SMG / Auto transmission problem (dash light on)

[Spud]

Right, I left my car stood all day (as usual) at work today. When I got in the car about an hour ago it was a little reluctant to start (not choking), but when it did, the Auto Trans light came on in yellow.

Driving away from the car park, only the first 3 gears are available. I then pulled in down the road, shut everything off, then started the engine again. This time, the Auto Trans light appeared in yellow again, but the Electric Power Steering indicator also appeared (in yellow).

Turning the engine off again and starting once more, the EPS indicator went, and left me back with the AT light again in yellow. I just had to drive 17 miles home at 30mph in 3rd gear.

The book states that there is a "defect in the transmission system". I've never had this before. Considering my car has been at the dealership twice in the last few weeks (service, then airbag system replacement, which conveniently happened just after my Inspection 2 service) I'm less than impressed.

Any basics to check? Any tricks to try?

 

[Spud]

Had let it stand for the last few hours, just nipped out to try again.

Engine will now not even attempt to tick over.

Constant beeping whenever ignition is engaged, exhaust light on, EML light on, Automatic Transmission light on, engine oil light on, battery light on!

I've had nothing but problems since my car went for its inspection 2 at BMW - in the 3/4 weeks since then it's had the airbag system go wrong, quickly followed a few days after that fix by all these problems. I get the feeling I'm being seriously screwed over here :headbang:

 

[JamesF]

Constant beeping whenever ignition is engaged, exhaust light on, EML light on, Automatic Transmission light on, engine oil light on, battery light on!

I had this the other day (note my car is not an SMG Auto tho) having recently got the car back after replacement of the Alternator. I also have seen a couple of times the PAS light briefly flick on when pulling away at lights after being stationary for a minute. I'm hoping it is indicative only of a duff battery. the stealer warned me the battery was not 100% but I thought that was just them trying it on especially at £200 fitted. Will follow advice from another thread I think and get a new battery down at Halfords, fingers crossed that will kill off the electrical gremlins.

 

[Spud]

BMW guy came out today (I have the breakdown bit on the warranty) and said it's all due to the Trans light (so transmission control unit).

He reckons it has lost synchronisation and hence needs re-synchronising. His way of explaining it was that a) the car thinks it only has 3 gears, and b) it didn't know it was in neutral, so wouldn't start before.

 

[AlanJ]

BMW guy came out today (I have the breakdown bit on the warranty) and said it's all due to the Trans light (so transmission control unit).

He reckons it has lost synchronisation and hence needs re-synchronising. His way of explaining it was that a) the car thinks it only has 3 gears, and b) it didn't know it was in neutral, so wouldn't start before.

Smoke and mirrors......?

 

[Spud]

Not sure. Considering it's going to be a third dealer visit in a month, I am seriously unhappy.

 

[AlanJ]

Not sure. Considering it's going to be a third dealer visit in a month, I am seriously unhappy.

Sale of Goods Act - fit for purpose......

 

[andy8oy]

Any joy with this issue? I bought a Z4 from an independent dealer last week and I am getting the transmission light intermittently as well as losing some gears. It has had a flat battery dealer reckons it needs to goto BMW to be reset due to go in next week...