Hi all,

For a couple of thousands kilometers now, I can feel a vibration in the transmission at low RPM (1300 - 1800 rpm), at low speed, when I'm accelerating.
It is not happening everytime, but with the automatic gear box, it's not easy to get back into the same exact condition (speed, rpm, gear..) to get the phenomena happening.

I went to see my BMW dealer, and we went for a drive (me driving, the technician on the passenger seat). I could get the phenomena happen, and he found it strange.
Then we went back to the garage and lift it up to take a look under. Nothing noticable so far.

I though about the gearbox suspension (silent block...), but its quite difficult to see without unmounting the exhaust ans the heat protection.
The guy was thinking about maybe the torque converter, but was not sure at all.

I've never had the gearbox serviced (oil change), but I'm thinking about that to be done first.

Anyone would have experienced this phenomena ?

thanks

Etienne

(535D E61 2006 with 225.000Km)

 

Hi Etienne,

Never experienced this myself (535d with 210,000Km) but I have used the gearbox reset function regularly, certainly worth a try - do a search for it.

Good luck, let us know if it works.
Mike

 

Thanks Mike,

I've tried this "gearbox reset" sequence, without any effect. I do not know if it has even done the reset function !

Cheers

Etienne

 

Hi Etienne,

Yes, I never heard the 'click' that is referred to in the instructions but it did affect the gearchanges.

Just for reference, my sequence is to put the key to position one (dashband lights on / engine off) and push the accelerator to the floor for 30 seconds. It made the gearchanges less 'jerky', especially at lower speeds.

Can't think of any other helpful hints, I hope you find a solution.

Let us know if you do,
Mike

 

So,

I've had an appointment to unmount the full exhaust and heatshield, in order to check-out all the transmission elements (silent blocks,...)

Result: everything's ok.

So the problem is in the gear box itself.

Since these vibrations appeared, it got worse, and now, I drive only in DS mode, so that the engine stays above 2000rpm most of the time.

The strange thing is that if I push heavily and make a strong acceleration up to 4500rpm, no problem at all. All this make me feel that the problem is not the gears themselves, but the internal regulation of the gearbox (mechatronic, and so).

Anyhow, I purchased a second hand gearbox (2000,00 euros - 65.000km) and BMW will put it on next 22nd of august.

Then, I'll be knowing if that was the problem.

(FYI, the car has now 242.000KM)

 

Did you make it , with this "new" gearbox? i have the same problem , but my mechanic said that is mechatronic and the torque converter...so , i expect to change my gearbox , too....

 

I Just get my 535D back, with gearbox changed.

works as a new one ! smooth, no vibrations anymore, just perfect. It is a second hand gearbox, with 63.000km done on it.

But... each transmission rod is loosing some grease (on both rear wheels), the battery is getting old, the rear shock absorbers are now leaking, there is a shortcut that happened into a rear lamp,... the car is getting old.

I forgot to tell that they had to change also the exhaust collector (cast iron part that is collecting the fumes out of the engine). It was severely cracked (almost cut in two parts)

Although I love this car, it seems to age quite quickly, in respect to what I experience with mercedes.

 

Just for those who have to change their gearbox on a 535D:

My car is 02/2006 so the gearbox is a GA6HP26Z, with BMW part number: 24 00 7 560 465
this gearbox was installed from 10/05 on the 535D (200KW)

The one I bough is also a GA6HP26Z, but with BMW part number: 24 00 7 544 599
this gearbox was installed up to 10/05, on same cars.

The difference is only related to software. They told me that they had to "reprogram" some informations into the system of the car. there was no mechanical issues.

cheers

Etienne