Trans Prog error displayed

[wasapppp]

On occasion this errpr will light up on the dash board. Usually turining the car off and then waiting about 2-3 minutes resolves it till the next time. I have noticed that it usually occurs during city driving on hot days otherwise its ok. The car is a 1992 BMW 525i 130K miles.


I would like to get any feedback on how to resolve this without spending large bucks at the service department of the BMW dealership. What items should I check/replace before I take the car in for service as a last resort?

Have already been to the BMW Service an had the trannie services..... still have Trans Prog error.

Noticed that now it hardly takes any time to start .... barely a few miles then ...bing "Trans Prog".

I have seen many posts reffering to the following items and even purchased a Bentley Service Manual but they do not even mention the part or location.

a) Transmission Control Unit (mentioned in the manual) where is the location of this part?
b) Transmission speed sensor (not mentioned in the manual) where is the location?
c) Is there a Transmission fuse (can't find any reference to it in the Bentley manual) as this user states (he has a 535ia not 92 525i)?

"Anyway I moved the gear lever through all the positions pausing for a couple of seconds between each notch, turned ignition off removed transmission fuse from fuse box in the engine compartment and waited for 10 mins in the hope that the computer would reset itself. So after replacing the fuse and starting her up it was like it never happened.Went for a test and all was as good as new and that was 8 months ago."

d) Is there a Transmission chip in the DME? Where is it located? part #?

[Robert K]

Bruno posted my info and some other info on this topic. It can be maddening. Once on his site, go to "Troubleshooting." The popout menu will show "Trans Program Message" near the bottom. That should give you some things to check.

Grace and peace,

Robert K
1991 535i

[wasapppp]

Thanks Robert. I will check it after work tomorrow.

[Scott C]

Thanks Robert. I will check it after work tomorrow.

Did your transmission go into limp mode? If it is a "true" trans prog failure then the tranny will be limited to 3rd forward gear (reverse works).

Mine had this problem but it was NOT a tranny problem...

Scott

[wasapppp]

Yes, mine does go into limp mode. It started happening about 5 months ago but only occasionally. i had the dealer check and they said OK. Now its happenibg everytime I drive.
In your case what was it if it was not the tranny?

[Scott C]

Yes, mine does go into limp mode. It started happening about 5 months ago but only occasionally. i had the dealer check and they said OK. Now its happenibg everytime I drive.
In your case what was it if it was not the tranny?

If only I knew.... I had to mask it...

After having it at the dealer for 5 months or so, they gave up. I finally got the tech manuals and disconnected the wire that goes from the tranny ECU to the Check control module (grounded the input to the CCM). The problem does not get reported now.... I have yet to find the time to figure out where the wire is shorting (although I think I have an intermittant power problem at the instrument cluster). It works 99.99% of the time so I leave it alone

Scott

[wasapppp]

Bruno posted my info and some other info on this topic. It can be maddening. Once on his site, go to "Troubleshooting." The popout menu will show "Trans Program Message" near the bottom. That should give you some things to check.

Grace and peace,

Robert K
1991 535i

Well I did read the article posted at Buro's site (very informative) and decided to start by having the Transmission serviced at the BMW dealer and specifically asked for BMW parts and for my parts back. Upon looking at the parts they were BMW original parts so it wasn't a aftermarket filter that was the cause (one down) however the problem still persists. The good news was that the dealership and mechanic that did the service say the transmission is in good shape and they wanted to troubleshoot the electrical for $90.00 an hour and they estimated it would be at least 4 hours. Already spent $230 on the transmission service so I said no. I guess there is no silver bullet so it will be a process of elimination.

[wasapppp]

Did your transmission go into limp mode? If it is a "true" trans prog failure then the tranny will be limited to 3rd forward gear (reverse works).

Mine had this problem but it was NOT a tranny problem...

Scott

Yes it did go into limp mode. Even after the transmission service the "Trans Proggram" error is still on. I wish it was a more informative message so you know which part to replace!!!!!!

[wasapppp]

If only I knew.... I had to mask it...

After having it at the dealer for 5 months or so, they gave up. I finally got the tech manuals and disconnected the wire that goes from the tranny ECU to the Check control module (grounded the input to the CCM). The problem does not get reported now.... I have yet to find the time to figure out where the wire is shorting (although I think I have an intermittant power problem at the instrument cluster). It works 99.99% of the time so I leave it alone

Scott

I have a 1992 525i and just got my Bentley BMW service manual this past Friday. I will look it up and see if the 1992 525i has the tranny ECU and CCM as yours.

[632 Regal]

came back immediatley saying that the message was on...I know cheating but hey, maybe a cheaper diagnosis.