Trans Program = $9000 (what!!!)

[J-SPEC BMW]

I know the "TRANS PROGRAM" is a pretty popular subject, and has been discussed plenty on this board. I need some guidance. I bought a 1993 525i J-SPEC with roughly 50K Miles about 5 months ago in Japan. It is a very clean car and was babied before I bought it. I am now in Turkey and this car has not even coughed, once. I do my own maintenance - oil service, coolant flush, sparkpluggs, etc.

Last week I encountered the infamous "TRANS PROGRAM". At first I got the error once a day; I could shut the car off and re-start and it would be fine. Eventually is began to happen more often, but it wasn't too bad because it would flash "TRANS PROGRAM" and instead of saving itself and going into 3rd gear like most people have experienced, the alert would go off and my car drove perfectly.

Now, I began to notice when the car would up-shift it started to wait for a higher RPM. It kept getting higher and higher. This would only occur from 1st to 2nd most frequently. I had a feeling it was the "pulse generator" in the tranny as I did all the suggested methods (Such as cleaning electrical connections in shift-selector, battery check, car computer, etc.). It was happening so randomly that I couldn't believe it was a direct mechanical problem. Eventually it got up to 7000RPM's before it up-shifted and I can't drive it anymore.

I decided, since I am new in Turkey and just wanted to get this fixed quickly I would bring it to the BMW Service Center here. I drove it there, gave them the play-by-play of what I was experiencing and told them what I believed it was. They laughed at me (There was only one english-speaking person there so she was translating what I said to their mechanic). She said it would be about 2 hours so they could run some tests. I waited and waited and waited. About 4 hours later they were done, she said that it wasn't the pulse generator, but that the gear-box would have to be replaced and it would cost 7000 EUROS or about $9000.

Now, I bought this car for $5000. I am really not that stupid. I do need some help though. That shop is the only place I can really bring my car to get serviced in Turkey. I am here for another 2 years. I did find a webpage - www.phoenixhardparts.com (They offer remanufactured transmissions). I can replace my whole transmission and buy a remanufactured one from them for about $1500. I can also try to replace the "pulse generator" myself. I am really stuck here. That car is my only transportation. I just bought it and I can't see it go to waste. Any help is solving my problem would be greatly appreciated. I know this post has been long and detailed, but thank you for reading this far. I attached a picture of the car just so you all can see her.

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=798&stc=1

[shogun]

That is a nonsens. Write to BMW AG Germany or find out the headoffice of this company or BMW Turkey. A complete trans costs in Germany about 2.500$ for an E32 and you get one for max. 1000 US $ with 1 year guarantee from the used market. That in case that it would be really a trans problem.
Check out and find ZF offices in Turkey. Best is you contact BMW main dealer directly.
If you cannot find anything in Turkey, buy from outside Turkey and still it is cheaper.
Even if you take for one month a bus or a rental car, it will be cheaper.
Take the car back and talk with you friends and check what is possible. Then bring it to a reputed company.
There are very good mechanics in Turkey. And a lot of BMW which are imported from Germany mainly. It does not matter if the trans is German or Japanese specification.
Here a link
http://www.sachs.com.mx/owx_4_29748_2_9_0_ceb5549060d2fc.html

[WarrenBrown]

I have to agree, 9K is way out of line. Shogun has a lot of good ideas, the only thing I can add is the transmission in a 525i is a GM A4S310R not a ZF like the 535 and E32.
Good Luck

Warren
91 318is
95 525iT

[shogun]

I am not sure what the gear type is really. Just selected a 10/93 European version 525iA and the follwoing gears pop up.
You can try with your VIN to find the right one.
click here for the trans types (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?model=HD61&mospid=47375&prod=19931000&hg=24&fg=05)

The price of 7.000 EURO is rediculous.
That would be converted to todays rate 9.126 US $. Remember this page for conversions.
click here (http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic)

Or is it just a miscalculaion EURO/US $ ?
Or misinterpretation?
Usually Turkish people have a good skill. And their prices are much cheaper than western Europe. So many people drive their cars to there to make holiday and repair the car.
Check that out once again and if possible use an interpreter who understands the material you are talking about and you can trust.

[Bill R.]

zf or a jatco on the japan market cars, not the strassbourg turbohydramatic like the US cars.







of good ideas, the only thing I can add is the transmission in a 525i is a GM A4S310R not a ZF like the 535 and E32.
Good Luck

Warren
91 318is
95 525iT[/QUOTE]

[liquidtiger720]

9k!? are you serious. I thought I was getting jipped rebuiling mine for 2400.

Sorry to hijack, but bill, does that tranmission code refer to the 95 525i or are you taking about the japanese ones?

[RayC.]

