[ciscobitspitter@gmail.com]

I'm hoping someone can narrow down an issue. I have a 2007 335i N54 with 6 speed automatic transmission. It used to once in a while but has gotten more frequent. The transmission goes into limp mode and I get the gear indicator on the dash. Normally a shutdown and restart will clear it but occasionally it takes an iCarly code reset to clear it. The filter and fluid was recently changed. I've been looking at replacing the mechantronic sleeve, as well as the other mechantronic seal. Is there anything else that I should be focusing on? Here's the code I'm getting from iCarly.

[biz77]

5-4 ratio monitoring. Could be as simple as the bridge seal and/or the other four seals between the valve body (mechatronic) and the transmission itself, but most likely a faulty solenoid.

Continuing to drive it like that can turn a simple fix into a major one.

I would attack this as follows...
Step 1:
New pan/filter
New fluid
New mechatronic sealing sleeve
New bridge seal and four round seals.

If that doesn't solve it:
Pull valve body and replace solenoids

If that doesn't solve it:
Rebuild yourself or have the valve body rebuilt.

If that doesn't solve it, then you've let the slipping occur for too long and you will need new clutches.

[GoRomeo]

Did you make sure you used the correct fluid and also the correct steps to follow when fluid was changed?

[ciscobitspitter@gmail.com]

Thanks so much, Biz. I've actually already tackled the fluid, filter, and pan, so I'll continue with the remainder of your list.

Thanks for the detailed response,

Mike

Originally Posted by biz77

5-4 ratio monitoring. Could be as simple as the bridge seal and/or the other four seals between the valve body (mechatronic) and the transmission itself, but most likely a faulty solenoid.

Continuing to drive it like that can turn a simple fix into a major one.

I would attack this as follows...
Step 1:
New pan/filter
New fluid
New mechatronic sealing sleeve
New bridge seal and four round seals.

If that doesn't solve it:
Pull valve body and replace solenoids

If that doesn't solve it:
Rebuild yourself or have the valve body rebuilt.

If that doesn't solve it, then you've let the slipping occur for too long and you will need new clutches.

[ciscobitspitter@gmail.com]

Yep, Romeo, i replaced the pan and filter as a unit and went back with Redline fluid.

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Did you make sure you used the correct fluid and also the correct steps to follow when fluid was changed?

[biz77]

I would probably ditch the Redline fluid and go with Lifeguard 6, Pentosin ATF1 or Ford Mercon SP.

[ciscobitspitter@gmail.com]

That's good to know too. Thanks. I'll plan on changing fluid when I go in for the seals.

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Did you make sure you used the correct fluid and also the correct steps to follow when fluid was changed?

Originally Posted by biz77

I would probably ditch the Redline fluid and go with Lifeguard 6, Pentosin ATF1 or Ford Mercon SP.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by biz77

I would probably ditch the Redline fluid and go with Lifeguard 6, Pentosin ATF1 or Ford Mercon SP.

Have you heard of any issues with Redline fluid? I was thinking of using it for my next fluid change. I am a 160k I changed it last at 100k

[biz77]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Have you heard of any issues with Redline fluid? I was thinking of using it for my next fluid change. I am a 160k I changed it last at 100k

I've seen plenty of complaints regarding shift quality after a switch to Redline ATF, especially D6. Some guys like D4. I recommended the above as I've used all three with three different ZF 6HP21 transmissions and have had no issues.

[turbohugh]

I'm having e ratio monitoring and slipping in 4-6. Before the fault goes i get the jerkyness .

Gonna bite the Re manufactured bullet #NewTrans

[Boland01]

Check the bridge seal. Ours was doing the same thing. When I removed the solenoid valve body I saw my bridge seal was cracked. Put in a new one and the transmission shifts like new now.

[PichaDis11]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Have you heard of any issues with Redline fluid? I was thinking of using it for my next fluid change. I am a 160k I changed it last at 100k

I would stick to the Zf fluid and call it a day. The savings from Redline are minimal to justify.

I did a drain and fill with filter change and at 100k with the D6 fluid and started getting trans codes at 150k mi. I now have a failed unit 194k. I won't directly go and blame the fluid in my case as the GM trans is not perfect in any form with the fair share of issues but the failure is odd as that is the only service done to the unit.

