Trans Program Fault

[whiskychaser]

I have a '92 525i which comes up with with the above fault. Could not trace it so put the car into BMW (twice) to fault find. They say the only fault stored is from a sensor on the turbocharger. As this engine doesnt have one I'm puzzled. Any ideas plse?

[BillionPa]

.... wtf?!

can you give me the code number that they extracted?

[Rigmaster]

Maybe they said "torque converter" and not turbocharger????


More info please.

[mattyb]

jeez. i hope you didnt have to pay them for that information

[whiskychaser]

.... wtf?!

can you give me the code number that they extracted?

Sorry. Dont know the code. I know this gearbox has two speed sensors and the input side is called the turbo sensor. So I asked if they meant that one and they said no! BMW could only suggest I leave it with them overnight so they could do some 'static tests' and then test it again when running. At £120an hour for labour I'm a bit reluctant to let them tinker while the clock runs! I'd like to test the sensors at the ECU end but the Bentleys doesnt have the pin-out for my particular box. Any ideas where I could get the info plse?

[Karl]

When I got the "Trans Program" fault on my '91 525i, the transmission defaulted to high gear. That's the standard reaction to a real transmission problem. In my case the fault cleared with overnight rest, but came back the next day after about half hour of driving. It needed a full rebuild, just over 100K miles.

If yours is still shifting OK, find a competent shop to check the trouble code. You don't need to put up with anyone who tells you it's a turbocharger problem. And if you need a transmission rebuild, see if there's a good independent transmission specialist. The transmission itself is a GM 700R4 that a competent local rebuilder should be able to do for you.

[whiskychaser]

When I got the "Trans Program" fault on my '91 525i, the transmission defaulted to high gear. That's the standard reaction to a real transmission problem. In my case the fault cleared with overnight rest, but came back the next day after about half hour of driving. It needed a full rebuild, just over 100K miles.

If yours is still shifting OK, find a competent shop to check the trouble code. You don't need to put up with anyone who tells you it's a turbocharger problem. And if you need a transmission rebuild, see if there's a good independent transmission specialist. The transmission itself is a GM 700R4 that a competent local rebuilder should be able to do for you.

Thanks for that. My gearbox is a ZF 5HP18. There are lots of different types of this box so just for info the BMW part ends in 071. My old box (an 075) was shot so I changed it for a good used one. I thought the change would sort out the trans prog but it didnt. Incidentally, a recon box costs about £1100 here. I made an error in my previous post: it is of course the turbine sensor and not turbo sensor on the input side of the box:-) Have done quite a bit of research on this box but cant find a diagram for the ECU pins.

[Brazilianbimmer]

Check this link. They sell ZF transmission repair manuals. Those manuals usually include diagnostic information such as pinouts and resistance values. http://www.auto-repair-manuals.com/ZF-Transmission-Manuals.html
Another thing to to try - It sounds like your issue is electrical and not mechanical. (Since you swapped Transmissions and it did not help.)
Swap the Throttle Position Sensor for a known good one and see if that helps. Good Luck!

[whiskychaser]

Check this link. They sell ZF transmission repair manuals. Those manuals usually include diagnostic information such as pinouts and resistance values. http://www.auto-repair-manuals.com/ZF-Transmission-Manuals.html
Another thing to to try - It sounds like your issue is electrical and not mechanical. (Since you swapped Transmissions and it did not help.)
Swap the Throttle Position Sensor for a known good one and see if that helps. Good Luck!

Thanks. Will have a look at the site. I checked the throttle sensor and that seemed to be working OK. I just found a site that lists BMW error codes and pin-outs including the gearbox. Its not for the E34 but covers the 5HP18 gearbox. Believe it or not it lists against error code 16 'Turbocharger Speed Sensor' . For anyone as bemused as me, the link is: http://www.e38.org/e32/bmw%20code%20defaut.pdf :) It does say its an engine speed sensor problem so I think I should be looking at the turbine sensor?

[Brazilianbimmer]

Throttle position sensors can be tricky things. They may test OK when you use an ohm meter but actually be creating a problem. Like I said, if you want to totally eliminate the issue, borrow one from someone and try it in your car.

[whiskychaser]

Throttle position sensors can be tricky things. They may test OK when you use an ohm meter but actually be creating a problem. Like I said, if you want to totally eliminate the issue, borrow one from someone and try it in your car.