I know the "TRANS PROGRAM" is a pretty popular subject, and has been discussed plenty on this board. I need some guidance. I bought a 1993 525i J-SPEC with roughly 50K Miles about 5 months ago in Japan. It is a very clean car and was babied before I bought it. I am now in Turkey and this car has not even coughed, once. I do my own maintenance - oil service, coolant flush, sparkpluggs, etc.

Last week I encountered the infamous "TRANS PROGRAM". At first I got the error once a day; I could shut the car off and re-start and it would be fine. Eventually is began to happen more often, but it wasn't too bad because it would flash "TRANS PROGRAM" and instead of saving itself and going into 3rd gear like most people have experienced, the alert would go off and my car drove perfectly.

Now, I began to notice when the car would up-shift it started to wait for a higher RPM. It kept getting higher and higher. This would only occur from 1st to 2nd most frequently. I had a feeling it was the "pulse generator" in the tranny as I did all the suggested methods (Such as cleaning electrical connections in shift-selector, battery check, car computer, etc.). It was happening so randomly that I couldn't believe it was a direct mechanical problem. Eventually it got up to 7000RPM's before it up-shifted and I can't drive it anymore.

I decided, since I am new in Turkey and just wanted to get this fixed quickly I would bring it to the BMW Service Center here. I drove it there, gave them the play-by-play of what I was experiencing and told them what I believed it was. They laughed at me (There was only one english-speaking person there so she was translating what I said to their mechanic). She said it would be about 2 hours so they could run some tests. I waited and waited and waited. About 4 hours later they were done, she said that it wasn't the pulse generator, but that the gear-box would have to be replaced and it would cost 7000 EUROS or about $9000.

Now, I bought this car for $5000. I am really not that stupid. I do need some help though. That shop is the only place I can really bring my car to get serviced in Turkey. I am here for another 2 years. I did find a webpage - www.phoenixhardparts.com (They offer remanufactured transmissions). I can replace my whole transmission and buy a remanufactured one from them for about $1500. I can also try to replace the "pulse generator" myself. I am really stuck here. That car is my only transportation. I just bought it and I can't see it go to waste. Any help is solving my problem would be greatly appreciated. I know this post has been long and detailed, but thank you for reading this far. I attached a picture of the car just so you all can see her.

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=798&stc=1


I had a similar trans prog problem and after much reseach and trial and error (speed sensor, etc.) I eventually changed the tranny 1-2 & 2-3 solenoids and the problem has gone away. Originally I had the problem diagnosed at a dealer and they also told me I needed a new tranny. It seems that the dealers are trained to tell everyone to just get a new tranny instead of fixing the problem.

Good luck

-Ray
I have a '94 525ia (4L30e)

[Javier]

unless it is the speed sensor in which case they replace the harness.


the dealers are trained to tell everyone to just get a new tranny

[J-SPEC BMW]

I just wanted to tell everyone thanks for the advice and help. Right now I am in contact with the BMW Service Center in Ankara, Turkey. That was the closest and only BMW Service Center I could find. I am trying to get a paper copy of their estimate. In the mean time I ordered a replacement "pulse generator" and the Bentley Repair Manual. I am going to first try to replace the pulse generator. Then I will try to replace the 1-2 & 2-3 solenoids. Can anyone give me some more details on the location and procedure for replacing the solenoids? I would really appreciate it. I know the Bentley manual will help me out greatly, but I don't expect that for another 3 weeks. Again, I appreciate everyone's advice. Thank you, Kyle Ward.

[shogun]

The speed sensor sits on the differential. Use my website as much as possible. There are many links to other repair sites. For example how to replace the speed sensor is shown on Bruno's website. There is a link to his site too.
There are also online wiring diagrams, and also a link to europeantransmissions website.

I think it is in general for the car service/dealers that they recommend to change transmissions instead of repairing it.
If you have problems to allocate used parts, remember this address from the U.K.
The owner Rob Nicol is helping the guys on the U,K, board very good. I also bought parts from him. Reliable and good prices and he could also help you out at the phone.
http://www.bavarianautoparts.co.uk/main.htm

If you would really need a japanese trans which you could not get in Turkey: then let me know. I would try some contacts here in or around Tokyo.
If you still have some friends in Japan from the U.S. forces, maybe it is easier for them to transport it.
They should watch Yahoo Japan for such items for E34, here is the link to the auctions with 46 pages on parts for offer.
http://search.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/search?sb=desc&desc=BMW+E34&auccat=0&acc=jp&apg=1&f=0x92&o1=a&alocale=0jp&mode=2

[shogun]

Forgot something. Whatever trans you have inside, if there is a serious repair, go to them directly. In Germany for example ZF charges for a E32 gear about 2.300 EURO while BMW charges for the same gear 2.800.
And ZF repairs the gears also cheaper, as BMW just sends to them for repair and they do actually the job and BMW marks up their %.
You can ask here for local services in Turkey
http://www.jatco.co.jp/E_JATCO/TOP_E.HTM
http://www.zf.com/defaultz.asp
As for GM maybe you try to get addresses on the net.
Usually there is a list of local branches worldwide.