[ciscobitspitter@gmail.com]

Biz, I wanted to thank you again for a spot on reply. I had already changed the pan, filter, and fluid, but went back in over this past weekend and replaced the sleeve and 5 seals. This is my second day driving and no gear alert. And it had gotten to be a daily thing. It started 2 or 3 years ago only happening maybe ever few months, but had turned into a regular occurrence. I know it's still early, but I think it is solved. Thanks again for a great recommendation.

Originally Posted by biz77

5-4 ratio monitoring. Could be as simple as the bridge seal and/or the other four seals between the valve body (mechatronic) and the transmission itself, but most likely a faulty solenoid.

Continuing to drive it like that can turn a simple fix into a major one.

I would attack this as follows...
Step 1:
New pan/filter
New fluid
New mechatronic sealing sleeve
New bridge seal and four round seals.

If that doesn't solve it:
Pull valve body and replace solenoids

If that doesn't solve it:
Rebuild yourself or have the valve body rebuilt.

If that doesn't solve it, then you've let the slipping occur for too long and you will need new clutches.

[biz77]

Glad to hear the new seals are working out for you. Bridge seal is notorious for causing issues with these transmissions.

[turbohugh]

Originally Posted by Boland01

Check the bridge seal. Ours was doing the same thing. When I removed the solenoid valve body I saw my bridge seal was cracked. Put in a new one and the transmission shifts like new now.

When we dropped the pan the oil was burnt. Had other adaptation indicators that unfortunately seemed to indicate bad bushing. Pulled down the mechtronic and the bridge seal was intact. Remanufactured trans with new hard parts going in tonight.

With a stock tune the car was fine, but with stage 1 MHD [boost target 12-14 psi vs 6] the car would start slipping not just on 5th but also in lower gears.

I wish it was the bridge seal

[Boland01]

Sorry to hear this.

[ciscobitspitter@gmail.com]

I wanted to thank Biz again for his response. A few days after my last post, the gear indicator reared it's head again. I went back in, pulled the mechatronics, and replaced the solenoids. I think that finally solved it. It's shifting way smoother and no gear indicator since. That was 2 weeks ago.

[mastarron]

Originally Posted by ciscobitspitter@gmail.com

I wanted to thank Biz again for his response. A few days after my last post, the gear indicator reared it's head again. I went back in, pulled the mechatronics, and replaced the solenoids. I think that finally solved it. It's shifting way smoother and no gear indicator since. That was 2 weeks ago.

woohoo! Hopefully theyre gone for good.

What mileage are you on now? What intervals did you do the ATF changes? Does your AT have a filter also?

[ciscobitspitter@gmail.com]

It's at about 107,000 right now. For me, I had never changed the fluid. I bought the car with about 77,000 on it. I changed the pan and filter before going back in and changing the seals, and then again for the solenoids. I'm hoping it's solved now. Since turning 100,000, it's been one thing after another. I changed the turbos earlier this year and had to change the radiator while I was also doing the solenoids. Luckily I've been able to do all the work myself. I've put about $5000 worth of parts in it this year alone.

Originally Posted by mastarron

woohoo! Hopefully theyre gone for good.

What mileage are you on now? What intervals did you do the ATF changes? Does your AT have a filter also?

[mastarron]

Originally Posted by ciscobitspitter@gmail.com

It's at about 107,000 right now. For me, I had never changed the fluid. I bought the car with about 77,000 on it. I changed the pan and filter before going back in and changing the seals, and then again for the solenoids. I'm hoping it's solved now. Since turning 100,000, it's been one thing after another. I changed the turbos earlier this year and had to change the radiator while I was also doing the solenoids. Luckily I've been able to do all the work myself. I've put about $5000 worth of parts in it this year alone.

Did you do the fluid, pan and filter at 77k miles or at 100k miles? I have a 328i and I changed all my fluids around 72k, going to do the next run at 120k-125k.

What parts did you need that came up to $5,000? I wonder if the bulk of the cost was the turbos?

[redhatcode29]

Originally Posted by ciscobitspitter@gmail.com

Biz, I wanted to thank you again for a spot on reply. I had already changed the pan, filter, and fluid, but went back in over this past weekend and replaced the sleeve and 5 seals. This is my second day driving and no gear alert. And it had gotten to be a daily thing. It started 2 or 3 years ago only happening maybe ever few months, but had turned into a regular occurrence. I know it's still early, but I think it is solved. Thanks again for a great recommendation.

Hi, sorry for bumping an old thread. I would like to ask if this issue of yours was totally solved by replacing the seals and pan, or did it reoccur after some time.

Hope you are still active here. Thanks.