Pureevil00

Not sure what the problem is nor does the BMW mechanic I use. I have avoided the dealer but trying to figure out before I resort to them.

So, the car is a 2005 545i auto tranny with a little over 100k miles. The problem is when I am driving between 30-50 mph the car pulses. I have read about the tranny hiccup, however it doesn't feel like tranny. I have switched to manual mode and tranny seems to be staying in gear, also when I let off the throttle the pulsing stops. Now this doesn't happen all the time, and when it does, it sometimes is only for a few minute or can last 30min. Over 50mph the car drives like a dream and no problem. Oh, and no engine codes or warning lights. Diagnostics are clean, ideals fine. The pulsing can be best described as the gas turning off and on every 5 seconds. I've also used fuel additive, heat, 91 octane and octane booster with no change. (and different brands of gas over the past 3 months) Traditionally I would say filter, but on this car their is to much computer stuff. Any ideas?

robself705

Maybe try replacing the fuel filter. At that mileage it probably should be anyway. It is about a $120 part as it includes the left fuel sender assembly as well. Search realoem.com for the part number, there is a DIY in the forum for replacement.

Shlooky

I have the same issue. My tranny was low on fluid so I topped it off, it happens less frequently now and learned to live with it. Basically the BMW e60 auto tranny's are the worst ever, plagued with this and other bugs. BMW knows there is a defect but won't acknowledge it.

Pureevil00

How do you top of the tranny fluid? I don't see a dip stick.

Shlooky

A BMW mechanic will know how. There are some DIY's in this forum as well that will help you.

gothicsanta

I too have this problem and had the gearbox completely flushed & refilled and it doesn't solve it. I thought it had made it better initially but after 1,000 miles since I have to admit that it's made no difference.

I've changed most things on the car recently all of which haven't resolved.

The only items I haven't done are the fuel filter and the crankcase breather, so I suspect it is one of these!

So very interested to know if you change the fuel filter and the problem does go away as it is really annoying seeing the rev counter moving on it's own accord

Ducmaniak

I am having similar issues, but I have a manual tranny. I have replaced the crankcase breathers and no change. would be curios to hear if the fuel filter resolves it too.

audia4red

Mechantronics issue that causes the occasional pulsing. It's a BMW design flaw on e60. Like others said, BMW refused to acknowledge it. It's very expensive to fix $4000+ (parts and labor)