Are you having challenges with changing gears in your automatic transmission vehicle? One of the most important subassemblies of your BMW is the automatic transmission or gearbox. This component in your vehicle determines how much power from the engine gets to the wheels and helps you to accelerate properly and manage different road conditions firmly.
The gearboxes that are fitted in modern BMW cars are usually automatic gearboxes (you do not need to step on a clutch to change gears) and they are developed through advanced engineering and are built with precision to deliver high performance. However, like every other mechanical system, they can be faulty and cause failures over a period of time. Let’s see some of the reasons why an automatic gearbox fails in BMW and the best ways to take care of this problem and restore your smooth driving and gear shifting.
Why Do BMW Automatic Gearboxes Fail?
- Contaminated Transmission Fluid: Transmission fluid is used for lubricating, cooling, and for the smooth running of gears in the transmission system. Low or contaminated fluid or fluid that emits a dark, burnt smell can lead to overheating, jerky shifting, and long-term damage to the internal parts of the transmission.
- Wear: As time passes, the clutches and seals of the gearbox get used up and their wear reduces the effectiveness of the gearbox making your BMW to show signs of failure such as slipping gear or delayed shifting.
- Faulty Solenoids: Solenoids control the supply of the transmission fluid to the system. If they should fail or malfunction, the gearbox might have a problem shifting or even get stuck in a given gear.
- Electronic System Failures: The BMW car transmissions that are installed in today’s vehicles depend on the electronics such as the sensors and control modules. Any problem with these systems causes erratic shifting or inability to shift gears when they are supposed to.
- Mechanical Failures: Worn-out gears, bearings, or shafts, can make a loud grinding sound, and your BMW may lose power, or shift roughly when shifting gears. These problems are usually associated with long usage or an abrupt mechanical load.
Possible Solutions to BMW Gearbox Issues
- Inspect Transmission Fluid: Look at the fluid level then check if the condition of the transmission is good, or bad. If the fluid is low or dirty, add more of it or use a fresh BMW-recommended type of transmission fluid depending on the model of the car.
- Perform Diagnostic Scan: Connect a professional scan tool to the vehicle’s port to check and read the stored codes. This will enable the identification of any electronic or mechanical problem with a lot of accuracy.
- Replace Faulty Components: Replace worn out or faulty components including solenoids, sensors, or clutch. Original BMW parts are foolproof and can be trusted to fit the car for a long time.
- Reprogram the Transmission: Most electronically related problems can be fixed by reprogramming or even resetting the TCM. This resets the system back to the factory setting and helps get the best out of the gearbox.
- Consult Professional Technician: Gearbox repair is a complicated job that may need some expertise and equipment to get it fixed correctly. You should take your BMW to a mechanic who will be able to identify the cause of failure and correct it.
You Can Count On Us At European Service Center For Accurate Gearbox Repairs
Gearbox issues can be quite a nightmare to fix but you don’t have to struggle alone with it because there are professionals out there who are trained for the job. If you are in need of expert BMW gearbox repairs, then you should trust us at European Service Center. Our expert mechanics have ample experience in identifying and solving automatic gearbox problems so your car can drive as good as new.
We perform accurate diagnostics and install only the best spare parts for your vehicle. You can come to any of our state-of-the-art facilities in Texas or Georgia where we cater to drivers from Norcross, Duluth, Alpharetta, Chamblee, Dunwoody, Buckhead, Cumming, Atlanta, Roswell, GA; Houston & Dallas, TX. Whether it is a routine refilling of the fluid or an overhaul of the whole gearbox, rest assured we deliver the task with efficiency and accuracy. Call us today to make an appointment and let us bring your BMW transmission back to life.