1992 BMW 525i trans slipping?

KIERNAN

MEMBER
1992 BMW 525I
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
293,000 MILES

The is having a problem getting up to speed and there. When I give it gas it revs the engine but the power does not seem to transfer to the wheels. The previous owner had good records and I can see that the Trans was swapped out at 230k miles. The engine is generating plenty of power. I am hoping there is some cheap fix. When the car gets up to speed it holds it well there is just no torque getting there. All suggestions welcomed.

Saturday, September 19th, 2009 AT 12:53 PM

7 Replies

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,603 POSTS

It sounds like the transmission is possibly stuck in the limp home mode or perhaps there may be an issue with the torque converter or it may need a replacement force motor chip for the EGS. Repost with the last 7 of the VIN and I will see if the part number comes up.

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Sunday, September 20th, 2009 AT 10:16 AM

KIERNAN

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Last 7 digits are GD21064. When you say stuck in Limp Home mode that is a good description. So lonmg as go easy on the gas and do not need to go over 40mph I am fine. I did loose all power on the freeway @ 1month ago, but I pulled over turned off, started again and than all was well.

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Sunday, September 20th, 2009 AT 5:47 PM

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,603 POSTS

We are going to need to go deeper into this issue. The EGS brain is in the E-box, on the right side, under hood, in the square box with the four Phillips screws at the corners. Open it up and there are two "brains" one for the engine and one for the transmission. I need all of those numbers on those stickers on both of those boxes.

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Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 AT 9:34 PM

KIERNAN

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Car is driving back to normal. Fearing all cylinders were not getting spark or mis fireing, I changed spark plugs. When changing 3 of 6 had the points corroded to small nubs or gone all together. Once changed I took on a drive at first there was still the same problem. Than with a bit of a shake a cloud of smoke and a mighty ho yoh silver (its a silver BMW) the car took off under normal power and Torque. I questioned a couple of gear heads(I am just a Hack) and they said it could have been a blocked catylitic converter. What do you think? And should I still get you those numbers?

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Thursday, September 24th, 2009 AT 8:03 PM

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,603 POSTS

I live by the saying: If it aint broke, dont fix it. If it seems OK now, drive it for a while and see. The chip may not be needed at this time. Blocked cat seems unlikely, fresh plugs can make a difference, as you may be experiencing now. Also when was the O2 sensor last replaced? Actually, that's a rhetorical question. If anything changes, catastrophically or otherwise, you be sure to let me know. � � �

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Thursday, September 24th, 2009 AT 11:20 PM

KIERNAN

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Well the car ran fine for 3 or 4 months. In mid january I started the BMW wagon and it started right away but rough. Since than it hasn't started again. I figured because I did not run it long enough the day I started it that I drained the charge. Have charged, checked the plugs, it turns over but seems to get no spark Wgat do I do. Dr Haggerty are you out there

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Thursday, April 1st, 2010 AT 6:35 PM

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,603 POSTS

Something seems to have degraded since you ran the car. Is the battery fully charged and can it turn the engine over at the normal cranking speed? You say there is no spark, is there a fuel injector signal? Test the injector with a 3 watt light bulb, plug in into the connector for a fuel injector and crank the motor, it should flash. If not, there is either no crank position signal or no power to the injectors. Start with the basics and we will go from there.

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Friday, April 2nd, 2010 AT 10:17 AM