transmission program

[dali]

just bought a 1993 540i bmer, beautiful car, unfortunately I have not got the ownwer's manual and the dashboard says "transmission program, refer to owner's manual", do I change the transmission fluid or is it a gearbox problem, when wet the automatic trans shudders on change of gear, please help. A bmw admirer.

[lee]

i have exactly the same problem, although my beemer is stuck in 4th gear. Apparently when the trans program comes up on the control check, it mostly means that it could be a sensor or, one of the valves in the gearbox are done for!!! In the first case its cheap to fix......in the second case you proberly need a recon box which becomes expensive!!!

good luck

[peter]

i have a 1988 735 and just put a used tranny in it and it was stuck in 3rd gear. this is called lymp mode it is a gear so that you can get your car to wear you need to go. don not drive car mutch if this is the case if you do you will wear out your forward clutches in the trand. My dummie panel also says check trans program so i have to go to a local import shop and get it recoded that is all that is wrong it is a cheap fix guys dont sweat it

[Buster]

I have a BMW 1994-540I and in cold weather the check engine light comes on. It runs very rough when idling. I took it to the machanic and it is showing O2 sensors bad. We replaced the sensors twice and the light it still on the it is reading O2 sensor still bad.
Can I run the car without O2 sensors?

[Michael Ravali]

I have a 1991 535i,i just bought this car a bout 3 months ago . It cost me $3.700 i also get a transmision program.1st I hit reverse and it slips and doesnt go. 2nd I get stuck on third for awhile then the fourth gear kicks in hard. 3rd I get stuck on the freeway on fourth and doesnt gear up to fith! My local Bmw specialist said its the clutch rubbing against the plates of the tranny and i should get the tranny replaced! Help is he telling me the truth?(please send me comment to [e-mail])

[Dick McCormick]

Have also acquired the the transmission fail safe problem.
During this phase, I loose the speedometer, tach, cruise control, temp gauge as well as the gear shift indicator light.
The traction control symbol comes on as well as the ABS light. When I stop, the the check engine light comes on, but there are NO CODES! The air conditioner takes about 20-30 minutes to come on and the the radiator fans keep surging.
I was told that I needed a new speedo panel.
I have a friend who does repairs on these units and he tried two units. No difference.
Mostly it takes about 1/2 hours before this problem appears, but to day I put on over 100 miles on the car mostly using the cruise control. Stopped for lunch, came out and the fail safe started all over again.
Have no idea what is causing this.
Any one out there have any clues?????
Please E-mail me if you do.
[e-mail]

[Dick McCormick]

*****FOUND THE PROBLEM*****
130 CAN - ABS/DSC INTERFACE AT FAULT. UNIT LOCATED BEHIND THE ABS PUMP IN THE RIGHT SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. BMW PART#(34-52-6-769-862)
PLUG AND PLAY.
FIXED THE PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!!
THE CAR HAD TO BE RE-BOOTED AFTER INSTALLATION.

[steveb]

i had similar problem with 540i--1995. Replaced throttle sensor and the problem was solved.

[davidk-bmw]

i have 530ise auto bmw e34 can get r but thats it no drive forwards the engine oil and the tranny oil look same brown wod that be prob if the tranny was not working with atf oil wod it not drive any help please

[Ginpole64]

Sound like my problem!! Just got a nice 540i e34 car drove fine for a while then I drove the car for about 1600 miles, sudenly my trany wont up shift, it actualy feels like its stuck on 3rd gear, so no guts at all taking off once the transmission get going I talk to my local BMW guy he said $100 to $5000, the car is only worth 4500 anyone knows what to do in this case??

[Eric]

I have a 1994 BMW 540i. My trans program light comes on sometimes the check engine light also. Car has a rough idle. Sometimes the motor shuts off. All the gears shifts fine. Car runs fine until the trans prgoram light comes on. Maybe someone one there who had the same problem as me. I just do not know what it is. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please send replys to [e-mail].

Thank You.

[Rory]

Eric wrote:

I have a 1994 BMW 540i. My trans program light comes on sometimes the check engine light also. Car has a rough idle. Sometimes the motor shuts off. All the gears shifts fine. Car runs fine until the trans prgoram light comes on. Maybe someone one there who had the same problem as me. I just do not know what it is. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please send replys to [e-mail].
Thank You.

I have the exact same problem with my 1993 E34 540i.

If I find out what it is I'll let you know. If you find out what it is, please let me know.

[e-mail]

[1994 BMW 540i]

Buster wrote:

I have a BMW 1994-540I and in cold weather the check engine light comes on. It runs very rough when idling. I took it to the machanic and it is showing O2 sensors bad. We replaced the sensors twice and the light it still on the it is reading O2 sensor still bad.
Can I run the car without O2 sensors?

I had the same problem and it was my throttle body gasket.

[Thomas P]

I have a 1994 540i and ny tranny is binding when I come to a stop. I can push through it and once it shifts out of first it works fine. when I put it in munual shift it works better. Also in neutral it wants to pull backwards.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

[dee]

I got a nice 540i e34 car drove fine for a while then I drove the car for about 1600 miles, sudenly my trany wont up shift, it actualy feels like its stuck on 3rd gear, so no guts at all taking off once the transmission get going. anyone knows what to do in this case??

[reg]

i put a pcv vavle on my 98 740i and ever since then my trans program light stay on and it will not run at idle.

[Jason]

I have a 93 525i and i recently got the "trans program" message. at first, it was only doing it once in a while when i went to start up my car, and it would not. but today when i drove it, i got the message and it started. it was stuck in limp mode not shifting from third gear. i am planning on doing the basics first: Check transmission fluid, check connections in the transmission computer, and then the money spending starts. checking sensors and what not. if anyone has problems like this - email me please. [e-mail]

[Jason]

it seems to happen only when my tank reaches about half empty...i refill it and it goes away.

[T0175so]

Trans program light comes on when going slow, some times when stopping. How do I know what ki d of oil tranny takes.