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I got that message when my Mechatronics plug was loose (the car can no longer talk to it, so it can't tell if the brake is engaged or not). This happened when I didn't get the Mechatronics tube fully inserted (it's VERY easy to do, and has happened to more than a few of us here). Look at the lockring on the connector - if it's more than 2-3mm from the transmission housing, you will need to drop the tranny pan and re-seat that tube.
Here's a photo of what it should look like (on an xi, so access was difficult)...
thanks i have been under the car to check the mechatronic plug but never looked at the distance i just looked if the connection itself was snug, i will have a look again. i really hope that i can fit it without dropping the pan again because that was a shitshow.
Really the hardest part of the job was getting the plug back on - but that's because my car is an -xi, and the plug is REALLY hidden by all the extra hardware.
If you do find the lockring to transmission housing distance is too large, the trick (after dropping the pan - sorry) is to use some leverage to get the tube fully inserted. Better yet, pull it out, lube the O-rings with a schmear of Vasoline and reinsert it (again, using some leverage - I used an 18" 1x2 which seemed to be about perfect for the job). The first time I did the job I read on the 'net (so it MUST be true) that if you can push down the locking tab, the tube is fully inserted. Nope.
The first time I did the job I read on the 'net (so it MUST be true) that if you can push down the locking tab, the tube is fully inserted. Nope.
I learned that lesson as well. I thought when the locking tab engages, you got it made. Uh nope, not with BMWs. Now, I make sure connections are literally flush. One time, I had a connector off by 1mm and my car wasn't happy. I mean, it was a connection but an intermittent one. After I re-seated the plug, all has been well.
I learned that lesson as well. I thought when the locking tab engages, you got it made. Uh nope, not with BMWs. Now, I make sure connections are literally flush. One time, I had a connector off by 1mm and my car wasn't happy. I mean, it was a connection but an intermittent one. After I re-seated the plug, all has been well.
I learned that lesson as well. I thought when the locking tab engages, you got it made. Uh nope, not with BMWs. Now, I make sure connections are literally flush. One time, I had a connector off by 1mm and my car wasn't happy. I mean, it was a connection but an intermittent one. After I re-seated the plug, all has been well.
hahaha i guess that we all thought that when the locking tab moved into place that the connection was good.
I sure did (and read as much on a helpful DIY page). Having the valve body out on my bench and test-fitting it was instructional. It took a really surprising amount of pressure to fully seat the Mechatronics tube with the O-ring "dry". Then I did the same with a schmear of Vasoline on the O-rings, and it took MUCH less pressure to seat it. Even so, I do recommend using some sort of lever to put extra pressure on the tube, just to make doubly certain it's REALLY seated (a whole lotta extra time and effort if it isn't).
Just a thank you to anyone who replied, today i finally got around to get the car on jackstands and take a look, with the help of everyone above i noticed that my mechatronics sleeve was indeed sticking out way more than in pictures of others. I undid the plug and tried to pry it in with a prybar. You wouldnt believe how happy i was when the sleeve actually gave a little. Reconnected everything and took it for a wide open throttle run on the autobahn. No transmission errors, no sport mode cutting out, everything just working like it should. Heres how far it was sticking out
thanks i have been under the car to check the mechatronic plug but never looked at the distance i just looked if the connection itself was snug, i will have a look again. i really hope that i can fit it without dropping the pan again because that was a shitshow.
i would not have come up with the idea that the sleeve was not inserted far enough if it wasnt for u, thank your sir.
Congrats on finding the problem, though I'm about to rain on your parade a bit.
Pushing in the connector harder is fine and well, and probably (temporarily) made contact with the plug... but it's not gonna stay that way. The only real fix is to drop the pan, pull the locking tab down, and THEN push the Mechatronics tube fully into place... THEN push the locking tab up.
The good news is that it'll give you the opportunity to change out another batch of tranny fluid (since you can only drain so much each time), leaving you with even fresher, cleaner fluid.
And FWIW, I'm not sure if it's possible that you damaged the locking mechanism by prying the plug in. I've never seen that done, and really don't think it's likely to be a permanent fix - and may have damaged the locking mechanism (which will have been lined up holding the "wrong tabs: on the Mechatronics plug. SO... if you DON'T pull the pan and reset the tube, DO let us know what happens. ;-)
04-22-2023, 11:09 AM
