Transfer Case Reset Necessary After Fluid Change?

cjdzombie · 09-26-2018, 01:48 PM

I'm changing my transfer case oil this weekend. In my research I started seeing threads with people discussing resetting the transfer case adaptations after changing the fluid. I'm curious because most the DIYs I found (like the FCP Euro DIY vid) did not mention this step. I want to make sure I'm doing things correctly. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

nsjames · 09-26-2018, 08:33 PM

I changed the fluid and then couldn't find the spot in ista to reset the life.

ignored it.

about a month later I found it in ista, reset it and listened to it do whatever adaptations it does in there.
xdrive system was noticeably less jerky, especially in slow speed tight maneuvering.

so I'd say yes, you need to do it in order to get the best performance from the box.

torrque · 09-27-2018, 08:38 AM

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...=495734&page=5

cjdzombie · 09-27-2018, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by torrque

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...=495734&page=5

Yep. I've read through that whole thread. Just looking for some more feedback. I currently don't have ISTA on my laptop.

hassmaschine · 09-27-2018, 08:55 AM

I reset adaptations on mine, drove much better after.

Keep in mind BMW often deletes 'advanced' options in INPA for whatever reason, so maybe the version you have doesn't have it, but mine definitely did.

cjdzombie · 09-27-2018, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

I reset adaptations on mine, drove much better after.

Keep in mind BMW often deletes 'advanced' options in INPA for whatever reason, so maybe the version you have doesn't have it, but mine definitely did.

Cool. Can you explain where to find those functions in INPA? I'm still new to the software. It may be there and I'm just not aware of it.

hassmaschine · 09-27-2018, 09:03 AM

Adaptations are typically under 'Activate' for any given module.

Sometimes, like the DME, you have to be careful that you don't reset everything, but for the transfercase I believe there was only one option.

cjdzombie · 09-27-2018, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

Adaptations are typically under 'Activate' for any given module.

Sometimes, like the DME, you have to be careful that you don't reset everything, but for the transfercase I believe there was only one option.

Do you happen to know the path through INPA to get to the reset screen? Sorry I'm still just really new to the software.

hassmaschine · 09-27-2018, 10:14 AM

from memory, no..

cjdzombie · 09-27-2018, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

from memory, no..

If you have a chance to pop into the software and look up the path. I'd really appreciate it. I want to make sure I get everything correct.

finallall · 09-27-2018, 11:55 AM

I believe you have to use "rheingold ista" to update the software for the transfer case. I don't think INPA is capable of doing that.

cjdzombie · 09-27-2018, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finallall

I believe you have to use "rheingold ista" to update the software for the transfer case. I don't think INPA is capable of doing that.

Ya, It's looking more and more like that's the case. The more I look into it, that's mostly all I am reading. Looks like I'll be adding the software to my laptop.

nsjames · 09-27-2018, 12:36 PM

honestly ista is better for diagnostics anyhow.

inpa is all powerful, but ista is far easier to actually accomplish things in.

finallall · 09-27-2018, 03:10 PM

Do you have a good download link for ISTA? Also is it the same cable as INPA?

cjdzombie · 09-27-2018, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finallall

Do you have a good download link for ISTA? Also is it the same cable as INPA?

If you're asking me, I don't have download link yet. I'd be using a K+Dcan cable.

torrque · 09-27-2018, 07:57 PM

I bought it for 15 bucks on ebay (the software images); and the seller posted the images on Google drive for me.
Works perfectly.

torrque · 09-27-2018, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjdzombie

Cool. Can you explain where to find those functions in INPA? I'm still new to the software. It may be there and I'm just not aware of it.

Did you read the whole thread?

You go to "service function - power train - Transfer box transmission control unit - Transfer box VTG : Calibration " You click continue and the wizard will guide you through first resetting the calibration and then oil life and parameters.

cjdzombie · 09-27-2018, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by torrque

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjdzombie

Cool. Can you explain where to find those functions in INPA? I'm still new to the software. It may be there and I'm just not aware of it.

Did you read the whole thread?

You go to "service function - power train - Transfer box transmission control unit - Transfer box VTG : Calibration " You click continue and the wizard will guide you through first resetting the calibration and then oil life and parameters.

