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2010 35i sudden loss of power, code 5A53
- enzed4
- Lifer
- Posts: 3033
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 9:23 am
- Location: New Zealand
2010 35i sudden loss of power, code 5A53
I'm starting this thread to document a problem I had today and hopefully any fix that might be applied.
A bit of info:
2010 35i, 84500km, MHD tune stage 1+, 5" FMIC, BMS POD filters (I know, I know - they were on the car when I bought it ).
Cool day today - 14C so no issues with temps (oil temp was around 110C).
I was following another vehicle at around 90km/h, I put the transmission shift lever into the manual mode (I usually just have the button selector set for Sport, but today it was in 'Normal') pulled out and put the foot down about 90%, not flat to the floor.
Almost immediately power seemed to cut dramatically, it felt worse than no turbo boost, but that could just be my imagination, so at this stage I'll just assume no boost. I 'think' I heard a warning 'bong', looked down at the dash and saw what I think was a 'sprocket' symbol (a quick look online tonight and the closest match I can find indicated a transmission fault). I pulled back into traffic and carried on until I could pull over. I then tried several runs from stopped, or rolling slowly, to full boost and had no problems at all - I couldn't reproduce the fault.
When I got home I did a DME scan with the MHD software (I have Carly as well but haven't checked it yet - I don't think it would show anything different) and it showed NO current fault, and nothing in the history that I didn't already know about or have fixed.
So - any ideas what this might have been? Troubleshooting steps? I could flash it back to stock, but if it's a trans problem this won't help. I would like to identify the cause before throwing any fixes at it.
Apologies for the long-winded post, but usually people give little info to go on so maybe this will be more helpful.
Thanks.
A bit of info:
2010 35i, 84500km, MHD tune stage 1+, 5" FMIC, BMS POD filters (I know, I know - they were on the car when I bought it ).
Cool day today - 14C so no issues with temps (oil temp was around 110C).
I was following another vehicle at around 90km/h, I put the transmission shift lever into the manual mode (I usually just have the button selector set for Sport, but today it was in 'Normal') pulled out and put the foot down about 90%, not flat to the floor.
Almost immediately power seemed to cut dramatically, it felt worse than no turbo boost, but that could just be my imagination, so at this stage I'll just assume no boost. I 'think' I heard a warning 'bong', looked down at the dash and saw what I think was a 'sprocket' symbol (a quick look online tonight and the closest match I can find indicated a transmission fault). I pulled back into traffic and carried on until I could pull over. I then tried several runs from stopped, or rolling slowly, to full boost and had no problems at all - I couldn't reproduce the fault.
When I got home I did a DME scan with the MHD software (I have Carly as well but haven't checked it yet - I don't think it would show anything different) and it showed NO current fault, and nothing in the history that I didn't already know about or have fixed.
So - any ideas what this might have been? Troubleshooting steps? I could flash it back to stock, but if it's a trans problem this won't help. I would like to identify the cause before throwing any fixes at it.
Apologies for the long-winded post, but usually people give little info to go on so maybe this will be more helpful.
Thanks.
Last edited by enzed4 on Wed May 26, 2021 7:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
Gone: 2010 35i DCT
Gone: 2008 2.5Si Sport
- Chippie
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2320
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2019 9:11 pm
- Location: Wakefield
2010 35i sudden loss of power, no codes
This may not be of any help but could it have been the traction control killing the power, as there was no fault code stored then perhaps there isn’t a fault?
E89 35is space grey Kansas coral red leather
- Smartbear
- Lifer
- Posts: 13685
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
- Location: a barn in Somerset
2010 35i sudden loss of power, no codes
Could the clutches have started to slip & the car cut power to protect them?
Rob
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold
- enzed4
- Lifer
- Posts: 3033
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 9:23 am
- Location: New Zealand
2010 35i sudden loss of power, no codes
I have seen the DSC/Traction control symbol flashing before and it definitely wasn't that. I was also in too high a gear to lose traction just by putting the foot down - the road was dry and had good grip. I also believe the traction control just tells you there's loss of traction, while trying to apply very minimal braking to get grip back to the driving wheels - it doesn't cut power as far as I'm aware. Thanks for the suggestion.
Gone: 2010 35i DCT
Gone: 2008 2.5Si Sport
- enzed4
- Lifer
- Posts: 3033
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 9:23 am
- Location: New Zealand
2010 35i sudden loss of power, no codes
This is what I'm worried about. If the DCT is starting to fail, what are my options? Would a flush/service fix this or could it be more serious (expensive), ie failing components?
Gone: 2010 35i DCT
Gone: 2008 2.5Si Sport
- Smartbear
- Lifer
- Posts: 13685
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
- Location: a barn in Somerset
2010 35i sudden loss of power, no codes
They might only be slipping because of the additional power going through them, i think there’s a software patch that increases the clamping force on the clutch packs?
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold
- enzed4
- Lifer
- Posts: 3033
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 9:23 am
- Location: New Zealand
2010 35i sudden loss of power, no codes
I wonder where one would get that patch?Smartbear wrote: ↑Sat May 22, 2021 11:08 pmThey might only be slipping because of the additional power going through them, i think there’s a software patch that increases the clamping force on the clutch packs?
Rob
Gone: 2010 35i DCT
Gone: 2008 2.5Si Sport
- enuff_zed
- Lifer
- Posts: 14686
- Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2016 11:05 am
- Location: Attleborough, Norfolk
2010 35i sudden loss of power, no codes
Worth trying to repeat it, with the lever pushed over, then again but leave the lever lone and select Sport.
