SMG E85 issues

[Domosich]

2003 smg 3.0i
A few months ago i broke down with a similar issue to this. i was parked while out, got back in car and couldn’t get the car in gear. That time it somehow fixed itself and we topped up the pump fluid a bit.
It drove well for a few months after until 2 nights ago. Went to start it up and the car is stuck in 1st gear. Wont go into neutral or reverse, meaning its stuck on the driveway. I thought it could be the battery which i thought needed replacing for a while so replaced it with a new one yesterday but to no prevail. After it has sat turned on for a bit the gear! Light pops up and sometimes with an F1 code. Cannot start the car obviously due to it being in gear.
Anyone got any advice or knowledge as to what it could be?
Thank you

 

[Rockhopper]

Get in your car and with the drivers door open and the foot brake applied lean down to the door sill, turn the ignition to the on position. Listen for a loud humming noise. If you hear this it is the transmission hydro pump priming. It should make this noise every time you turn on the ignition. If you do not hear anything it could be 2 thing's. The relay or the hydro pump. I would replace the relay first. If this does not fix the problem it is more than likely the hydro pump. Make sure the brake is pressed before you try to take it out of drive.

 

[Domosich]

Thank you, yeah i can hear the pump priming. However, the priming noise when you usually unlock the car doesn’t happen anymore, so idk if that’s linked. But i dont think that’s linked to the gear issues. Sorry i’m quite new with these. I appreciate the advice

 

[patriot66]

Hi Domosich. You say you cannot hear the hydraulic pump pressurising when you unlock the car anymore. Does it usually pressurise frequently when the car is idling ? If so, it could be accumulator related/low pressure. Could also be clutch actuator or switching / selector angle sensor. Do you have a Code Reader as you REALLY need to get the fault codes read to narrow things down.
Check if battery is good, minimum 12.5V. The SMG pump consumes a lot of energy and the ECU will not allow the motor to start if the pressure is not high enough.
If battery is ok and you don't hear the pump, check the SMG pump relay (Navy Blue)
If the relay is ok, check hydraulic fluid level in the reservoir on side of gearbox. If fluid level is good and no visible leaks then the pump is probably faulty.
If the pump is priming then you need to check the hydraulic pressure in INPA. Measure only with ignition on, no shifting. Hydraulic pressure should be around 45bar. If pressure is OK, visually check the clutch actuator to see if it is leaking. It's a VERY common issue of the 6-speed (Non-M) SMG.
Have a look at SMG Society website and send an email to them in Germany with codes and description of your problems....they are very helpful. I have used their services/bought parts a few times and they are an excellent company to deal with. They sell many new and reconditioned SMG parts at sensible prices
https://www.smgsociety.com/

 

[alexandru.tanase88]

Hello guys,

Sorry that I wrote here on your post, i actually have same problems with my z4. I have almost changed everything ( i changed, the motor pump, relay, selection sensor, selection solenoid, pressure acumulator, pressure sensor, all the o rings from the hydraulic lines, i have repaired the shifter) the pump goes, build pressure and in 2-3 seconds all the pressure is lost, is leaking air, the air leak is coming from a solenoid, I even changed the valve block, same air leak noise.. Any help from you guys will be appreciated.

Thank you in advance.