My new (to me) 530i, and trans program

[splower]

Well,

After getting my old 525i through its MOT it decided to overheat and crack the cylinder head. So I sold it and picked up a 1995 530i, and I love it!!!!

Its strange driving a V8 after 2 years with a I6, but so much quicker and quieter.

When it went to look at it I asked about nikasil, and it turns out the engine was replaced 20,000 miles ago to sort that out. I checked everything else that I knew could be an issue and it all seems cool. Even my mechanic said how good a condition its in.

I'm going to post some photos later.


However (there had to be a but) it comes up with trans-program when you put the key in. This is before you even start the engine. The 'AP' light on the dash goes out too.
It doesnt go into limp mode though, it changes gear perfectly, the A/S switch works and there's no slip,hesitation or dropping out of gears.

The only thing I have noticed it doing, is when it kicks down (ie to overtake on a motorway) it will stick in 4th gear, and not change back up until I put the selector into 4 then D.

After getting the indie to pull the codes at my inspection II, he advised me that it was coming up with "SHIFT LOCK VALVE", he's not a tranny specialist though and said I should go to someone with more knowledge or just live with it. My local gearbox shop says it'll cost £1300 for a rebuild!!!

Is this what I need or is it more likely to be a stuck solenoid/valve somewhere. I've searched through the forums and not found anyone else with symptoms like this. Had this been the old 525i I wouldnt have bothered, but since this one is such good shape I'd like to get it sorted.

Cheers guys!
-Simon

[Elekta]

maybe reboot everything....obc, tranny computer etal?

has the fluid been changed ever?

valve body replacement?

speed sensor (do archive search with these words)

good luck and let us know

[BillionPa]

HAHAHAHAH
.....
im sorry, i threw that code intentionally by removing power to the gearshift interlock solenoid to i could put it into drive from neutral without putting my foot on the brakes, sounds like the same thing.

either the power cable (single wire) is disconnected or the solenoid is shot.

i believe the part # is 25161218438 and its about $85 USD

that part is the reason the gearshift lever shaft will get severely hot if you let the car idle, since its metal and conducts heat from the solenoid.

also im assuming his "shift lock valve" code is EGS code 02, which it sounds like it is. try shifting to drive from part with your foot off the brake... that will see for sure.

[splower]

Cheers for the replies guys,

Yeah, according to the service history and receipts which came with it, the fluid/filter has been changed roughly every 30,000 miles. I know the garage I take it to do this on every inspection 2 aswell.

Sure enough, i've just taken it out of park without my foot on the brake pedal. Is the solenoid under the gear lever, or somewhere inside the gearbox? Is it quite easy to get at?

I'll let you all know how it goes, and try and get some photos up soon.

cheers
-Simon

[Omega]

Simon. Sounds like a sweet car. What did you give for it? I'm thinking of chopping my 525 in for a newer model e34 so appreciate your comments about the v8.

530iTouring. Sweet 3.0Csi you have there. Very, very, very nice. Has to be one of my favourite shapes.

[splower]

Hi Omega,

I paid £2,100 for it, that was after haggling over the trans program issue, but I decided to take the risk after test driving it, and finding the tranny shifted nicely. Overall, coming from a 1992 E34, it feels much more modern and 'tight' , probably since the last one I had was neglected a bit by its PO.

I love the V8, I know what people mean when they say it feels heavier. When you give it some gas it feels like the engine has to build up momentum (not sure how to describe it). Feels like the power is being given to you more smoothly, not in one go as on the M50. Definately a quicker and quieter car than the 525.

The bit I'm still getting used to is the adaptive gearbox, it seems to change its mind as to when its going to shift, like it traffic when it starts in 2nd when you pull away. Getting to like it though. Sports mode is great, the sound it makes it brilliant!! I would have got a 540 instead, but insurance for a 23 year old who works in tv is a joke over here.

The fuel consumption is pretty good for a 3 litre, as long as you're not heavy footed. When I had inspection 2 I paid £240 for it, which isnt so bad (only because the only additional thing I had to pay for was the intensive wash pump).

So far, great car!!, even better when it stops bonging at me at starting up. Can't wait to take it on holiday to Germany later this year :)

Cheers
-Simon

[632 Regal]

it is under the gear lever area in the center consule. it would be cool to open that up and see a loose wire though!

[saj3n]

Congrats on the car! Hope you get things worked out. I wish I bought mine in the same shape you got yours in. Very nice!

[splower]

I finally got the time to take the wooden panel off and take a look under the gear selector and cant seem to find the shift lock solenoid.

I know the previous owner had to change the cable and that would explain the labels on the various plugs. Did UK spec E34s come with the solenoid?

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l67/simonpaullower/DSCF0277_labelled.jpg

based on what I saw on realOEM I'm assuming that the holes marked A are where it screws in.
Does anyone know what the plug marked B is for?

When I looked on realOEM it showed me two versions, one with and one without. I'm off down to the stealer to see what they say in the part dept.

Any help would be appreciated

cheers again guys
-Simon

[splower]

Just got back from the stealer, and the guy told me that UK models didnt have the solenoid to lock the gear selector.

So driving back, and all of a sudden, during gear changes, the engine would rev and seem to slam back into gear. So have just got a diagnostic done at a local specialist and had the follow code:

02 - shift lock solenoid.

The guy in the garage says that its likely a solenoid inside the gearbox and he's going to see if it can be changed, if not I'm looking at a gearbox rebuild. Seems odd that this happens now, after a while of having trans program. Would a new filter help the dodgy shifts?

-Simon

[BillionPa]

well, EGS code 2 is definately the shifter interlock solenoid, so the next logical assumption is that there is a US/Japan spec EGS software in your trans computer, or the thing is borked.....

OR the shift interlock solenoid is somewhere else, which i doubt because it wouldnt do much good unless it STOPS the gear lever from moving......

keeping that in mind, wtf is this:
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HE21&mospid=47381&btnr=25_0325&hg=25&fg=95

[splower]

I know this thread has been dead for a while now, but this is what happened in the end;

I went away on holiday and completely forgot about the car. When I got home I took it out for a drive, and the gearbox had turned into crap. It was reving and slipping during gearchanges, dropping in and out of reverse. In the end I drove straight down to the garage and he dropped the trans pan. The liquid was black had bits of metal in it and stank like sh*t.

Two days later, and he had replaced the gearbox with a remanufactured one and I couldnt be happier. It turns out that the previous owner had done topped the trans fluid up (for some reason unknown to me) and used cheapo stuff from the petrol station.....
TRANSPROGRAM doesnt pop up any more...


Heres some pics of her now shes happier. Could do with a clean really....

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l67/simonpaullower/DSCF0293.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l67/simonpaullower/DSCF0286.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l67/simonpaullower/DSCF0283.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l67/simonpaullower/DSCF0296.jpg

Once again, cheers for all the help from the guys who posted replies
-Simon