Got a 2000 540iT with 104K last august, now has 115K, and on the way home today, the car (on the freeway) kind of clunked (a little abruptly- scared the wife)throught the drivetrain, and gave me the TFP warning. Shortly thereafter, the SES light came on. The car starts from a standstill in 2nd gear, and is a little sluggish. I've done a site search, and didn't really get a real answer.

Going to go home and put the code reader on it. Any other suggestions? Fluid is clean and up to the correct level.

Any clues? Haven't had to do much to this, other than the full coolant system, since I didn't know the full history of the car when I got it.

Oh, yeah, and now I've got a coolant leak, but the level indicator is showing it full. I think I did give it a little too much when the low coolant level light came on after I did the system replacement, and I topped it off. Will it 'seek' the correct level? Or is this another new issue?

I'll check that out too. Fun night for me ahead.

Thanks,

Darryl

I hate reading about this. Always makes me feel that mine might do the same some day.. then that would be FAIL.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t64/chickiepea86/fail.jpg

The TPF may or may not indicate a major problem. I had it show up over a year ago on a wet cold day. My car defaulted to 3d or 4th gear so I limped to the dealer. It took 2 days to diagnose and the response was: "We're not sure what is wrong and we recommend replacing the tranny". Since I only had 50K on the car, I said Pls reset the computer and give me the car. 15 mos and 16K later, nothing has happened since. I suspect it was an electrical fault in a sensor to the OBC due to the wetness (just a guess).

Have the codes read and have a second opinion before spending the big bucks. Good luck. Pls post your outcome.

sounds like an electrical problem, sensor, connector, ... even a weak battery can cause this problem.

Took the car home, up on the ramps, to find the coolant leak. Split in the aft(engine) side of the expansion tank- No big deal, easy fix. Part to be ordered after I'm done here.

Pulled the codes, and all I got was one for an after cat O2 sensor slow response. Again, no big. Went to clear the SES and couldn't, and read in the reader manual that if it won't clear then its a code from the TCM, and I'll have to have those read by someone with that equip. Oh well. The car runs fine, and I don't feel like I am due for a major failure. Everything else on this car is golden.

I live on Camano Island, north of Everett, Wa. Anyone from here you feel I should use? I am not afraid of paying someone who knows WTF they are doing. Not interested in experimentors. I've got a line on a local guy, but if theres someone who is especially good, don't hesitate to chime in.

Thanks. I will keep you posted on the progress.

Darryl

Replaced the split expansion tank, re-filled, drove the car to work, with the SES light on, topped off the coolant a couple times as the air bled out, and the SES light is off. Car is back to perfect. Is this something I need to have checked anyway? Could it have been a result of the coolant leak? Once that was fixed, the problem 'went away'. I'm not a fan of things I think are an issue fixing themselves. Makes me feel uneasy. Does the car constantly self-diagnosing itself make this OK?

Battery was replaced (not by me) in July of 06. Everything on this car works great except for the pixel readout, and I've got a broken control switch for the fwd/aft adjustment on the drivers seat. Good thing the wife and I have the same setting for that.

Thanks,

Darryl

If I had to "speculate" from the info in your first post...and add that info to what you found (the leaking expansion tank)...plus the info in the last post as to everything seeming to be okay and no SES light or codes etc....I'd guess that the issue arose when (slippery) coolant leaked from the expansion tank and some of it got on the V-belt causing it to slip.

A slipping belt can cause weird electrical gremlins if the system isn't charging correctly...and if you stay around a while reading the forum daily/weekly/monthly...you'll see a re-occurring issue with voltage drops and the appearance of the TFP warning (transmission failsafe program).

If you look up what that warning means in the owners manual...it involves more than just the transmission...the TFP warning will also illuminate if there's an electrical problem with the gear selector electronics. So again, you may have just had a drop in voltage due to a slipping V-belt which cause the electrical gremlins to appear.

Good luck, and hopefully you got the problem fixed so the issues you experienced should be gone. :D

Thanks Qsilver7! It did it again today to the Warden. It has not done it to me except for the first day. She did experience the abrupt 'clunk' through the drive train at freeway speeds today like the first time, and then the audible warning. She said she didn't see any written warning across the dash, although the pixels are bad, and she is semi clueless anyway. I went out and punched the system check button and got nothing. I have to go to the stealership for a new key (yes, the expensive one) because she lost it at her church on Sunday. Nice- $195, plus 2 trips to Bellvue BMW (closest one) to take care of it. I keep warning her that I'm going to buy her a cheap, reliable little POS, because she cant seem to keep this car off the curbs. Got it with 1 wheel having some rash, now they all do. What is it with them? Are they magneticly drawn to things that damage wheels?

Sorry for the vent at the end. She frustrates me sometimes (most of the time).

Darryl

hey man it not necissary to take it to bmw.... i think throughout the guys i chill with bmw wise... they usually recomend eastside bavarian... dont go to stricktly bmw... they overcharge and arent the best... http://www.eastsidebavarian.com/
we got some great enthusiasts in the northwest section of the regional forums... im usually lurking here or there

Thanks Q2D. I was looking for a reputable independant. I know the stealerships are what they are, but had no info on who or where to go. Any others north of Seattle?

Will advise on my findings.

Darryl

all the guys recomend eastside barvarian... if you need any help holler im fine comming out and checking out a car... ive done my cooling system overhaul and ccv and other stuff... but no tranny work.... i need tofluch my trans fluid and do new fluid... have you tried checking the atf fluid it may be low.... ive heard that happening but yeah take it to them...

