Transmission

[amiranda12]

Hello - I am new to this forum.

BMW '94, 325IS, auto. 6 cylinder.

I bought the beamer used in '96 ~ 30k miles. Now I have 118k and I don't think I have service my transmission. When i say I don't think I have serviced it, it is beacuse I have no idea if the dealer service center did it the last time i took it to the dealer in '99.

My transmission light on the dashboard has come on and I am trying to figure out if I have a serious problem or i just need to change trans fluid and filter screen. Any one had this signal light on before with a resolution? I don't have any computer signal reading, but did look at the fluid and it does need replacing.

Thanks

[jamin325i]

call likely dealer who has worked on your car.
they have records and usually service manager will help a nice request and tell you work previously done at their dealership.

inspection 2's include auto trans. fluid changes which drops about 3 quarts from the drain of the total +/_ 7 quarts in the tranny system.
inspections 2's occur about every 35k miles.
good luck

[amiranda12]

Thanks,

if this is the case - partial fluid change, not complete transmision services - then when does a complete transmission service occurs for a non-sealed trans like the '94 BMW 321 is? And my question is, what can the transmission light on the dashboard mean? clogged screen? dirty fluid needing trans service, bad transmission!!!? that is what i am looking for? I will be taking it to the mechanic next week and I don't want to cause additional damage.

thanks

[Jeron]

Check you manual for a description of the warning light. I don't have mine handy, but I could check at lunch.

My guess is the light activated by fluid level or pressure sensor. The first thing I would do is check the fluid level. Make sure to follow the proper procedure for checking the fluid level.

[jamin325i]

do not beleive any specific recommendation on interval to change all fluid and the auto trans. filter. and i have read three manuals; the owner, bentleys and haynes.
since these gm trannies apparently are not bullet proof and i plan to drive car a long time i just changed all the fluid w/filter my first time at 75k miles-inspection 2 not done by dealer but by myself-using mobil 1 syntethic atf for dexron 3. earlier quick drain/refill was performed about earlier insp.2. inside the big sump is a magnet which had about a tablespoon of gray matter clinging to it, i guess too small to be trapped in the filter which is a metal shell filled with a cloth mesh.

the dash light i beleive you mean is the indicator light for transmission control module with exclamation mark. the owner manual says it indicates electronic module failure or transmission failure. i would have expected with the light that you would only be able to drive in 3rd gear or limp home mode. apparently not your problem or you would have mentioned.
if you tranny had been shifting properly i would expect an electrical problem. neverthe less, pulling the main sump and looking big debris and changing filter is likely a normal troubleshooting procedure.
i have read threads on other web sites on bimmer electronic tran. problems. do a web search on bmw auto transmission problem and transmission control module.
i would begin by seeing unofficialbmw.com help solutions, faq, etc.
good luck

[amiranda12]

Thank you both very much.

For your information, I checked the fluid level - fine - and the texture and color of trans fluid - it does need to be changed. I will have a BMW specialist shop service trans per the transmission service procedure - though simple, you do need to jack up the car. For some reason, my car is running fine. The trans light is not on all the time. When I start the car, it comes on say 10 minutes from when i start my car every time. At this point, the trans locks per the manual info, on gear 4. I can drive it around no problem (I don't have the torque from stop and go i need to speed up quickly).

My reason for asking is I don't want to cause any additional damage to trans. I will check on unofficialbmw.com

[amiranda12]

Hello Again - Could this be my problem:

BMW Trans -
An occasional problem on this vehicle is failure of the Transmission Control Module (TCM) EPROM.The cost to repair the TCM EPROM is estimated at $20.00 for parts and $26.00 for labor.All prices are estimates based on $65 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax.

Has anyone done this procedure?

[Jeron]

Sure it could, but I don't know how to test for this problem. It's probably easy to replace, you might consider spending the $20 and DIY before going to a mechanic.