Hello. Thank you for the time to read. I have a 1990 BMW with a small Trany problem. When I put it in reverse is takes a while to enguage. It makes a whiny sound then will engauge. If the engine is warm it works no problem. I change all the fluids today and it still does this but it is a little smoother and faster changing gears. It does not seam like a huge problem if it works fine when warmed up. But I will leave it 2 all of you BMW Gods to guide me in the right direction. I am sure it is easy...

auto tranny then?

autotrans has way too many parts. the parts to my brain cell ratio is off. I like the aamco in my town I think they really do a good job(at least that one does). my take on automatics is when they break replace them. or have sombody rebuild. there are other exturnal things that could be bad.
my guess is the shift pressure solonoid dohicky

interesting, shift dohicky, I will look into that and see what I can come up with. Any other suggestions Por Favor.

It is indeed a problem with the automatic transmission. What you are experiencing now will only worsen with time. I believe you have a 4HP22 model transmission. If I'm thinking of the right tranny, the problem is with the gaskets inside. They shrink up.

I attached a photo that I took of one of the plates with the famous shrunken gasket in detail.

Amber

Wow that is a nice picture, of a bad bad problem I am guessing. I was going to take it to the shop tomorrow to get an idea of what it is exactly. I appreciate the help. What does a fix like this cost. Could I due it myself. Where could I buy the right parts. and is there anyother chance it is something else. Thank you very much

It sounds like it could just be a clogged filter in the tranny. Its worth trying if you haven't done so already. Good luck

Nope I changed all the fluids and filters a few days ago. I does shift better and goes into gear just fine when warm. I also put some slick50 trany stuff in there as well. I was told it may take a few days but not so sure. I am open too all sorts of Ideas. I live on an island and parts due not come cheap if at all. there is only one place that sells BMW's here and they want around five grand for a new one, they don't even rebuild the old one's nore due they guarantee there work. shady business I say. I am willing to due enough to fix it I can work on it myself if I no exactly what the problem is.

Oooo. You're in a tough spot being in your location as far as the repair goes. We rebuild them, it isn't too hard if you have the experience, PATIENCE!!, attention to detail, and the right parts & manuals.

For this repair, you would need to pull the transmission, drain it of fluid and start taking it all apart. It isn't an easy task, and I really wouldn't recommend that someone without transmission experience try it without a solid backup plan.

I also put some slick50 trany stuff in there as well. I was told it may take a few days but not so sure.
I believe the additive may be your problem. You might decide to change the fluid to remove most of the Slick 50 from the fluid.

Certainly would be alot cheaper than a new trans from your local shady guy.

Another troubleshoot method you might do is to increase your idle speed with your foot just a hair to see if it places the trans into gear quicker. It could be a weak oil pressure regulator spring or it is sticking when cold. When it does go into gear, is it a 'bang?'

I have a 91 Nissan 300ZX-TT with auto and the garage I had do a flush with the Bilstein machine, I wasn't impressed, added a can of BG Trans Conditioner. I did notice delayed upshifts and and alittle slipping. I changed fluid and it went away, trans works fine, stays in gear all the way to 7500 rpm then upshifts. Oh, this is at WOT only. The rest of the time at part throttle, you can't tell/feel it shift. 108K miles.

there is not a bang when it goes into gear unless I have it reved up. I am not sure it is the additive, it did not have any on there before I change the fluids and now it is better, smoother shifting. It shifts fine when driving and works just fine when warmed up.

I have all the tools and a shop to work in for the repair, I have some guys that no a little about transmissions, so it were possible to find the part i need I would due the fix myself.

The car looks sharp and is in great condition, I traded my big screen tv for it. My friend came home from Iraq and gave me the deal. So a little money put into it to get more out of it is a fine situation for me. I cannot sell a car to someone with reverse problems and feel good about it. Allthough I am going to geramany in August so I could take it with me. But here on this forsaked Island you can sell things for a higher price becasue of the location.

So I have a mechaninc looking at it right now. And am relaying what all of your are saying to get a better Idea of the focal point of the problem. So keep them comming and I will find out what is the next step.

also if any of you guys no a good place to get the parts I might need feel free. I saw a rebuild kit for 350.00 I might go that route. if I need it. but thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

this week oil pressure regulator spring excites me, A little more info would be helpfull.

I had the same problem with my e34m50 525. tried changing the fluid, replaced 2 solenoids, filter and no change in behaviour. And the problem is just that, the car just wouldn't reverse on cold (only occurs in the mornings, after a night of cooldown). I took the car for tranny rebuilt, cost me nearly usd1000, inclusive of one solenoid, one set of rebuilt kit and labour. Once opened, found all clutches, pressure plates etc. worn out. Two days later, the car purred out of the house, in reverse.

sounds like we are getting closer to source of the problem. thanks for the info. Where did you get your rebuid kit from and did it include all the parts needed. this solenoid, is it something that I will need also for a trany rebuild.

did you replace the tranny filters?

I changed one filter, is there more?

I think I found a good solution. I think there is one in a junk yard still in the car, the guy on want a few hundred for it I am going to see if it might work. It is a 88 525 mine is a 90, not sure but there are the same body style...

there should be 3 solenoids (4 speed tranny), but do not need to change the solenoids.. the solenoids actuate shift of the gear. I advise do the rebuilt first because the solenoids can be accessed via the oil sump (there should be 2) and if need arise can be changed without needing to lower/remove the gearbox. There will be 2 filters, one in the main oil sump (here you would find 2/3 solenoids, I think) and the other in the smaller sump next to the first one (here you should find 1 solenoid and 1 pressure regulator).

I don't remember who was the manufacturer for the rebuilt kit, but it was an US brand.. good luck

I believe the manufacturer of the 4HP22 is GM.

The two small filters that oukouke34 is talking about should come with a rebuild kit. You may also need to get a spacer kit. Probably depends on who you end up ordering from.

Amber