[Prim3]

Hello everyone!

I have a 2001 330i automatic which currently has 280k miles. Trying to reach 300k which I think all m54 engines could do. Recently when driving on the freeway I noticed it starting to slip. It has no codes on the dash and not even the cog light next to the gear. It drives just fine but it does slip at higher speeds. I decided to scan it using pa soft and it gives me this error. Any way to solve this issue? Can you just replace the torque converter rather than the transmission? If this transmission is failing it might be the end of this e46 life as a rebuild would cost more than the car itself which is not worth it. Thankyou for even reading this.

 

[Bali]

It might just be the TCC solenoid. I say investigate and fix. Link to the ZF 5HP19 tech docs below.

ZF 5HP19 - Google Drive

drive.google.com

 

[burntoutrubber]

The torque converter does not last forever, so that is where I would look first. Reman TCs are not that expensive, though the job is a pain.

As Bali said it could be the solenoid or the upper front valve body where the piston that controls TC lockup is.

It could also be low pump pressure. Is the fluid original? Are you sure it is not low?

 

[Sapote]

Recently when driving on the freeway I noticed it starting to slip.

How do you reliably tell the TC clutch slip? Lock gives 1:1 and unlocked gives 1:1.1 gear ratio.
At this mileage the TC clutch might be worn down too far. In this case replace with a good TC.

 

[Prim3]

The torque converter does not last forever, so that is where I would look first. Reman TCs are not that expensive, though the job is a pain.

As Bali said it could be the solenoid or the upper front valve body where the piston that controls TC lockup is.

It could also be low pump pressure. Is the fluid original? Are you sure it is not low?

Thanks, is it separate than the transmission itself? I don’t need to reapply a seal or anything right just the tc? I replaced the filter and the fluid last year , might have to check again.

 

[Psimitar]

Check to make sure the pistons in the valve body aren't sticking and the lock up solenoid is working properly would be the first and easiest port of call. If that don't remedy the problem then a reconditioned TC is what you'll need. Many in the past have said that it's the seal in the TC that leaks and bleeds off pressure so the clutch will slip or not engage at all but at your mileage it could be that or the clutch plates are very worn.
There's also the possibility of low line pressure but I'd expect if that were the case that other issues with gear changes would present themselves.

 

[The_Fixer]

I had this intermittent issue with mine some time ago, almost two years ago, after I swapped my engine.

Did a flush and filter change.

It would come and go. Didn't affect driveability. So, I figured next fluid change I'll check the tcc Solenoid.

I did discover driving in "manual" mode the light never triggered from a tc slip fault.

Anyway, now the problem hasn't come back even in regular drive mode.

Either my solenoid started working fine again or the tc seal somehow re sealed itself.

Knock on wood it stays working fine now.

Like most said so far.... check the tcc solenoid out first.

 

[Bali]

FYI to all, the TCC has variable lock-up via PWM control. The EGS measures the amount of TCC slip via the various speed sensors and throws a code when it is not within the expected range it commanded.

 

[Prim3]

FYI to all, the TCC has variable lock-up via PWM control. The EGS measures the amount of TCC slip via the various speed sensors and throws a code when it is not within the expected range it commanded.

Is mine not severe enough for it to not even show any codes until you scan it with pa soft?

 

[Bali]

Is mine not severe enough for it to not even show any codes until you scan it with pa soft?

What? I do not understand what you are saying.
The fault codes are there whether you read them with BMW Scanner 1.4 (PA Soft was the company, not the product), INPA, Carly, or whatever.

 

[Prim3]

What? I do not understand what you are saying.
The fault codes are there whether you read them with BMW Scanner 1.4 (PA Soft was the company, not the product), INPA, Carly, or whatever.

Like there is no code on the dash or the cog light telling me something was wrong. I only knew about the code after looking at the bmw scanner 1.4. I feel like there should have been at least a code on the dash or something.

 

[Bali]

Like there is no code on the dash or the cog light telling me something was wrong.

Codes are not shown on the dashboard, only warning lights. You gotta read codes early and often, A warning light only comes on for some issues.

 

[burntoutrubber]

I had this intermittent issue with mine some time ago, almost two years ago, after I swapped my engine.

Did a flush and filter change.

It would come and go. Didn't affect driveability. So, I figured next fluid change I'll check the tcc Solenoid.

I did discover driving in "manual" mode the light never triggered from a tc slip fault.

Anyway, now the problem hasn't come back even in regular drive mode.

Either my solenoid started working fine again or the tc seal somehow re sealed itself.

Knock on wood it stays working fine now.

Like most said so far.... check the tcc solenoid out first.

Have you used INPA to look at the RPMs of the engine versus the input speed sensor on the transmission when cruising? You can pretty easily see the revs equalizing. If you don't, you are likely sacrificing 4-5MPG.

 

[The_Fixer]

Have you used INPA to look at the RPMs of the engine versus the input speed sensor on the transmission when cruising? You can pretty easily see the revs equalizing. If you don't, you are likely sacrificing 4-5MPG.

That wouldn't apply to me.

The way I drive my vert isn't very economical. Always with a heavy foot. Lol

 

[bonestockE36]

If you saw the revs climb and didn't get a SES/CEL that's a bit odd. Mine is throwing P0741 and I have the light. It only slips excessively on occasion. I watched it happen again this morning on the same hill it's happened previously. I drove up the same hill last week without trouble. Seems like once TCC slips enough to turn throw the code(even if you alrady have the light), it won't attempt to lock up at all, until the next start.

You have to be over 120kmh to get 1:1 lockup. Otherwise it's slipping some, but not like being off completely.