Appreciate the advice. Unfortunately its back to work tomorrow so it may be a few days before I can give it a try. But I will come back and post the outcome. Thanks to all for help in meantime :-)

[whiskychaser]

Have decided being back at work is less fun than trying to sort my car :) Noticed an archive thread that mentioned a BMW electronic transmission diagnostic tool by AST 5520. It was on ebay and dead cheap. Tried to google AST but couldnt come up with anything. Anybody have ideas?

[Brazilianbimmer]

When exactly do you get the fault? Do you get it as soon as you start the car? Or does it happen after you begin driving it?

[whiskychaser]

When exactly do you get the fault? Do you get it as soon as you start the car? Or does it happen after you begin driving it?

The fault never comes up immediately you start up. For a while it was after you had driven about 300 yards from cold but that has stopped. I have driven 200 miles without a problem only to slow down for a junction and hear the 'bing'. You cant clear the fault just by stopping. You have to drive at least half a mile, then turn ignition off and on at least twice. I have the speed sensors from my old box and they read 246 and 249 ohms at room temp. I read somewhere they should be about 350ohms but they are so close I doubt they are faulty. So my job tomorrow is check the readings at the ECU end. I think they are pins 16 with 44 and 14 with 42 but stand to be corrected!

[whiskychaser]

Ok. I was going to check the speed sensors at the control module end but I cant find it! Its not in the e-box or above either of the front speakers. Before I rip out the carpet looking for trap doors can anyone help please? :)

[Brazilianbimmer]

In Mine the TCU is behind the passenger side kickpanel speaker. Is that what you meant by Front Speaker?

Also, do you have a Bentley Manual? It has all the Pinouts for every year. Mine is a 92 but the actual Pinout in the TCU is like the 90/91 models.
It should also tell you the location of the TCU. In the back pages near the Index.

[whiskychaser]

In Mine the TCU is behind the passenger side kickpanel speaker. Is that what you meant by Front Speaker?

Also, do you have a Bentley Manual? It has all the Pinouts for every year. Mine is a 92 but the actual Pinout in the TCU is like the 90/91 models.
It should also tell you the location of the TCU. In the back pages near the Index.

My Bentleys says the TCU is in the e-box for both AGS and EGS but it isnt on my car. I find Bentleys is good but probably more accurate for US models -it says my gearbox -the A5S310Z (5HP18) was only fitted to the 530i from 94 to 95. Mine is a February '92 525i. It has 2 speed sensors so its more like the diagram for 94-95 :) From painful experience I know they fitted a different 5HP18 from Sep '92 so thats why I was asking. Having read your message I ripped out the speakers again and found it!! Many thanks for coming back on this :) (Mine is right hand drive but I knew where you meant.) Did you remove yours? If so it would handy to know how as all I can see is the multipin connector at the bottom of the TCU

[Brazilianbimmer]

The TCU is held in place with one or two scews. My indy pulled it out so I do not recall the exact position of the screws. But then the whole thing comes out and dangles from the cable. Now you just unsnap the metal latch on the side where the cable is and the connector should pivot out.

The empty slots in the connector should be a good tell-tale of which year's wiring diagram you should be dealing with on the Bentley manual.

[whiskychaser]

The TCU is held in place with one or two scews. My indy pulled it out so I do not recall the exact position of the screws. But then the whole thing comes out and dangles from the cable. Now you just unsnap the metal latch on the side where the cable is and the connector should pivot out.

The empty slots in the connector should be a good tell-tale of which year's wiring diagram you should be dealing with on the Bentley manual.

Might have to take some of the dash apart to get at the screws but its got to come out so I can read the part number on the case and hopefully the pin numbers in the TCU socket. Let you know the outcome. And thanks again for your help :-)

[Brazilianbimmer]

Good Luck, let me know if you get it running!

[Ross]

The GM trans in BMs is the 4L30E, no relation to the 700R4. It's dubious heritage includes the Chevette.

[whiskychaser]

Update: Just checked the sensors: pins 14 and 42 (which I believe are the output sensor pins) read 240 ohms. Thats ties in with my old ones. Pins 16 and 44 (turbine sensor) read 3.4 MEG ohms!!! On the third time of testing I couldnt even get a steady reading. Therefore I am pretty sure its a duff sensor but before I drop the bottom out of the box I'm going to check the wiring to the box and the resistance at the box pins. Dont have access to a ramp at mom but will sort it. Any advice?