[J-SPEC BMW]

Hi everyone, I went ahead and talked to BMW Ankara again to verify the 7000 EURO esitmate they gave me to fix my car. Today I received a fax from them which I attached. As you can see the actual total is 8,854.19 EUROS. As everyone has already informed me this is outrageous. If anyone has the capability I would appreciate any information with regards to the following - the part number they listed is 24 00 1 219 721. I believe this number corresponds with a replacement of the transmission. If anyone can get me published prices for the above mentioned part number I would appreciate it greatly. Again, I thank everyone for their help. Kyle Ward.

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=826&stc=1

[Paul in NZ]

that part numbers take you to a diagram with the part number shown in the window within the diagram,but i think perhaps your japanese spec car should use this one...the online etk gives prices

here (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?model=HD62&mospid=47375&prod=19930600&hg=24&fg=05)


http://www.bimmer.info/bmw/kiwi535/trans.gif

[pundit]

...the gear-box would have to be replaced and it would cost 7000 EUROS or about $9000...
My brother in-law's 1997 Audi A8 began developing a noise from the transmission. Kind of a 'whine' according to him. So he took it to the stealer for a diagnosis. They told him the transmission needed to be replaced. How much you ask? Well... HOW MUCH??!! Oh only $26,000.00 (AUD). Yes you read it correctly... "Twenty Six Thousand Dollars" , or about $16,000 Euros. THAT's HOW MUCH!!! He left the Audi stealer went straight to a Mercedes dealer and traded in on a Merc the same day. These arseholes need to have a new one torn.

[Beemr750]

Hi everyone, I went ahead and talked to BMW Ankara again to verify the 7000 EURO esitmate they gave me to fix my car. Today I received a fax from them which I attached. As you can see the actual total is 8,854.19 EUROS. As everyone has already informed me this is outrageous. If anyone has the capability I would appreciate any information with regards to the following - the part number they listed is 24 00 1 219 721. I believe this number corresponds with a replacement of the transmission. If anyone can get me published prices for the above mentioned part number I would appreciate it greatly. Again, I thank everyone for their help. Kyle Ward.

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=826&stc=1


Someone mentioned the speedsensor in the rear axle.If the speedsensor is deffective it would also effect the speedo,cruise etc.

You could get a rebuild one anywhere in the world even shipped for at least halve the price if needed. You should be able to find a A/T repairshop which handle ZF's close by who can rebuilt it or even exchange it for you.ZF's are the most popular A/T's in Europe, maybe try the ZF website for more information.

[shogun]

There is probably a lot of import duty on these gears too.
But I think the best is you use the above links to ZF and find the closest repair shop of ZF.

[wec5]

Let me include my $0.02 on this subject. Actually, 2 subjects.

First -- DO NOT BUY THE JUNK FROM PHOENIX HARD PARTS!!!! Horrible stuff, lousy service. CHEAP price but even CHEAPER trannys. After having the Phoenix tranny yanked from my 1994 540i, I'm still waiting for my refund. There's a whole section on them at RipoffReport.com.

Second -- check the connectors. I had the Trans Program light on mine, and after plenty of other looks, codes pulled and head-and-heartache, it turned out that a connector was loose. $20 part. Sure, it might be something else, but that's what finally did it for me.

Now, I bought this car for $5000. I am really not that stupid. I do need some help though. That shop is the only place I can really bring my car to get serviced in Turkey. I am here for another 2 years. I did find a webpage - www.phoenixhardparts.com (They offer remanufactured transmissions). I can replace my whole transmission and buy a remanufactured one from them for about $1500. I can also try to replace the "pulse generator" myself. I am really stuck here. That car is my only transportation. I just bought it and I can't see it go to waste. Any help is solving my problem would be greatly appreciated. I know this post has been long and detailed, but thank you for reading this far. I attached a picture of the car just so you all can see her.

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=798&stc=1[/QUOTE]

[J-SPEC BMW]

I just wanted to tell everyone thanks for all the information and help concerning the transmission problem I had with my BMW. I ended up taking my BMW to a transmission specialist here. They hooked it up to the computer and were getting an "Unknown" error. They took the tranny apart and found a lot of the seals and gaskets were shot and the oil was very low. Also, they found a problem with the torque convertor and one of the actual gears. They spoke limited english so it was hard to understand what they were talking about, but I think it had to do with not enough pressure was available to switch gears. Anyway, after it was all done it only ended up costing me $1400. I couldn't be happier and I still got a prime 93' BMW 525i with under 55k on it for $6400. Again, thanks for all the help. Kyle Ward.