[MtBMW73]

I am getting a whining noise from underneath my 2013 E92 at low speeds, which increases in pitch with vehicle speed and is independent of engine speed (i.e. it happens when coasting). Took it to my local shop for a diagnosis and they "think" it is coming from the transfer case and likely will require replacement. They quoted me around $5K for parts and labor if I decide to do that.

The car drives normally otherwise and it's not super-loud, but annoying nonetheless, and problems like these only tend to get worse. I have an appointment scheduled with another European specialist shop for another opinion.

But in the meantime I am going to change the fluid to see if that does anything. The car has 83K miles and it has not been changed previously. I just ordered a transfer case fluid change kit from FCP Euro.

My question though is if the control module needs to be reset after a fluid change. FCP's walk-through says no, that's only required when the transfer case actuator motor is replaced. But Pelican Parts says yes, it is required and could damage the transfer case if not done.

Can anyone confirm one way or the other?

[kenmar]

I did a TC fluid change a couple of years ago and did not perform a reset. I just followed the procedural recommendations that were posted on this forum. Not sure if those precautions had any impact, but it's been a couple of years since the change and no issues.

Gearbox noises are usually not good news. I had rear diff noises in my old 3 series and tried a fluid change without any luck. I eventually had the diff rebuilt

[Brian86]

Transfer case is a relatively easy repair.

Basically remove the driveshaft, then it's 10 more bolts and one wire connector. It's light enough that a normal man can ugga-dugga it in and out even on jack-stands. (although a cheap harbor freight scissor transmission jack is a good compromise)

$5,000 is absolutely bat-crap Ludicrous. It's about a 4 hour job. 6 hours if the exhaust manifold and driveshaft fasteners are rusty.

Should be able to find a reasonable milage one in a salvage yard for about $200. Under about 75k miles and it's pretty much guaranteed to be good even with no maintenance. They typically run 300k+ if the fluid is changed once in a while.

[jadams161]

if you have Protool or ISTA after changing the TC oil, run the oil reset and calibration procedure for the TC. It will reset the oil life sensor and set the adaptations for the TC. I've done this with every TC fluid change.

[MtBMW73]

Originally Posted by jadams161

if you have Protool or ISTA after changing the TC oil, run the oil reset and calibration procedure for the TC. It will reset the oil life sensor and set the adaptations for the TC. I've done this with every TC fluid change.

I have an Autophix 7910 scan tool, which has the capability to do transfer case oil resets. However, I keep getting a "communications error" and don't know why. I posted about it further down: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2070215

BTW, I changed the transfer case fluid and it made no difference on the whining noise. I have an appointment with a European auto shop on the 15th for them to take a look at it. I'll ask them to do the reset and calibration, but I assume that will have no impact on my issue.

[MtBMW73]

Originally Posted by Brian86

Transfer case is a relatively easy repair.

Basically remove the driveshaft, then it's 10 more bolts and one wire connector. It's light enough that a normal man can ugga-dugga it in and out even on jack-stands. (although a cheap harbor freight scissor transmission jack is a good compromise)

$5,000 is absolutely bat-crap Ludicrous. It's about a 4 hour job. 6 hours if the exhaust manifold and driveshaft fasteners are rusty.

Should be able to find a reasonable milage one in a salvage yard for about $200. Under about 75k miles and it's pretty much guaranteed to be good even with no maintenance. They typically run 300k+ if the fluid is changed once in a while.

I have an appointment with a European specialist shop to get another opinion. The first shop was giving me a ball-park estimate. They told me about $2500 for the transfer case and 8-10 hours of labor. I did a quick search on eBay and used ones are going for around $400-$500. I might be comfortable doing this myself, but my only fear is dealing with rusty exhaust bolts. When I was under there to change the fluid, they looked totally rusted over. Last thing I want to do is break off one of those studs. But I also want to be 100% sure that is what is making this noise and not something else (like the actuator motor? If that's even possible).