Gear Box Problem... Reverse gear not working. (E46 Valvetronic)

[three 18]

Last couple of weeks, I had a problem with my gear box gear (E46 2.0), couldn't engage reverse gear e.g. when engage reverse, its like on neutral. No problem moving forward. But after driving a while forward, reverse gear is ok again. This went on of a few weeks. Until yesterday, reverse was gone for good. Took it to a few mech, most say its the gear switch (est. rm1500.00 per switch, consist of 2 switch, excluding workmanship).I narrow down to 1 mech which came highly recommended by a member here. Ah Fatt fr. PJ Old Town. Anyway, he recommended me to service the gear box. Change the clutch, ring and etc. which parts and labour is approx. rm6-7k. Before that, he ran a check using LAUNCH and no fault was detected on the so call switches. He suspect could be a pressure leak in the gear box. So he recommend me to service the gear box, if that fails. Then change the switches.So, just wanna check if any body here experience this before. And is the price quoted reasonable?Appreciate any reply. Thanks.Cheers.Three18.

 

[youngdm]

Gearbox problem

I have the exact problem last year with my E46 2.0. I of course sent it to Auto Bavaria and after three times of trying to repair it, eventually I have to change the entire gear box. Cost me RM11K. They told me the normal price is RM22K and since I have been servicing and repairing my car there for years, they gave me 50% discount. Even at AB the first two times they try repairin the switches but did not work.

 

[debott05]

Try German Machanic , Taman Melawati .....

 

[three 18]

Wow... that's very generous of them to give you a 50% discount. Apparently, my mech told me plus the switches, it would cost me around that region too. Crossing my fingers, hope the switches are ok.

BTW, was your car under warranty and how long did they take to repair it?

I have the exact problem last year with my E46 2.0. I of course sent it to Auto Bavaria and after three times of trying to repair it, eventually I have to change the entire gear box. Cost me RM11K. They told me the normal price is RM22K and since I have been servicing and repairing my car there for years, they gave me 50% discount. Even at AB the first two times they try repairin the switches but did not work.

 

[three 18]

Thanks for the info, but he's act., working on my car already. Couldn't wait as I need my wheels back ASAP.

Try German Machanic , Taman Melawati .....

 

[jarance]

Get a second or 3rd opinion..

What is the mileage clock by your UDM so far?

If there is no alarm registered, how can they recommend to overhaul it.

The problem could be a gearshift contact switch which will cost you about RM180.00 to replace.

If the gear shift position is misaligned or worm out, the autogear shift management will still think that it is "D" mode. Please take note the Reverse position is between "Park" and "Neutral" and will encountered the same amount of wear when you shift from park to drive.

I hope you check the gearshift contact before you embark on overhauling your gearbox.

 

[three 18]

Ok... i will check that too. Will update you guys more when I see it abit later.

Thanks once again.

Get a second or 3rd opinion..

What is the mileage clock by your UDM so far?

If there is no alarm registered, how can they recommend to overhaul it.

The problem could be a gearshift contact switch which will cost you about RM180.00 to replace.

If the gear shift position is misaligned or worm out, the autogear shift management will still think that it is "D" mode. Please take note the Reverse position is between "Park" and "Neutral" and will encountered the same amount of wear when you shift from park to drive.

I hope you check the gearshift contact before you embark on overhauling your gearbox.

 

[three 18]

Manage to have a look at my dismantled GB yesterday. I did ask my mech bout the gearshift contact, and he rule that out. Firstly, D mode is operating fine (including manual mode), when change to R mode, the engine rev drops a little, meaning the its still recognise its been change to R mode (just my personal observation, pls. correct me if am wrong), and when accelerate its like on neutral.

Anyway, what he manage to show me was (1) the clutch plate appears rather loose (2) the O Ring rubber is hardening. He will also be servicing the valve body. The switches appears to be fine (visually).

BTW, I've clock approx. 180k km. Mainly due to travelling outstation.

 

[QD250]

keep us updated bro, there's many who would appreciate the learnings here.....

some observations:

- you were not there when they dismantled it?
- he ruled out the gearshift contact bcoz it is still okay or becoz he had already dismantled it?

anyway keep us posted so that we can all learn sumthing here....

thanks bro.

 

[three 18]

No prob bro. Will certainly do.

1. I wasn't there when he dismantle it. Didn't have the time. Guess if 1 wants to witness that, be prepared to spend at least half a day. Got to wait for the parts to cool off and etc. I only when back in the evening to have a look. I was shown some faulty parts.

2. He ruled that out based on things I mentioned earlier and also his personal experience. This is the 1st time am using this mech. Came highly recommended fr. a member here. Apparently he's a GB specialist. Ex-AB foreman, like Ah Yau (Segambut) but minus the temper. Haha.

But its taking longer than expected. Targeted 3 days, but looks like its gonna be 5 days. Was told no to rush him. Man, I miss my wheels.

NOTE: Only use correct ATF for your GB. My mech (and also bro Planta) suspect my problem have something to do with the ATF I used. And I was using Shell ATF.

Cheers!

p.s. Bro Planta, thanks for the invaluable info... :d

keep us updated bro, there's many who would appreciate the learnings here.....

some observations:

- you were not there when they dismantled it?
- he ruled out the gearshift contact bcoz it is still okay or becoz he had already dismantled it?

anyway keep us posted so that we can all learn sumthing here....

thanks bro.

