I have a 2004 530i with 120k miles. When I drive in steptronic manual mode and punch it hard in 2nd gear, around 3,000 rpms the car either slips into 3rd gear or the dreaded Transmission Malfunction light comes on.

All other gears are fine and completely smooth, upshifting and downshifting with no issues.

I've already flushed the trans fluid, not sure what else to do. Help!

 

As much as ZF would like you to believe, your 6HP19 transmission is not meant to go 'banging through the gears' like a Hollinger crash-box.

It's an automatic transmission, and that's all it will ever be. If I were you, I'd either let it function as an automatic transmission or find a car with a manual gearbox.

good luck with the car (this post is not meant to offend)

 

I put mine in DS and drove it hard..transmission error fault came on...brought it to my mechanic and he plugged in the diagnostics..

This is what i got



Suggest you do the diagnostics...for sure it will show what kind of error the car is experiancing...
In my case, my mechanic suggest me changing the solenoids n solenoids accumulators..
More money......

 

Looks more like clutch slip to me. The gear ratio monitoring picked up that the output shaft wasn't spinning as fast as it should for the given gear and engine speed.

I agree with KyleB. Drive the car like a normal automatic and leave the punching and driving hard for a car with a more durable (and less expensive!) transmission...especially as the years and mileage rack up.

 

mine did the same smh lol i was scared shitless when it happened and i prob wont do it again but just stick to the "D" on the gearshift

 

Thanks everyone for the tips. I think it's time to get someone to throw a computer on it to see what the deal is. I'm wondering if it's something as simple as a coil pack? Why would this only happen in 2nd gear?

 

when you are able to retrieve fault codes, post what you found.

the VAST majority of shifting problems in these ZFs transmissions seem to be able to be cured with varying combinations of solenoids/fluids/mechatronic seals.

I had 4F85 crop up on my last week. Already have pan, fluid, and sealing sleeve. I'm going to keep driving the car and see if it comes back. If it does, I'll be investing in a new set of solenoids. '04 530i, 103K.

 

A bad eccentric sensor , crank positioning sensor can throw a transmission error and lock u in safe mode .