1993 325is

I started my car this morning, an amber light with a gear and exclamation point came on. I figured I would drive to work (short drive) get online, see what it was and make a few calls - I was able to reverse out of my garage just fine, however when put into drive, it was extremely slow and tough to move, so I pulled back into the garage and drove my Jeep to work. Anyone have an idea what this indicator light means? I am thinking transmission by the way it handled...- I dont have the original owners manual... I would like to have a few thoughts before taking it to a mechanic and being at their mercy by not knowing at all what the light means.... The car is 14 years old, but only has 110K....

thanks!

Reply to
blondehoudini
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"blondehoudini" wrote

It's the transmission program light. Time for a new/rebuilt tranny.

FloydR

Reply to
Floyd Rogers

This is often a symptom of low voltage supply to the tranny. I've heard of it being fixed by a new battery / voltage regulator / cleaning the connectors.

Reply to
John Burns

Hi

Don't worry too much. I have had my E38 740i laid up for a few weeks and went to start it the other day.

Very slow crank speed.... low battery!

When running dash warning = auto trans in emergency mode

drive down the road - no dash indicators, no mileage, no trip, no temperature, no service test.

3 miles on stop and restart.

No trans warning and all dash functions Ok. Another 10 miles and battery appears charged.

Will take for another "round the town run today just to keep it nice".

BTW if anyone in the UK want an E38 740i with 120K on a new engine it yours for

3250K gb pounds (bought a new one)

Steve

Reply to
Oscar

The transmission has gone into limp home mode where there are no automatic gear changes and it starts and stays in IIRC 4th gear. Might be 3rd if a four speed transmission. Which accounts for the sluggish take off in drive.

The symbol is transmission failure.

However, did the engine start normally? If the battery/charging circuit is faulty so the transmission is getting low volts this is one of the symptoms. Dirty connections to the gearbox electrics etc can also be a reason.

You need to find a BMW specialist to check things and avoid being ripped off by the 'replace everything' merchants.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

engine started normally - after my post in the morning...I was home after work and started it up again and no problems...no light..beings it is intermittent, perhaps I do need to check battery connections and gearbox electrics connections...(new to the car...where would I find the connection so the gearbox electrics?)

Reply to
blondehoudini

First "Wiggle" or remove and replace all the relays and fuses you can find checking for corrosion and broken fuses at the same time.

G/B connections under the car but ECU usually under seats or dash or engine bay.

Reply to
Oscar

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