1993 BMW 525 first gear was slipping, changed gearbox major

JEDIMINDTRIKS

MEMBER
1993 BMW 525
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

Its a 525TDS.

first gear was slipping, changed the entire gearbox (since it was cheaper then getting the first gear)

after we changed the gearbox the car seemed to work fine in air, but the next day the car wouldnt set into gear at all, tried Park, 2, 3, neutral, and nothing happens,

the gearcable is moving when im changing gears, but still nothing, as if the car is in neutral the entire time except for when the car is in park, then the brake works and the wheels cant be rotated by hand.

we filled the tranny with oil and still nothing, we even tried to overfill it, but still nothing.

5 Replies

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,601 POSTS

This is a can of worms here. You have really stepped in it mate. The problem might well be compatibility with the electronics. If you installed the wrong tranny, there is a software issue and the problem might need professional help. Sorry to be a downer, but you asked.

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Monday, April 13th, 2009 AT 4:23 AM

JEDIMINDTRIKS

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Thanks for the reply, the tranny is for the exact same car and model.

No problem that it didnt fit, didnt take us long to take the tranny off in the first place and we can get our money back so:)

so it might that the software is incompatible even if its the same tranny? And any recommendations on what we can try to do?

Note that it worked the first time after we changed it, and the next day it stopped working

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Monday, April 13th, 2009 AT 7:14 AM

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,601 POSTS

There are so many variables that it would be unlikely that we could set on a course of action from where we are right now, with the information at hand. Can you or do you have a BMW mechanic with the proper diagnostic equipment in your city? This might also be a wiring issue, be aware of and inspect the wiring and the connectors and the selector switch on the side of the tranny. There may also be contamination from the tranny cooler if it was not flushed.

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Monday, April 13th, 2009 AT 10:40 AM

JEDIMINDTRIKS

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Thanks again for the quick reply :)

cabling and everything seemes to be ok

well we didnt flush it, but were wondering if there is a problem with air still being in the tranny that might be causing this, and we didnt find a suitable way to vent the air out of the system, you have a solution for this?

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Monday, April 13th, 2009 AT 1:04 PM

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,601 POSTS

Air wont be an issue, but low fluid level could cause some mischief, is the fluid level correct? Check it with the engine running and at a temperature between 30 to 50 C.