Jaybird180

For several months I've been trying to figure out what's wrong with my car.

It started recently and the symptoms are:
No indications of a problem. Park the car. Upon next time, transmission will not go into neutral, therefore it will not start.

First time it happened, about a day later, no problems. Next time, it took a week to resolve. Next time, it was a few hours.

A month ago, I was on my way to work when at about 5-10mph in traffic I got a "Failsafe Warning" and the car then shifted into Neutral. Fortunately for everyone behind me, I was close to the shoulder and was able to get off the road in morning rush hour traffic.

No dealer has been able to reproduce my error. I've taken it to my normal independent shop, BMW dealer and also AAmco transmissions. BMW said "give me $9,000 and we'll fix it - new transmission...and BTW, the clutch is bad, the front struts are bad and the A/C isn't working either"

Ironically, after receiving the diagnosis, A/C would take a long time to kick-in and cool the car.

I'm convinced this is a computer/ electrical problem and that the jostling on a tow-truck causes the loose part (relay, electrical harness) to pass electrons again.

Car is in otherwise, excellent condition. Looking for something to try. I recently got a OBD-USB harness and PC software but haven't tried it yet.

2004 BMW 530i with SMG

Mihainede85

Did you fix it? What was wrong with it?
I got almost same problem on mine... 04 530i smg
I changed the Angle Position Sensor. Problem still there.
I got to the point where i`m thinking is the harness from ECU to the sensor or the connector inside tranny where sensor is attached.

Please let me know what you did with yours.
Thanks.

Jaybird180

I did fix it. It turned out to be the SMG pump. It was replaced.

I now have an issue of the SMG leaking hydraulic fluid. The shop says that the lines will take 1-1/2 weeks to arrive from Germany but no idea where to get the O-rings, which also need to be replaced.

2004 530i also

08-535i sport

Thanks for the post! you are the first one that has mentioned the car going to neutral when driving. I had that happen and the warnings come on, but the car was driving perfectly. After I got gas, all of the warnings were gone and the systems all showed "OK" in iDrive. I drove it the 7 miles home and it drove perfectly but I have not driven it since so it has been sitting for three weeks while monitor this forum for input and others experience before taking it in.

What was the cost on the SMG pump repair? has it continued to run fine?

Jaybird180

The repair has proved effective. I got a new pump for about $360 ish and labor was around $800ish