Hi, this is my first post, but I'm no dummy to cars. Just to Bimmers right now. I currently own a 3000GT, 300ZXTT, and an Eclipse GST. I do all my own work on these cars. Whereas every vehicle is different, German cars are a whole different animal. So now I have to familiarize myself with my new ride.

I just got a 98 528i in good shape for $3000 with a trans problem, it's in safe mode(2nd or 3rd gear only). I've done alot of reading here but it seems like I have different symptoms than others. Alot of people have the "trans fail prog" reading whereas I do not. The CEL is on which I am going to get checked out soon when I buy my Peake tool, but my dad is taking it to Auto Zone tonight in the meantime to see what their scanner says. The indicator light is on too, which is the one that is a triangle with an exclamation or something.

Some people have had success with their transmissions once the dealer resets their computer. So my question is, will the Peake tool reset the computer, the CEL, or both?

Sounds like you'll need a transmission rebuild. you could try reseating the connections at the TCM, but it doesn't look good. Prepare to spend 2-3000.00 for a new/rebuilt trans.

Well Auto Zone gave 4 codes.

P0733 - Improper gear ratio 3rd gear
P0734
P0440
P0740

p0734- improper gear ratio- 4th gear
p0440 EVAP emission control
p0740 torque converter clutch circuit malfunction.

what kind of lights are lit on the dash? An amber cog gear with a ! in it is the trans light.

The #1 problem is your car has a GM tranny in it. BMW dumbest idea, lets run a GM tranny.

The #1 problem is your car has a GM tranny in it. BMW dumbest idea, lets run a GM tranny.

Obviously you haven't heard that the zf trannies have just as many problems....

Should the OP need to have the tranny rebuilt it will be a lot cheaper on the pocket book... Same tranny as the Catera...

BMW hasn't put a "good" auto tranny in any of their cars...

The #1 problem is your car has a GM tranny in it. BMW dumbest idea, lets run a GM tranny.

Is that really true? BMW put a GM tranny in e39's? I'm somewhat new to the e39 series (just bought my first one but it's a 6 spd), but ZF's were always the standard in my '01 750's and I guess I assumed that was true throughout the line.

Is that really true? BMW put a GM tranny in e39's? I'm somewhat new to the e39 series (just bought my first one but it's a 6 spd), but ZF's were always the standard in my '01 750's and I guess I assumed that was true throughout the line.

It was in the I6 E39's Auto's.

Obviously you haven't heard that the zf trannies have just as many problems....

Should the OP need to have the tranny rebuilt it will be a lot cheaper on the pocket book... Same tranny as the Catera...

BMW hasn't put a "good" auto tranny in any of their cars...

Yes but the ZF tranny wasn't really the problem, it was the torque converters on 95% of them.

Yes but the ZF tranny wasn't really the problem, it was the torque converters on 95% of them.

Same problem with the GM trannies.....;)

Same problem with the GM trannies.....;)

OK

Here's how i fixed mine... drop pan and replace fluid, note how much is in the pan if it is low then you might have a leak in the tranny cooler or the 'O' rings where the lines go into the cooler... get a case of ATF dexron 3 change the filter ($17 at Autozone, comes with a gasket) clean the magnet and put in Lucas Transmission helper and a few quarts of fluid mix it around then put the pan back on (use a few 2x6 pieces of wood to hold it in place while you get the bolts started. Get an outdrive oil pump from a marine supply store and use it to pump fluid into the fill hole WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING... put it back down and take it for a ride, then check it again and look for leaks...good luck!

The lights I have on are the CEL, the triangle light with "!", and that cog light with "!" is intermittent.

Well now the car is not stuck in fail safe mode anymore. It takes off and drives fine until it gets to 3rd or 4th. At that time it slips only while engaging that gear, then stays in that gear until I stop again. Then back to normal, first gear.

I was considering the fluid change as it has fixed tranny issues in past vehicles, but I haven't read such success here in the forums with these trannys.

But you did bring up something that made me think about that cooler leaking. I do have a leak under the car. So before the fluid change can I just get the trans warm after a drive, going through all the gears, removing the fill plug and checking the fluid level?

checking the fluid level is certainly a cheap place to start. If it's low top up and cross your fingers that it works.

Well I did the procedure and it was actually overfilled, fluid came pouring out. I did it with trans warm, AC on, went through all the gears, and level on 4 jackstands. I let the fluid level out and reset the CEL. Same problem.

So I'm looking at another trans or a rebuild I guess. I'll be pulling it out myself and reinstalling it. Any tips?

My advice on the tranny rebuild is to call around or take it to a local transmission shop for an estimate... One good thing about GM automatics is that lots of shops know how to fix them.... At least they can confirm the diagnosis and give you an idea on how much for them to do it for you. Although it can be done, these are a pain to do yourself without a lift...

Well I do my own work and never pay anybody to do do the actual labor unless it's paint/body work. It looks harder than your average vehicle and it's 100 degrees outside. But I have a garage and alot of tools, so off with the trans!

Now what does the TCC solenoid code mean anyway? Torque converter clutch solenoid.