Transmission slipage when cold

[Boston Bimmer]

Just bought a 2004 330xi, and have had problems when car is cold. When starting off in first gear, it would take at least 15 seconds for the transmisson to engage. Called dealer, inital response was that it was very cold in Boston( 0-10 degrees at night) and that it improves with warming up the car. Well, I called the service manager after reading this forum, told him the problem and asked him when he was going to replace the tranny. No problem, bring in car to verify problem, as tranny to be then ordered from factory.
For now, starting off in M1 does help..

Will keep you updated

 

[outpost22]

Welcome to the Sliptronic club. Read this thread:

http://www.bmwboard.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2959

 

[PhatBimmer]

BMWBoard should make an announcement on the main page for people who have problems w/ there StepTronic that way they dont clutter us [fake] j/k. but seriously good luck w/ that

 

[audi4t]

my wifes 2004 325xi wagon has same problem 900 miles will be calling dealer tomorrow

my new Z4 (steptronic) also about 900 miles is perfect no such Slippage is this a different transmission?

TIA

Kevin

 

[RuflessPhilly]

What month build was your car? I questioned BMWNA before I ordered my car in Dec. They assured me that the problem has been identified and thus corrected as of Oct builds.

 

[audi4t]

my wifes car was built October 2003 !!!!!!

 

[Boston Bimmer]

UPDATE ON Sliptronic

Update on my tranny problem. Left car at dealer last night, let the service manager move the car first thing this am. Overnight temperature in the teens. Problem manifested as described.
New tranny on order.
Interestingly, i was told problem is well known, and that it was a "pump problem" Althought my dealer is taking care of the issue, i am not happy they sold me a car they knew could have a problem, as i only bought the car 1 month ago !

I hope this fixes it[???1]

 

[LarryE]

Re: UPDATE ON Sliptronic

Update on my tranny problem. Left car at dealer last night, let the service manager move the car first thing this am. Overnight temperature in the teens. Problem manifested as described.
New tranny on order.
Interestingly, i was told problem is well known, and that it was a "pump problem" Althought my dealer is taking care of the issue, i am not happy they sold me a car they knew could have a problem, as i only bought the car 1 month ago !

I hope this fixes it[???1]

What's your build date?

 

[LarryE]

Another question for your Boston Bimmer: When you say "When starting off in first gear, it would take at least 15 seconds for the transmisson to engage", can you describe exactly what you mean? What happens when you shift into "D" and press on the accelerator? No forward movement at all? Some forward movement?

 

[bb964]

What Boston dealer are you dealing with

What Boston dealer are you dealing with. I called Wagnor and Gallery and got two different stories regarding this problem:

Gallery - problem is due to “C clutch leak down”
Wagnor - problem is due to "Transmission fluid"

Decided to wait until they really figure this out

 

[Boston Bimmer]

update #2

The car was taken off the boat in late December 03, where do i look for the actual build date?

Interestingly, on the sticker it CLEARLY states in the upper right hand corner that the transmission was made in FRANCE, which i gather is the offending site of origin. I wish I had a reason to visit this site earlier.....

As far as the actual slipage problem, when cold and first moving forward in D, the car creeps forward at 5 mph, with the rpms at 2-3 thousand for 15 or so seconds. Then it slowly grabs. Now the service manager said to put in in M1 to start for now until fixed, and this does work, with only a slight hesitation ( 1-2 seconds) until you go forward normally.

Be carefull - I drove across a parking lot for at least 1/8th of a mile after warming the car up, and pull onto a busy street in D and was nearly rear- ended because I could not accelerate
VERY SCARY

Interesting that another thread on this site was responded to by a BMWNA representative, if you are reading this, I would like to be contacted.

As far as Boston area dealers, I am taking mine to Foreign Motors West, and they are treating me professionally so far.....new tranny not available for a few weeks

 

[LarryE]

Re: update #2

The car was taken off the boat in late December 03, where do i look for the actual build date?

Interestingly, on the sticker it CLEARLY states in the upper right hand corner that the transmission was made in FRANCE, which i gather is the offending site of origin. I wish I had a reason to visit this site earlier.....

As far as the actual slipage problem, when cold and first moving forward in D, the car creeps forward at 5 mph, with the rpms at 2-3 thousand for 15 or so seconds. Then it slowly grabs. Now the service manager said to put in in M1 to start for now until fixed, and this does work, with only a slight hesitation ( 1-2 seconds) until you go forward normally.

Be carefull - I drove across a parking lot for at least 1/8th of a mile after warming the car up, and pull onto a busy street in D and was nearly rear- ended because I could not accelerate
VERY SCARY

Interesting that another thread on this site was responded to by a BMWNA representative, if you are reading this, I would like to be contacted.

Build date on inside of driver's door.



As far as Boston area dealers, I am taking mine to Foreign Motors West, and they are treating me professionally so far.....new tranny not available for a few weeks

 

[William330]

This sounds like a cold-related problem, not a tranny problem.

My old car (300ZX) did the same thing in very cold weather.

 

[gbf1lm]

This sounds like a cold-related problem, not a tranny problem.

My old car (300ZX) did the same thing in very cold weather.

it hink that may be it too . . .


when dad lived in montana said, ppl would start their cars, then go back inside and eat breakfast and get ready, and then come out and leave. otherwise when u put in in drive when its too cold, car stalls. dont know if thats related or not.

 

[Kirby]

This is the classic SLIPTronic problem, I know all too well, I have had 2 transmissions in 4 months .