[GotToSayIt]

Hi all
Data and Issue

1. Week 4 of purchasing 528i X drive - 74200 Miles
2. Transmission heating issue - did not see this when i test drove the car and drove 200 miles from Dealer to home!

3. When i drive around in city conditions ( stop and go), I get the Transmission is overheating warning.

4. In various driving conditions, I have observed (not hard data, just observations), this happened more when using EcoSport mode.

5. During highway driving, i have not observed the Transmission heating issue (including when I drove 200 miles from dealer to home). Last night I drove 20 miles each way on highway and no issue.

6. The BMW dealership changed my oil 2 weeks back and their normal check report included
6a) - Coolant / Anti freeze - May need future attention
6b) - Power steering Fluid, Transmission shifting and Clutch Operation - Needs immediate attention

7) Dealer from whom I have purchased says that changing Transmission Oil will fix it but some repair shops have suggested that it could be any of 10 different issues
(note - dealer will fix free as I have 90 days drivetrain warranty)

See Pic

would appreciate any help / guidance Thanks
gmalhotra@live.com

Thanks all -- and have a great 2024

G

[StradaRedlands]

I don't have any idea, but start with the free/warranty option and see how it proceeds. After they do a fluid change see if it pops up in city driving. Hopefully the fluid change addresses it!

[Conserve]

Report from BMW dealership 6b regarding transmission: did they explain to you why and what they found in their observation to say 'needs immediate attention'? or was it based on your observation and message you are getting and what you told them?

What is your coolant looks like when looking inside coolant reservoir? Is it blue, foamy, semi gel, etc.?

I would start with flushing coolant. Using distilled water and flush it multiple times till is clear and then add antifreeze and then go thru burping cooling system.

Another area to pay attention and inspect is transmission oil cooler. Is it leaking or perhaps is clogged

[GotToSayIt]

Thanks -- I will note these and find out more from the BMW service folks --- I should have asked them the Transmission question --- will update soon

[GotToSayIt]

Update -
took car to the dealer whom i bought it from -- they worked very hard on it --- changed the Tranny oil, a sensor, cleaned out other sensors etc --- NO JOY.

Then they used a 'more expensive' diagnostic tool and we drove around noting the tranny temp --

1. The tranny temp never went above 190
2. We isolated the issue - Only happens within the first 2 miles in STOP GO traffic WITH START STOP ON.
3. Switch off start stop, and the transmission heating light never comes on.
4. As stated before, on long drives, this issue never happened anyway.
5. NO CLUE as to why it happens --- but for now, I have the START STOP switched off ( light is on) and the issue has not resurfaced in past 2 days.

I am not sure I want to sherlock this any further. The message was a false positive because the tranny really wasnt heating up. and now i know what to do so the message also does not come up. I am relatively happy.

[ctcarbonari]

Thank you for updating this thread with results! That helps everybody!

Congratulations on being able to isolate the conditions when the problem occurs. Often times that's half the battle and it's good news that it seems like your transmission is not actually overheating but the problem is probably electrical/sensor related.

As much as I am a proud card carrying member of Team "Kill the Auto Start/Stop Switch", I'd still want mine to be working correctly.

At the end of the day, it seems like the Dealer has given you a workaround rather than an actual fix. I'd be concerned that the problem may manifest itself again when the day comes that I make 5-6 stops in a 1 hr period while out running errands.

You definitely have a bit of a unique malfunction. I suppose its up to you how far you want to go to pursue the situation (i.e. holding the Dealer's feet to the fire to provide an actual fix versus finding an Indy to diagnose & fix vs just living with it and being mostly happy)

Good Luck and congrats on your "new-to-me" Bimmer!

[GotToSayIt]

Hi - Thanks for your note.
I have been pondering about the "workaround vs fix" issue too without reaching any conclusion. Since having the workaround in place, I haven't seen the problem recurring with the Start Stop off. But yes, I guess the core issue does remain.

I know that the dealer will fix it if i insist but my issue is that I have to drive from Seattle to Portland - 200 miles (and potentially stay overnight) to get it fixed-- and I am not inclined to do so yet. If the problem comes up in the Start Stop Off mode too, then I might pursue it.

The local BMW specialists and the BMW dealership charge a LOT to just diagnose the issue.