May help to isolate the issue a little. Possibly an electrical gremlin instigated by moving the lever?
May help to isolate the issue a little. Possibly an electrical gremlin instigated by moving the lever?
- Smartbear
- Lifer
- Posts: 13685
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
- Location: a barn in Somerset
2010 35i sudden loss of power, no codes
I think some remaps incorporate higher clamping force on the clutch packs, an n54 expert will be along soon (R.E92)
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2552
- Joined: Fri May 26, 2017 3:40 pm
- Location: Plymouth
2010 35i sudden loss of power, no codes
If traction control is activated you get an error code and the dash light will flash as its engaging. Like many codes generated though it is not an ERROR code in itself
Mark
Plymouth
E89
35i
Carmine Red
Black leather
Plymouth
E89
35i
Carmine Red
Black leather
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2552
- Joined: Fri May 26, 2017 3:40 pm
- Location: Plymouth
2010 35i sudden loss of power, no codes
New clutch pack if they are slipping, a slipping wet clutch burns the oil as well - if this is the case i hope you have a good warranty.............
Mark
Plymouth
E89
35i
Carmine Red
Black leather
Plymouth
E89
35i
Carmine Red
Black leather
- Zforbes
- Member
- Posts: 415
- Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2020 10:12 pm
- Location: Ribble Valley
2010 35i sudden loss of power, no codes
Are you sure it's gearbox related?
The reason I ask is a friend had a similar problem, loss of power when a accelerating hard shortly after a remap. It turned out that the fuel injectors couldn't provide the amount of fuel the remap was asking for. His choice was either to upgrade the injectors or downgrade the map. It took a while to find it as it didn't happen every time, took it back to the remap garage and never had a problem since.
Wasn't a z4 but one to bare in mind.
The reason I ask is a friend had a similar problem, loss of power when a accelerating hard shortly after a remap. It turned out that the fuel injectors couldn't provide the amount of fuel the remap was asking for. His choice was either to upgrade the injectors or downgrade the map. It took a while to find it as it didn't happen every time, took it back to the remap garage and never had a problem since.
Wasn't a z4 but one to bare in mind.
E89 sDrive 35is Titan Silver Kansas Black Leather
- R.E92
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1644
- Joined: Wed Dec 04, 2013 10:10 am
2010 35i sudden loss of power, no codes
Sprocket symbol is a transmission fault.
Sounds like an over temperature fault but you would need to scan the gearbox for codes. You can do that with something like INPA or ISTA on a laptop or using the Pro Tool app.
An over temperature fault is often triggered by clutch slip which in turn is usually a result of low transmission fluid. I'd check the trans for any leaks.
Clutch slip from too much torque is also a cause but you're nowhere near the limits with MHD stage 1. The DCT can hold about 600nm in standard form and over 700nm with an xHP transmission tune.
Sounds like an over temperature fault but you would need to scan the gearbox for codes. You can do that with something like INPA or ISTA on a laptop or using the Pro Tool app.
An over temperature fault is often triggered by clutch slip which in turn is usually a result of low transmission fluid. I'd check the trans for any leaks.
Clutch slip from too much torque is also a cause but you're nowhere near the limits with MHD stage 1. The DCT can hold about 600nm in standard form and over 700nm with an xHP transmission tune.
- enzed4
- Lifer
- Posts: 3033
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 9:23 am
- Location: New Zealand
2010 35i sudden loss of power, no codes
Thanks, I have INPA but its setup for the e85. I have the e89 daten files but never got around to getting it working. Looks like this may be a good reason to. I assume it will store shadow codes for the trans same as other modules? I'll also see about checking for any leaks underneath.R.E92 wrote: ↑Mon May 24, 2021 7:08 pm Sprocket symbol is a transmission fault.
Sounds like an over temperature fault but you would need to scan the gearbox for codes. You can do that with something like INPA or ISTA on a laptop or using the Pro Tool app.
An over temperature fault is often triggered by clutch slip which in turn is usually a result of low transmission fluid. I'd check the trans for any leaks.
Clutch slip from too much torque is also a cause but you're nowhere near the limits with MHD stage 1. The DCT can hold about 600nm in standard form and over 700nm with an xHP transmission tune.
Edit: Sorry, just realised I was confusing INPA with NCS. I don't need daten files for INPA so should be able to check as it is setup currently - can't remember if there's any additional setup for the e89, it's been a while since I've used it.
Last edited by enzed4 on Tue May 25, 2021 11:03 am, edited 1 time in total.
Gone: 2010 35i DCT
Gone: 2008 2.5Si Sport
- enzed4
- Lifer
- Posts: 3033
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 9:23 am
- Location: New Zealand
2010 35i sudden loss of power, no codes
This could actually be easy to troubleshoot - if I can get it to repeat the issue 'on demand', remap to stage 0 and see if it goes away. It would be just typical if it was the injectors, those and the coil packs are about all I haven't replaced in around 3 years of ownershipZforbes wrote: ↑Mon May 24, 2021 3:42 pm Are you sure it's gearbox related?
The reason I ask is a friend had a similar problem, loss of power when a accelerating hard shortly after a remap. It turned out that the fuel injectors couldn't provide the amount of fuel the remap was asking for. His choice was either to upgrade the injectors or downgrade the map. It took a while to find it as it didn't happen every time, took it back to the remap garage and never had a problem since.
Wasn't a z4 but one to bare in mind.
I am leaning towards a trans issue at this stage though.
Gone: 2010 35i DCT
Gone: 2008 2.5Si Sport