325i Auto shifts hard into 1st

[wendling]

My 2004 325i automatic will sometimes shift hard into 1st gear. This is mostly noticable under light breaking to a stop. I assume it is the shifting, but the symptom is a clunk in the rear just before the car comes to a stop.

I followed a few searchs to this problem in what must be the old E46 messageboard, but they seem to be dead links at this time.

Any help would be great.

[wendling]

Again E46fanatics provides an answer in 5 minutes. Much better site in my view.


That is the infamous "Steptronic clunk" and they will update the transmission software so it doesn't happen. There are 3 TSB's for this, depending on production date and car model:

TSB 24 02 03 (http://www.tmk.com/transient/si240203.pdf)

TSB 24 03 03 (http://www.tmk.com/transient/si240303.pdf)

TSB 24 04 03 (http://www.tmk.com/transient/si240403.pdf)