Took the car to Bellevue BMW last week. Here's the diagnosis and related estimates:

Trans sump sensor harness is loose\has a bad connection. $900.00
TCM had a failure in a circuit, only shows it happening once, and they can't say when. $1200.00
Passenger side valve cover has a leak(VERY minor-wiped it off, gave the closest fastener a slight snug). $343.00
RF splash shield is broken. $78

Thier shop rate is $116, and I paid $208 for this information.

WOOF!

Now, I will do a trans service, and if I can find one, a new sump level sensor harness, since they said they'd need to have the pan off to do it. I will search for info on that, but if anyone has somewhere to send me for that, please let me know.

Thanks for the support guys.

Darryl

Wow, sorry to hear that. Hope everything works out and you can get some of the items done cheaper elsewhere.

My car is doing the same thing but only when I'm in a stop position. When i barely give it gas it takes it time to move and then it jerks back. When i'm driving i hear this whistling like sound when I'm giving it gas only. I live in san jose ca. My car started doing this today. I took it to a mechanic today and he told me I'm fine. And I'm like bSH*T. He did say some thing about the air pump being bad, O2 sensor bad. Will this really affect the tranny? I was on my drive way and in D position and the car started to roll back like if it was a standard tranny.

Don't worry Camano, it's happing to others too.

I have a 02' 540i sedan

Got home and put the car up in the air, looked for any connectors that were 'loose', and only found the multi-pin connector in front of the pan was 'movable'. The only other connector I could find was the one in the back, and it appeared fine. She has driven it multiple times and no new codes/warnings have appeared. I will still continue to collect parts and do the service when I get back from vacation, as I think the trans is due for a flush. Gets tires on thursday.

More later.

Darryl

I bought the harness, and 4 liters of trans fluid(the lifetime Esso stuff,at....wait for it.....$19.77 per 1/2 liter! For a total of $158! The backs of my legs got sore from the bending over I received), and am waiting to receive my trans service kit from KO. Its been a week since I ordered, and I'll call them in the morning. I will say the inside of the trans looks perfect, and the fluid is only a little darker than the new stuff. My magnets had some stuff on them, but if the trans has never been serviced, like the sticker on the bottom instructs, then I'd have to say this is in fine shape. Hopefully, the new harness fixes the TFP, although I've got a funny feeling its not going to. Just a vibe I'm getting being around the car. I can't explain it.

Will advise.

Darryl

$19.77 per 1/2 liter??

Return it!!! Go to a VW dealer and buy their ATF (Esso). It is identical to the Esso (different container) and costs about $13/liter.

Funny thing about that- They require you to provide a clean container to purchase it from them, as it comes in a large dispensing drum. With the cost of fuel, and how far I have to go to return it, its a wash at this point. No such thing as free school. Let everyone else learn from my schooling.

Waiting for my kit from KO, still.

Placed the original order for my trans filter kit on sunday, 5/18. Added a second order for a new coolant tank, bleeder screw, and shroud rivets on 5/25. I STILL don't have any parts, and am flaming at them (KO Perf) as to why I have not even received a shipping invoice or anything. Was told after my 1st call that they would be shipping both orders at the same time because of my trouble, and when I called them back, they had no record of that, and I had to get that straightened out. They said they 'hoped' to have it in the mail monday, and it would be to me by wed/thurs.

WTF.

Guys, keep this in mind when you are planning to order from them. I would do some serious pre-planning before pulling the car out of service in anticipation of them being expediant. Good prices aren't always in your best interest.

NO SUCH THING AS FREE SCHOOL!

Darryl

STILL NOTHING. These guys suck. Will not be using them again, period. I'd be ahead of the game paying the stealership prices. Car has been in the air for 3 weeks now, and I am PISSED. How hard can it be to , uh, let's see, sell and ship parts when that's WHAT YOU DO?!

Shoppers beware!

Darryl

Replaced the TCM with a used one from BAR, back to normal, working fine. $300.00 shipped. 10 minute install. Wish I'd have gone that route immediatley.

Darryl

Glad to hear you fixed it, for a fraction of the dealer cost!

I guess you never got those parts your ordered then, eh?

Just because Your Battery is 2 years old, doesn't mean it isn't bad, should have checked the battery first, don't assume. I had a battery go out in a year before

So I take it that the car is fixed?

I'm waiting for the day my tranny problems to come. My e39 has been pretty reliable so I'm not complaining...thanks for the informative info :)

On the other hand, my e65 has nothing but problems.....and yes transmission problems....warrenty ending in Aug of 2008, its gonne be a big battle with BMW to fix my tranny.....guess they don't make cars like they used to...

I like older generation BMW's.....

Mine had failsafe light go on, they replaced the switch under the gas pedal and I got a new battery, no problem

I did get the parts after 3 1/2 weeks, and alot of calling and ranting at them. I won't use them again, period. Its not worth the small savings to go through it.

I did check my battery, while I was going through all the other possibilities, and it is fine.

Car is working beautifully as before. Now if I can just keep the parking lot assholes from using it as a bump-stop, I'll be happy (twice in 2 days- 2 small scratches on the rear bumper, and a slightly bent front license plate frame).

Thanks for all the support and advice. I'm SURE I'll be back for more- after all, it's an E39.

Darryl