Drivetrain Malfunction

Bmrmeup · 01-19-2011, 12:40 AM

"Drivetrain Malfunction. See the dealer".........Got that message on the big screen today.........Anyone have this problem before?

1HOT BMR · 01-19-2011, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bmrmeup

"Drivetrain Malfunction. See the dealer".........Got that message on the big screen today.........Anyone have this problem before?

It's starting to look like a few 535s are experiencing this issue:

http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=471138

LORENANN · 09-14-2011, 12:28 PM

We had this message almost immediately, returned car to the dealer, took them a half hour to find the problem. A short, 3 inch or so, flexible tube connected to the turbo would kink and after replacing it it has never recurred.

AME · 09-22-2011, 09:18 AM

I got the exact same message Tuesday night when I started my 550i. I immediately turned off the car and waited a minute and restarted the car; the message didn't show up since. What do you guys think? Should I take it to the dealership? I am about to spend $5K in mods and I don't want to spend that kind of money on a car that is a lemon. Thanks.

Pleather · 09-25-2011, 07:40 PM

Just got the same message on my 550. I turned it off and on a few times and it kept coming back. Several times it wouldn't go into gear until I recycled it. Going to dealer tomorrow.

fuddman · 12-10-2011, 06:00 PM

Been some time this subject was posted but since I've gotten the same message on a number of occasions I thought I'd ask.
Any of you guys who've had the problem care to say how it's been resolved?

Snowrider · 12-11-2011, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuddman

Been some time this subject was posted but since I've gotten the same message on a number of occasions I thought I'd ask.
Any of you guys who've had the problem care to say how it's been resolved?

They actually replaced my drivetrain back in July. Big thump as I was driving, felt as if transmission fell out and car would not engage in gear. Massive rumbling and bad situation for a car with 3200 miles at the time. Had to have the car flatbeded and BMW had my car for 4 days. Had to order part from germany.

fuddman · 12-11-2011, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowrider

They actually replaced my drivetrain back in July. Big thump as I was driving, felt as if transmission fell out and car would not engage in gear. Massive rumbling and bad situation for a car with 3200 miles at the time. Had to have the car flatbeded and BMW had my car for 4 days. Had to order part from germany.

Thanks for the update.

ccboye · 12-25-2011, 03:44 PM

So I was finishing up my last minute christmas shopping at the mall yesterda evening and about to go and pick up some food for christmas day. As I pulled out of the parking lot my 2011 550i shuddered and started shaking violently. Then I saw the engine check light with "Drivetrain Malfunction" message come on. I turned off the engine and let it sit for few minutes and tried again but the engine wouldn't start and the whole systems shut down within a minute. Same results each time

Got on with BMW Assist and had the car towed to the nearest dealer; of course they were closed and no one on site. Left the car, called for a taxi to take me to the nearest airport for a rental. Now I have to wait till tomorrow before I can speak to anyone at the dealership to find out what happened.

I have owned a few cars in the past(2nd 5 series) and I have never have to go through such an ordeal. Here's $75K car with only 17k miles...I'm very disappointed!

Jimefam · 12-25-2011, 07:53 PM

Any chance you ran out of gas? They had an issue with the fuel level sensor.

ccboye · 12-26-2011, 04:51 AM

I had just filled up the tank barely 30 mins earlier...

raleedy · 12-26-2011, 10:12 AM

Please follow up when you find out what's wrong.

fuddman · 12-26-2011, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccboye

So I was finishing up my last minute christmas shopping at the mall yesterda evening and about to go and pick up some food for christmas day. As I pulled out of the parking lot my 2011 550i shuddered and started shaking violently. Then I saw the engine check light with "Drivetrain Malfunction" message come on. I turned off the engine and let it sit for few minutes and tried again but the engine wouldn't start and the whole systems shut down within a minute. Same results each time

Got on with BMW Assist and had the car towed to the nearest dealer; of course they were closed and no one on site. Left the car, called for a taxi to take me to the nearest airport for a rental. Now I have to wait till tomorrow before I can speak to anyone at the dealership to find out what happened.

I have owned a few cars in the past(2nd 5 series) and I have never have to go through such an ordeal. Here's $75K car with only 17k miles...I'm very disappointed!

Had this same problem 4 times. The problem remains unsolved.
If I were you, I'd insist they tell you what caused it.

