to source a 320i box

Thanks again guys, you've been a great help

Manu

[Andy_magic]

I just found this on the web. I wouldn't take too much notice of the 'replace the gearbox' bit, my old man has dealt with Ashcroft quite alot as he's always converting Landrovers to auto and knows makes heaps of cash from re-con boxes.

Sort it yourself cheaply, then if your not happy source a good used one.

I would have thought going to a switchable wouldn't be much grief as long as you get all the bits

http://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk ... ory_3.html

[manu]

thanks andy, i'll try the cheaper option first and see how i get on.

How difficult is it to take the governor out ,clean it thoroughly and fit back?

Anyone got any ideas?

manu