SMG Gearbox not playing!
- Thread starter Dukeman
- Start date
Unfortunately this problem is all too common. A bit of internet searching will lead you to some horror stories in terms of potential repair costs. However it can be something quite simple. When you unlock the car door with your remote do you hear a whirring sound? If you do then your pump is priming which is a good thing (I think!). If not then you could start with making sure the battery is fully charged, then possibly change the relay (ultra blue one at the back of the box on n/s of engine bay). Next thing is probably the hydraulic fluid level, but this isn't a simple task you will probably need a dealer. Dealer can also check software etc. After that dealer will tend go through changing slave cylinder (with actuator) then pump then accumulator. Unfortunately each stage here will cost you about £1000. I am currently at new slave cylinder and although things are better my problem isn't completely solved it's now just intermittent. Please tell us how you get on, especially if you find an indie that can help. Unfortunately most just point you in the direction of a main dealer. Best of luck.
photodrt said:
Thanks Photodrt, After I posted and got back home gearbox engaged as normal and all good until today. Same problem. I do use an indie so will have to hope it engages again to get it there!. I may just change the relay to start in any case but do fear the potential enormous costs. I will post again on any progress.
Well really was changed and garage thought it was ok, drove it home and it was all good. Next day bugger all yet again! So back in a two weeks later. The news I had feared, it was the pump! So after the garage called it took me a few minutes to get them to tell me the damage....£2800 FFS! Plus labour and clutch pack good god :x
After a bit of soul searching and discussions decided to go ahead, even if I was to get £6k for the car I would be lucky but at the moment it is virtually scrap. A car in good condition with just over 50k miles....bummer.
Wheels are shocking as well so must dig deeper to at least have a fighting chance of selling it once all sorted.
After a bit of soul searching and discussions decided to go ahead, even if I was to get £6k for the car I would be lucky but at the moment it is virtually scrap. A car in good condition with just over 50k miles....bummer.
Wheels are shocking as well so must dig deeper to at least have a fighting chance of selling it once all sorted.
Sorry to hear of your troubles from a fellow SMG lover.
However, in over 2 years on the forum I've seen a lot more scaremongering (usually from those who have never used the SMG) than actual incidences of SMG failure and /or pumps needing replaced.
Feel for you though - that is a hideously expensive repair - it's difficult to understand how BMW can charge such an amount for the "pump" !Best of luck with it.
My 2004 has worked faultlessly - but still only has covered 33,000 miles. I'd be curious if any preventitive measures were mentioned - though appreciate too late for you now.
However, in over 2 years on the forum I've seen a lot more scaremongering (usually from those who have never used the SMG) than actual incidences of SMG failure and /or pumps needing replaced.
Feel for you though - that is a hideously expensive repair - it's difficult to understand how BMW can charge such an amount for the "pump" !Best of luck with it.
My 2004 has worked faultlessly - but still only has covered 33,000 miles. I'd be curious if any preventitive measures were mentioned - though appreciate too late for you now.
Well, worst fears realised 
to add to the cost it also needed a new flywheel and of course I had to have a new clutch pack so just over £3700 in total :x
Oh well, it now works well and enjoying the great British summer :wink: just had the wheels changed for some refurbished 108's and they look great. So big outlay but hopefully it will last a few more years. 10 years old this year and only 60k miles just coming up.
to add to the cost it also needed a new flywheel and of course I had to have a new clutch pack so just over £3700 in total :x Oh well, it now works well and enjoying the great British summer :wink: just had the wheels changed for some refurbished 108's and they look great. So big outlay but hopefully it will last a few more years. 10 years old this year and only 60k miles just coming up.
Usa
Dukeman said:Well, worst fears realised
Oh well, it now works well and enjoying the great British summer :wink: just had the wheels changed for some refurbished 108's and they look great. So big outlay but hopefully it will last a few more years. 10 years old this year and only 60k miles just coming up.
Sorry to hear.....had the same on my SMG 2 years ago and was about a £3000 ish job back then.
Thankfully my warranty covered it.
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Dukeman said:
Which switches were the problem?
johnnymarrsbarres
Member
It'd be good to hear some recommendations on warranties - I'm running an SMG and if I had to fork out £4k on getting it fixed I'd be screwed!
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bladeowner said:
No idea I am afraid! I wasnt prepared for the cost though. When it went back to the Indy, they struggled at first to diagnose the problem but then confirmed it with their contacts at the dealers. Then these 'switches' were on worldwide backorder with no expected delivery so not a happy bunny. Eventually I pressed them and it got sorted.
Well, just as I thought all was ok :x
Pump has failed again
However, as the part is warranted for 2 years it is now in the BMW dealer getting sorted :roll: Hopefully that will be that then for a while longer.
Been great since January when the last problem was sorted.
Unfortunately that is the last straw for me and the car is to be sold.
I will see when it is complete about advertising but not great to sell it with this history although it will be warranted again for another 2 years.
Pump has failed again
However, as the part is warranted for 2 years it is now in the BMW dealer getting sorted :roll: Hopefully that will be that then for a while longer.
Been great since January when the last problem was sorted.
Unfortunately that is the last straw for me and the car is to be sold.
I will see when it is complete about advertising but not great to sell it with this history although it will be warranted again for another 2 years.
That's a real shame. Can't say I blame after all your trials and tribulations though. SMG's do instil a certain degree of nervousness in their owners. Some of the problems lie in a distinct lack of knowledge of how to fix them even with main dealers. There is a tendency to replace parts on a suck it a see basis which can get really expensive. I had my pump replaced by a main dealer for just £351.16 the pump itself is a £227.00 part. So when compared to a roof motor not as scary as you might think. The other main parts are the control unit at £612.00 and clutch actuator at £684.00. They shouldn't all need replacing at the same time. Best of luck with the sale sounds like someone will be getting a nicely refurbished SMG. Meanwhile I will keep my fingers crossed each time I change gear!