Auto Gearbox Warning Lights

[Z4Bandit]

Hi Guys (including all and any gals, of course)!

This Tuesday, two days ago, I became the owner of a Z4 E85 3-litre from 2003 with 67000 kilometers on the clock.
It has the 5-speed automatic gearbox with SMG.
The morning after the purchase at start up, the warning light for "Automatic Transmission Fault" lit up.
Later the same day when turning the ignition on the warning had disappeared.

This far, googling the symptoms, I've come across various scenarios but no distinct and probable cause that matches my situation. One was that this warning light turns on when system is "cold" and goes of when "warm". (Temperatures in my case where just below 10 degrees centigrade in the morning and maybe some 17-18 in the afternoon).

Is there anybody out there experienced something just like this or similar?

Thanks!

 

[bigwinn]

I’d say get a code reader to see what your specific fault code is- then go from there

 

[Z4Bandit]

Thanks @bigwinn . I do appreciate your tip.
Already talked to a car guy and he seem to have a code reader that work this model.

 

[Z4Bandit]

Out of curiosity: can I ask what model of Z4 you're driving?

 

[Rockhopper]

If its five speed then its not the SMG, its just a standard auto box which is a good thing for your wallet if it goes wrong. The SMG is six speed.

Either way you need to read the codes.

So if it is five speed and you get the gear box warning light coming on the commonest fault is the position switch failing. Other than that they are very reliable gearboxes.

 

[Z4Bandit]

OK @Rockhopper. New to this model (and brand) I thought the ability to shift manually was the SMG. Thanks for letting me know.
Good thing that the gearbox in my car is less complicated and costly when experiencing problems.

The warning light hasn't lit again since Wednesday morning but I will definitely have the codes determined.

Do you know many codes / for how long are stored in memory?

 

[bigwinn]

Thanks @bigwinn . I do appreciate your tip.
Already talked to a car guy and he seem to have a code reader that work this model.

Hey Bandit

I’ve had the pleasure of owning all flavours of the e85, auto and manual… apart from an SMG

One day!

 

[deltasierra]

The car is 20 yrs old and most likely the auto box hasn’t been touched, it might be a faulty sensor but it’s not something that is straightforward DIY.
If it was mine I would take it to a ZF transmission specialist and have an oil and filter change, cost should be around £200 as a first step. Don’t drive with the light illuminated the transmission pressures are likely to be low and clutch’s slipping, wait until it warms up.

 

[Rockhopper]

Pointless guessing without reading the codes. As i said though, the commonest failure (in fact the only type of failure I have ever heard of on these boxes) is the position switch which is an easy DIY job if you can get under the car. The new part is quite expensive though.

 

[Z4Bandit]

The car is 20 yrs old and most likely the auto box hasn’t been touched, it might be a faulty sensor but it’s not something that is straightforward DIY.
If it was mine I would take it to a ZF transmission specialist and have an oil and filter change, cost should be around £200 as a first step. Don’t drive with the light illuminated the transmission pressures are likely to be low and clutch’s slipping, wait until it warms up.

Light has not come on again. Though the car is twenty years old it has not been driven that long. Merely 67000 kilometers, but yes the oil does not just deteriorate by use but also by time. I'll look into someone to do that job but I think it's going to be far more expensive here in Sweden.

 

[Z4Bandit]

Pointless guessing without reading the codes. As i said though, the commonest failure (in fact the only type of failure I have ever heard of on these boxes) is the position switch which is an easy DIY job if you can get under the car. The new part is quite expensive though.

Thanks Rockhopper. I will find out the codes and while waiting also figure out how much the position switch is...

 

[Rockhopper]

They are about £180 - although its a year since i swapped mine.
If you do consider changing the fluid and filter then do your research first - its a hotly discussed subject!

 

[Z4Bandit]

Thanks Rockhopper! I Will most certainly do research and talk to guys at the owners club locally before taking on fluid and filter change.

 

[deltasierra]

If the automatic gearbox is changing smoothly then there may be no need to change the oil, but if it is not functioning properly new oil and filter may restore correct changes. The filter is incorporated in the transmission oil pan which is replaced, then there's a set sequence to refill.
The gearbox has its own electronic fault finding system and external components can be replaced easily by a technician, if the gearbox has to be removed and rebuilt, it’s going to be very expensive