 

[yeecher]

Last couple of weeks, I had a problem with my gear box gear (E46 2.0), couldn't engage reverse gear e.g. when engage reverse, its like on neutral. No problem moving forward. But after driving a while forward, reverse gear is ok again. This went on of a few weeks. Until yesterday, reverse was gone for good. Took it to a few mech, most say its the gear switch (est. rm1500.00 per switch, consist of 2 switch, excluding workmanship).

I narrow down to 1 mech which came highly recommended by a member here. Ah Fatt fr. PJ Old Town. Anyway, he recommended me to service the gear box. Change the clutch, ring and etc. which parts and labour is approx. rm6-7k. Before that, he ran a check using LAUNCH and no fault was detected on the so call switches. He suspect could be a pressure leak in the gear box. So he recommend me to service the gear box, if that fails. Then change the switches.

So, just wanna check if any body here experience this before. And is the price quoted reasonable?

Appreciate any reply. Thanks.

Cheers.
Three18.

i heard this is a common problem just yesterday i was at karl benz taman mayang an e46 330i had the same problem and the owner had to replace the entire gearbox. must be some loaded guy because it was brand new gearbox. if i were you i would change to manual transmission...

 

[three 18]

Manual? What's the cost like? Just a little curious...

i heard this is a common problem just yesterday i was at karl benz taman mayang an e46 330i had the same problem and the owner had to replace the entire gearbox. must be some loaded guy because it was brand new gearbox. if i were you i would change to manual transmission...

 

[three 18]

Finally, after a week in the workshop, I got her back. Ride is extremely smooth (in between gears), feels like when its new. Unlike previously, everything seems more 'solid' now. i.e. when engage D or R, its quiet. Kinda diff to explain.

But most important, reverse gear is OK.

Total damage. RM7800.00.

 

[jarance]

RM7800.. ouch..ouch..

So what was the root cause of the problem and what was done that cost RM7800?

 

[three 18]

According to him, ball bearing in the valve body has been damage. Hence losing pressure. That should be it... make any sense?

 

[stan001]

Gearbox error codes

I got my recon 2001 E46 325i recently and on day 2, the gearbox error came up and send it back to be fixed. Have similar problems like could not engage in any gear except for 3rd gear (kinda like safe mode) and also sometimes could not engage in reverse gear.

Got the mechanic from the supplier to fix it but after doing an overhaul of the entire gearbox, that problem still occurs every 4-5 days of driving.

They gave me a 6 months warranty of the overhaul gearbox after I did a complete ATF change after 1000km.

Now when the problem occurs, the mechanic blames it on the electronic board.

Went to another workshop, they plugged it into the laptop computer for bmw & mini and have the following error message:-

(049) 31 - Symptom Gear Monitoring plausibility
(053) 35 - Gear monitoring 3 ( po733)
(065) 41 - Gear monitoring 4 (limp home program )
(033) 21 - Turbine speed sensor ( po715 )

From the above, any idea what does it means and is it related to the electronic board

Can anyone recommend me some workshop that is very experience on fixing bmw gearbox in klang valley ?


Thanks

 

[Mouse]

Finally, after a week in the workshop, I got her back. Ride is extremely smooth (in between gears), feels like when its new. Unlike previously, everything seems more 'solid' now. i.e. when engage D or R, its quiet. Kinda diff to explain.

But most important, reverse gear is OK.

Total damage. RM7800.00.

where did u fix it

 

[three 18]

Hi Mouse,

Pls. refer to posting #1.

Anyway, I've seem to over look 1 detail. Was advise by a member to see what parts he had replace. i.e. showing me damage parts taken out fr. my GB.

That I didn't do... (bang head... bang head). FYI, now my car is in his workshop AGAIN. Car couldn't start. Got cranking, but just wouldn't start. Apparently no power going to fuel pump (think i better start a NEW thread...)

 

[jarance]

Hi Mouse,

Pls. refer to posting #1.

Anyway, I've seem to over look 1 detail. Was advise by a member to see what parts he had replace. i.e. showing me damage parts taken out fr. my GB.

That I didn't do... (bang head... bang head). FYI, now my car is in his workshop AGAIN. Car couldn't start. Got cranking, but just wouldn't start. Apparently no power going to fuel pump (think i better start a NEW thread...)

check the crankshaft sensor. failure of the crankshaft sensor will disable the fuel pump and ignition coil. Sometime, mechanic will diagnose that the fuel pump is the cause but in actual fact it is the crankshaft sensor.

 

[three 18]

check the crankshaft sensor. failure of the crankshaft sensor will disable the fuel pump and ignition coil. Sometime, mechanic will diagnose that the fuel pump is the cause but in actual fact it is the crankshaft sensor.

Hi Jarance, thanks for yr reply.

What we've check so far is:
1. Fuel pump
2. Wiring
3. Fuel pump relay
4. Fuses
5. Spark plug firing
6. Immobiliser/key problem
7. DME

So far No. 1-5 has been eliminated. No. 6-7 will know outcome by tomorrow (hopefully). Gave him all my keys to do reprogramming, and according to him using GT1 (Pls. advise, so that am not being BS by him).

And if that fails, then it'll be problem No.7. And that would cost a whopping RM5k Does it cost that much? Pls. advise. Thanks.