Awesome! Thanks a bunch!

cjdzombie · 09-28-2018, 03:09 PM

Done. I ended up installing ISTA. Very easy to setup since I already had all the other BMW programs installed. The whole procedure was very easy. I used the small piece of 14mm hex and ratchet wrench as described in other threads. That is definitely the way to go. Thanks for the help!

torrque · 09-30-2018, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjdzombie

Done. I ended up installing ISTA. Very easy to setup since I already had all the other BMW programs installed. The whole procedure was very easy. I used the small piece of 14mm hex and ratchet wrench as described in other threads. That is definitely the way to go. Thanks for the help!

09-26-2018, 01:48 PM	#1
cjdzombie First Lieutenant 76 Rep 290 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 335i xDrive, M Sport Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Cincinnati iTrader: (0)	Transfer Case Reset Necessary After Fluid Change? I'm changing my transfer case oil this weekend. In my research I started seeing threads with people discussing resetting the transfer case adaptations after changing the fluid. I'm curious because most the DIYs I found (like the FCP Euro DIY vid) did not mention this step. I want to make sure I'm doing things correctly. Any feedback is greatly appreciated. __________________ 2011 E92 335i xDrive M-Sport MHD 93 Stage 2+ \| xHP Stage 3 \| xDelete \| Catless Downpipe \| Phoenix Racing Intercooler \| ARM CP \| AFE Drop In Filter
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09-26-2018, 08:33 PM	#2
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,331 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	I changed the fluid and then couldn't find the spot in ista to reset the life. ignored it. about a month later I found it in ista, reset it and listened to it do whatever adaptations it does in there. xdrive system was noticeably less jerky, especially in slow speed tight maneuvering. so I'd say yes, you need to do it in order to get the best performance from the box.
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09-27-2018, 08:38 AM	#3
torrque Banned 298 Rep 650 Posts Drives: Ferrari F430, E92 M3, 335xi Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Newton, MA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 Ferrari F430 [9.08] 2009 BMW M3 [10.00] 2008 BMW 335xi [0.00]	https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...=495734&page=5
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09-27-2018, 08:55 AM	#5
hassmaschine Major General 3966 Rep 7,215 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	I reset adaptations on mine, drove much better after. Keep in mind BMW often deletes 'advanced' options in INPA for whatever reason, so maybe the version you have doesn't have it, but mine definitely did.
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09-27-2018, 09:03 AM	#7
hassmaschine Major General 3966 Rep 7,215 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	Adaptations are typically under 'Activate' for any given module. Sometimes, like the DME, you have to be careful that you don't reset everything, but for the transfercase I believe there was only one option.
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09-27-2018, 10:14 AM	#9
hassmaschine Major General 3966 Rep 7,215 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	from memory, no..
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09-27-2018, 11:55 AM	#11
finallall New Member 7 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 08 335xi Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (0)	I believe you have to use "rheingold ista" to update the software for the transfer case. I don't think INPA is capable of doing that.
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09-27-2018, 12:36 PM	#13
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,331 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	honestly ista is better for diagnostics anyhow. inpa is all powerful, but ista is far easier to actually accomplish things in.
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09-27-2018, 03:10 PM	#14
finallall New Member 7 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 08 335xi Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (0)	Do you have a good download link for ISTA? Also is it the same cable as INPA?
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09-27-2018, 07:57 PM	#16
torrque Banned 298 Rep 650 Posts Drives: Ferrari F430, E92 M3, 335xi Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Newton, MA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 Ferrari F430 [9.08] 2009 BMW M3 [10.00] 2008 BMW 335xi [0.00]	I bought it for 15 bucks on ebay (the software images); and the seller posted the images on Google drive for me. Works perfectly.
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09-28-2018, 03:09 PM	#19
cjdzombie First Lieutenant 76 Rep 290 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 335i xDrive, M Sport Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Cincinnati iTrader: (0)	Done. I ended up installing ISTA. Very easy to setup since I already had all the other BMW programs installed. The whole procedure was very easy. I used the small piece of 14mm hex and ratchet wrench as described in other threads. That is definitely the way to go. Thanks for the help! __________________ 2011 E92 335i xDrive M-Sport MHD 93 Stage 2+ \| xHP Stage 3 \| xDelete \| Catless Downpipe \| Phoenix Racing Intercooler \| ARM CP \| AFE Drop In Filter
	Appreciate 0 Quote