PJSF10 · 12-26-2011, 09:20 PM

Im currently also dealing with this. I took my 535 to the dealer and they had fault codes 120408 and 120208...which on the service invoice its being described as: boost pressure too high....it goes on to say that they also...

"CHECKED WASTEGATE VALVE VACUUM SUPPLY, WASTEGATE VALVE, AND CHECKED AIR DUCT FOR PROPER OPERATION AND LEAKS. FOUND NO PROBLEMS DURING INSPECTION. TEST DROVE VEHICLE FOR 10 MILES, NO FAULTS FOUND AFTER TEST DRIVE."

Picked up the car last week wednesday, friday the message came up again...dropped of at the dealer once again today....the story continues. Ill post any updates once I get the car back.

Hey FUDDMAN...4 times? No trade assist/buyback/lemoned yet?

fuddman · 12-26-2011, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJSF10

Hey FUDDMAN...4 times? No trade assist/buyback/lemoned yet?

Not yet.

ccboye · 12-26-2011, 11:20 PM

Sounds like you guys got that message and were still able to drive the car. Mine became inoperable when the message came up. The dealer advised today that they are still diagnosing the issue and has submitted a case to BMW for "assistance with repair procedure(s)". That statement concerns me!

ccboye · 12-30-2011, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccboye

Sounds like you guys got that message and were still able to drive the car. Mine became inoperable when the message came up. The dealer advised today that they are still diagnosing the issue and has submitted a case to BMW for "assistance with repair procedure(s)". That statement concerns me!

After almost a week in the shop, dealer received and installed a part, "control module for the fuel system" to my car but it didn't solve the issue. Now I'm told they also need to order and replace the "low pressure fuel sensor" which won't be until next Tuesday due to the holidays. I'm guessing the car won't be ready for another week, and who knows what else is going to come up! Sounds like I'm going to have to ruffle some feathers at BMW NA after all this!

EBRSKIH · 01-02-2012, 12:20 AM

Same problem..lemoned.

cidair · 01-02-2012, 08:36 AM

For 550 owners - check the vacuum valve in the trunk ( left side behind the cover ). Mine was stuck due to dirt/dust been sucked in. It will cause the boost pressure to fail or fluctuate.

PJSF10 · 01-02-2012, 12:44 PM

I got my car back a few days ago and this time around the Pressure Converter (11-74-7-584-628) for the turbo was replaced. I've been driving it pretty hard for the last 3 days and all seems good for now. So far: 2 trips to the dealer for a total of 10 days.

delvek · 01-02-2012, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJSF10

I've been driving it pretty hard for the last 3 days

Great news, be careful not to exceed the break-in period if you only have owned 10 days.

ccboye · 01-02-2012, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EBRSKIH

Same problem..lemoned.

Please elaborate...I'd hate to go through another lemon/buyback episode with BMW if this problem is unfixable!

01-19-2011, 12:40 AM	#1
Bmrmeup Private First Class Drives: 2011 535xi, Graphite Grey Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New York City Posts: 129 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 535xi [0.00]	Drivetrain Malfunction "Drivetrain Malfunction. See the dealer".........Got that message on the big screen today.........Anyone have this problem before?
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12-25-2011, 03:44 PM	#9
ccboye Private Drives: 2011 550i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 76 iTrader: (0)	worst christmas eve ever... So I was finishing up my last minute christmas shopping at the mall yesterda evening and about to go and pick up some food for christmas day. As I pulled out of the parking lot my 2011 550i shuddered and started shaking violently. Then I saw the engine check light with "Drivetrain Malfunction" message come on. I turned off the engine and let it sit for few minutes and tried again but the engine wouldn't start and the whole systems shut down within a minute. Same results each time Got on with BMW Assist and had the car towed to the nearest dealer; of course they were closed and no one on site. Left the car, called for a taxi to take me to the nearest airport for a rental. Now I have to wait till tomorrow before I can speak to anyone at the dealership to find out what happened. I have owned a few cars in the past(2nd 5 series) and I have never have to go through such an ordeal. Here's $75K car with only 17k miles...I'm very disappointed!

