Why want my transmission let my car go over 20 to 25 mile and hour

Tiny
DAVIDDLW
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 BMW 325I
  • 210,000 MILES
I have a 1994 bmw 325i automatic sedan with about 210000 miles on it. When driving car it will change out of first gear and if you are going 20 or alittle more milea and hour the car will just not go any faster but you can hear the engine and rpms going up. It sounds like the transmission went into limp mode. I was told maybe car needed a tcm for the transmission so I bought a second hand one and installed it but var stills doing the samething. The transmission is the exact same model and as then old one. What else do I need to do on this car to get it to run correctly?
Monday, April 16th, 2012 AT 10:33 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
If the RPM's are going up, the transmission is most likely slipping. Most common cause is a bad clutch pack (worn out). If the TCM didn't change anything, the trans needs to come out and inspected.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012 AT 12:55 AM
Tiny
DAVIDDLW
  • MEMBER
  • 39 POSTS
Ok,
I have read on some post on different boards on some other people bmw that has the problems like I got and when the clutch thing happens do all the transmissions act the same way and all I have read the other bmws only get up to 20 to 25 miles and hour before it stops excellarating or going into limp mode.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012 AT 2:12 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
No, not all are the same. However, what you described to me sounds that way to me.

I wish I had a better answer for you.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012 AT 2:13 AM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Limp mode should not slip. It would just stay in a specific gear. Probably second.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012 AT 2:37 AM
Tiny
DAVIDDLW
  • MEMBER
  • 39 POSTS
Hi fixitmr,
I am glad you said that about the second gear it will be in limp mode. Lets say my car will on take off in second gear, what can I do to fix this problem on a 1995 vw passat. Bought a used tcm for that also and no change. Any suggestion
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012 AT 1:08 PM
Tiny
DAVIDDLW
  • MEMBER
  • 39 POSTS
I just got another dash symbol this morning it is a yellow cog like crcle with a yellow explamation mark in the middle of the cog circle. I need to know if this symbol represents a bad tcm or a bad transmission.
I know I can take the trans out and take to a mechanic but I need know what is wrong so if I can fix or at least know when I take to a shop so I do not get hosed.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, April 18th, 2012 AT 2:41 PM
Tiny
DAVIDDLW
  • MEMBER
  • 39 POSTS
Well I guess since you got paid you are in no hurry to answer anymore questions. This board should be like the just answer board, they only get paid when your problem is solved or satisfied with help. I paid this so called expert to tell me I need to take my transmission to a get it checked. I could have done that without asking for help from this site. That is the whole point to asking mechanical question hers so you can try to fox problem on own without taking auto to a shop ang getting hosed. I will be taking my other problems somewhere else. Thanks for nothing.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 19th, 2012 AT 12:41 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi, since he answered, I let him go ahead. As far as the trans, are there any codes that you can pull from the computer? Limp mode is designed to get you home or to a shop only.

Let me know about the codes and if you have checked.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 19th, 2012 AT 12:49 AM
Tiny
DAVIDDLW
  • MEMBER
  • 39 POSTS
I do not know how to get codes and there is no obdll on car. But there is a symbol on instrument cluster which looks like a yellow round cog with a yellow exclamation mark in the middle of the cog. How do I pull codes I do not have a owners manual with this car.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 19th, 2012 AT 3:15 AM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Yes need to get codes read to determine source of issue. You will likely have to pay to have this done.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, April 21st, 2012 AT 5:21 AM
Tiny
TFOTSO 20012
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I have engine light on in bmw 325i what going
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, January 3rd, 2019 AT 10:55 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Welcome back:

If the check engine light is on, then there are diagnostic trouble codes stored in the computer. Here is a quick video showing how it's done:

https://youtu.be/YV3TRZwer8k

Now I realize most people don't own a scanner. However, based on where you are located, often times parts stores will do it for free or they will rent you a scanner.

Once you have that done, let us know the codes.

Take care,
Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, January 4th, 2019 AT 7:39 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Transmission Computer TCM Content

VIEW MORE