I am going to drive the next few days with the start stop on -- and see if the issue comes up. There is something wrong somewhere --- a few days back my "Daytime Running Light Malfunction" and " right side blinker malfunction came up. I resisted the urge to fix it knowing that I had driven in torrential rain coming back from Portland when the tranny issue workaround was done --- and thankfully both went away - i guess the moisture was causing the issue. When I told the dealer he promptly shipped me a indicator module free of cost -- they are really good people. Now i have a spare module!!

I have my fingers crossed --- and will update this thread with how things proceed on the tranny front.

Thanks again for your note -- its great to see such good engagement here.

[ctcarbonari]

Originally Posted by GotToSayIt

Hi - Thanks for your note.
I have been pondering about the "workaround vs fix" issue too without reaching any conclusion. Since having the workaround in place, I haven't seen the problem recurring with the Start Stop off. But yes, I guess the core issue does remain.

I know that the dealer will fix it if i insist but my issue is that I have to drive from Seattle to Portland - 200 miles (and potentially stay overnight) to get it fixed-- and I am not inclined to do so yet. If the problem comes up in the Start Stop Off mode too, then I might pursue it.

The local BMW specialists and the BMW dealership charge a LOT to just diagnose the issue.

I am going to drive the next few days with the start stop on -- and see if the issue comes up. There is something wrong somewhere --- a few days back my "Daytime Running Light Malfunction" and " right side blinker malfunction came up. I resisted the urge to fix it knowing that I had driven in torrential rain coming back from Portland when the tranny issue workaround was done --- and thankfully both went away - i guess the moisture was causing the issue. When I told the dealer he promptly shipped me a indicator module free of cost -- they are really good people. Now i have a spare module!!

I have my fingers crossed --- and will update this thread with how things proceed on the tranny front.

Thanks again for your note -- its great to see such good engagement here.

There are some very knowledable people on this forum and most are willing to help!
Let me guess. Portland BMW? or maybe Kuni? (I live in Vancouver, WA)

It would be well worth your while to get yourself a scanner that can read BMW specific codes (not just the generic P codes). Your BMW will store many codes even when they are not presently active. Bimmerlink (bluetooth option w/ phone or tablet), Foxwell (direct hand held scanner, I forget which specific model), or ISTA (Dealer level software that can be "liberated" from the internet and set up on your laptop) are three of the more popular options.

Sounds like you also may have a water ingress issue with your front passenger headlamp assembly and/or corresponding connections. Condensation on F10 headlights is a common(ish) issue and there is a lot of info out there on the subject. Some have done some creative fixes that are MUCH cheaper than replacing the entire headlamp.

I fell your pain @ cost of diagnosing, it's not cheap and the cost can rise quite a bit when chasing down electrical "gremlins".
In my case, shortly after purchasing my "new-to-me" Bimmer I started having intermittant Increased Battery Discharge Issues. (Would only happen during heavy rains and the car sitting idle for at least a couple days. Took awhile to figure that one out). Once I got my hands on a proper scanner it dialed me right in on the issue (comfort access handle, passenger rear, circuit shorting out).

Good Luck!

[GotToSayIt]

I actually bought it from AutoBon Auto on SE Stark st in Portland. Good people. I have
90 day powertrain warranty with them which lasts through end of Feb and so far they have been pretty good and helpful. (they have their own full fledged repair shop too)

The folks here in Bellevue ( BMW of Bellevue and other BMW specialists) are a nightmare to deal with --- and add to that a long wait to even get in to see them on top of the outrageous diagnostic process.

I will look into the scanner - though unfortunately I am a wuss when it comes to DIY on cars. I have purchased a 4 year 48K extended warranty through my credit union --- I know these generally suck, but for now I am sleeping easy.


This is really my first time buying a pre-owned car----always leased brand new ones. Was gonna go for the toyota etc but just could not. Just sold my Alfa Romeo (for a decent profit) after leasing it for 3.5 years and then buying it from them. Best car I have ever driven.

But it needed to go.

Thanks for your guidance.

[b9eeezyy]

Did you ever figure out this issue? I'm having the same issue with my 535i.

[GotToSayIt]

Yes, the issue was fixed. My apologies for not updating
1. I found out that my dealer - Autobon in Portland is a scumbag and scam artist. They had confirmed to me that they changed the tranny oil and updated the software from 2013 to 2023.

2. I too it to BMW Northwest ( Tacoma) and they told me categorically that the tranny oil was old and it had only 25% of required qty. Plus the software was old.

3. Got both fixed -- and issue is fixed.

Hired lawyer to sue the dealer.

Beware -- Autobon of Portland -- they seem like a good place but i have proof that they have lied, committed theft and are scamming people.