01-02-2012, 12:20 AM	#18
EBRSKIH Chef Drives: F10 550i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 240 iTrader: (1)	Same problem..lemoned. __________________ 2013 X6 50i Sapphire Black 2012 550x Alpine White - 12.727@108 - 1.7 60ft lemon'd 2011 550i Sapphire Black - 12.960@109 - lemon'd

01-02-2012, 08:36 AM	#19
cidair cidair Drives: 2012 BMW M5 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 466 iTrader: (0)	For 550 owners - check the vacuum valve in the trunk ( left side behind the cover ). Mine was stuck due to dirt/dust been sucked in. It will cause the boost pressure to fail or fluctuate. __________________ 2012 ///M5 Silverstone/Black, 19" 2011 K1600GT Light Grey 1973 Yamaha RD350 blue smoke! Previous:2011 550ix,2008 ///M3,2007 330xd,2005 ///M5 2004 545iA,2000 ///M5.

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09-14-2011, 12:28 PM	#3
LORENANN Registered Drives: 2011 535xi Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: MI Posts: 1 iTrader: (0)	We had this message almost immediately, returned car to the dealer, took them a half hour to find the problem. A short, 3 inch or so, flexible tube connected to the turbo would kink and after replacing it it has never recurred.

09-22-2011, 09:18 AM	#4
AME New Member Drives: 550i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: FL Posts: 12 iTrader: (0)	I got the exact same message Tuesday night when I started my 550i. I immediately turned off the car and waited a minute and restarted the car; the message didn't show up since. What do you guys think? Should I take it to the dealership? I am about to spend $5K in mods and I don't want to spend that kind of money on a car that is a lemon. Thanks.

09-25-2011, 07:40 PM	#5
Pleather New Member Drives: 2011 550i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 11 iTrader: (0)	Just got the same message on my 550. I turned it off and on a few times and it kept coming back. Several times it wouldn't go into gear until I recycled it. Going to dealer tomorrow.

12-10-2011, 06:00 PM	#6
fuddman First Lieutenant Drives: 528-maybe Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: California Posts: 308 iTrader: (0)	Been some time this subject was posted but since I've gotten the same message on a number of occasions I thought I'd ask. Any of you guys who've had the problem care to say how it's been resolved?

12-25-2011, 07:53 PM	#10
Jimefam Second Lieutenant Drives: 2011 550I Msport Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cumming, Ga Posts: 218 iTrader: (0)	Any chance you ran out of gas? They had an issue with the fuel level sensor.

12-26-2011, 04:51 AM	#11
ccboye Private Drives: 2011 550i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 76 iTrader: (0)	I had just filled up the tank barely 30 mins earlier...

12-26-2011, 10:12 AM	#12
raleedy Major Drives: E92 328i MY 2008 (ED 11/14/07) Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,428 iTrader: (0)	Please follow up when you find out what's wrong.

12-26-2011, 09:20 PM	#14
PJSF10 New Member Drives: F10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: MIAMI Posts: 5 iTrader: (0)	Im currently also dealing with this. I took my 535 to the dealer and they had fault codes 120408 and 120208...which on the service invoice its being described as: boost pressure too high....it goes on to say that they also... "CHECKED WASTEGATE VALVE VACUUM SUPPLY, WASTEGATE VALVE, AND CHECKED AIR DUCT FOR PROPER OPERATION AND LEAKS. FOUND NO PROBLEMS DURING INSPECTION. TEST DROVE VEHICLE FOR 10 MILES, NO FAULTS FOUND AFTER TEST DRIVE." Picked up the car last week wednesday, friday the message came up again...dropped of at the dealer once again today....the story continues. Ill post any updates once I get the car back. Hey FUDDMAN...4 times? No trade assist/buyback/lemoned yet?

12-26-2011, 11:20 PM	#16
ccboye Private Drives: 2011 550i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 76 iTrader: (0)	Sounds like you guys got that message and were still able to drive the car. Mine became inoperable when the message came up. The dealer advised today that they are still diagnosing the issue and has submitted a case to BMW for "assistance with repair procedure(s)". That statement concerns me!

01-02-2012, 12:44 PM	#20
PJSF10 New Member Drives: F10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: MIAMI Posts: 5 iTrader: (0)	I got my car back a few days ago and this time around the Pressure Converter (11-74-7-584-628) for the turbo was replaced. I've been driving it pretty hard for the last 3 days and all seems good for now. So far: 2 trips to the dealer for a total of 10 days.