Gear Rod 5-7 The Achilles Heal

[ARC550]

Under load 4th gear at exactly 4k Rpm = drivetrain malfunction and 5Th gear is gone!

I have Had M6 and now M5. I went through 2 transmissions on M6 with this same problem ! And now on my M5! Ahhahhhaah that makes 3!

In short.. I see now why bmw went Auto! Lol

Their is no fix for this, I have the BMW software that resets Adaptions, clutch adapt, trans adapt etc... it is a hit or miss if it makes the issue go away. Sometimes goes away for a few days sometimes a few months. It is the strangest thing. I suspect it to be sensor related vs Mechanical.. if it was mechanical it would Not just "go away"

If anyone has any tips or tricks please let me know before I buy a used Trans lol

[KMORGSM5]

What year is your transmission? I believe 13's and 14's were effected by It and only way around it is new transmission.

[ARC550]

Originally Posted by KMORGSM5

What year is your transmission? I believe 13's and 14's were effected by It and only way around it is new transmission.

Really only 13/14? I know a ton of 15-16 also lol
The transmissions are same 13+

I'm beginning to think it's a sensor related fault vs mechanism because it goes away and comes back... but now it's Colin back allot more lol

[allmotor_2000]

Agree - worst thing about this platform!

Not sure it's sensor as I swapped transmissions and kept the original mechatronics unit. Could be the valves on the mechatronics going bad.

It first happens only in S3... then S2 and finally D modes. 4th gear redline for me (not 4K RPM) and you lose 5th gear. Initially it would not throw a DTML, just cuts off power on the 4-5 shift. Then as it got worse it would throw the rod 5-7 error. Sometimes the adaptation worked but eventually it would happen all the time.

I had the entire DCT 'cleaned' up by SSP and re-assembled and same thing happened. Then just got a new one, swapped the mechatronics (which has all the sensors for rod position etc) and all was good again.

My view especially as we go for more power is to have a spare DCT at all times.

[KMORGSM5]

Originally Posted by ARC550

Really only 13/14? I know a ton of 15-16 also lol
The transmissions are same 13+

I'm beginning to think it's a sensor related fault vs mechanism because it goes away and comes back... but now it's Colin back allot more lol

Part number changed in 15/16. All I know is that it is as more common in the 13/14's. Possibly it was just due to age and people pushing the platform.

Luckily I had a new dct replaced 13k miles ago under warranty and has been holding up well with my new clutches and baskets.

[ARC550]

Originally Posted by allmotor_2000

Agree - worst thing about this platform!

Not sure it's sensor as I swapped transmissions and kept the original mechatronics unit. Could be the valves on the mechatronics going bad.

It first happens only in S3... then S2 and finally D modes. 4th gear redline for me (not 4K RPM) and you lose 5th gear. Initially it would not throw a DTML, just cuts off power on the 4-5 shift. Then as it got worse it would throw the rod 5-7 error. Sometimes the adaptation worked but eventually it would happen all the time.

I had the entire DCT 'cleaned' up by SSP and re-assembled and same thing happened. Then just got a new one, swapped the mechatronics (which has all the sensors for rod position etc) and all was good again.

My view especially as we go for more power is to have a spare DCT at all times.

It's the sheer inconvenience of dealing with it lol ..
my buddy at Bmw stated that could be valve body..
I just find it so odd that it goes away, and comes back lol

[allmotor_2000]

Could be the valve assembly - cheaper to get abused DCT than a new valve body assembly unless folks start providing refurbished ones

[Northern X5M]

Yes. I have been getting the same issue.
The dealership screwed up the SSP clutch install on my original transmission and slagged it.
Got what I thought was a brand new transmission (dealer paid for), reinstalled the SSP parts and had this issue after about 3000km.
I am thinking now I got a re-manufactured transmission that maybe had problems before I got it.
I shipped the entire transmission to Kris, turns out the dealer did get the 2 snap rings mixed up.
Reinstalled the transmission, and still have the same issue.
It is a lot better now; before, the loss of fifth gear happened every time under load, after getting the transmission back from Kris, it is hit or miss if it happens.

I find that the trans is fine under WOT, it is only under partial heavy load that I get the error. What is frustrating is I now don't know when it will happen, if you are not careful you can really zing the engine to readline.

[ARC550]

Originally Posted by Northern X5M

Yes. I have been getting the same issue.
The dealership screwed up the SSP clutch install on my original transmission and slagged it.
Got what I thought was a brand new transmission (dealer paid for), reinstalled the SSP parts and had this issue after about 3000km.
I am thinking now I got a re-manufactured transmission that maybe had problems before I got it.
I shipped the entire transmission to Kris, turns out the dealer did get the 2 snap rings mixed up.
Reinstalled the transmission, and still have the same issue.
It is a lot better now; before, the loss of fifth gear happened every time under load, after getting the transmission back from Kris, it is hit or miss if it happens.

I find that the trans is fine under WOT, it is only under partial heavy load that I get the error. What is frustrating is I now don't know when it will happen, if you are not careful you can really zing the engine to readline.

It's such a mysterious problem .. I have the bmw software and just readapt clutch and it goes away lol, if not it just comes on after moments of driving ahhahaha without any load!

[Northern X5M]

Originally Posted by ARC550

It's such a mysterious problem .. I have the bmw software and just readapt clutch and it goes away lol, if not it just comes on after moments of driving ahhahaha without any load!

Can you point me in the direction of this BMW software. Thanks.

[allmotor_2000]

He is referring to ISTA-D. But eventually issue will come back even after re-adapting.

http://rheingoldusa.com/conc/index.php/buy-now

[UnfoundLegend]

Can anybody here please record a video of what they are experiencing? I am still having a drivetrain malfunction under 3/5 throttle or so in every gear except 1st and 2nd. I have SSP clutches, and recently had to replace the fuel rail sensor. I think it is software related.

[allmotor_2000]

It's 4th gear redline at WOT... power just shuts off and throws a DTML. You end up losing 5th gear (so 4-6 shifts only). After re-starting car all gears are available.

[kevn23]

Originally Posted by UnfoundLegend

Can anybody here please record a video of what they are experiencing? I am still having a drivetrain malfunction under 3/5 throttle or so in every gear except 1st and 2nd. I have SSP clutches, and recently had to replace the fuel rail sensor. I think it is software related.

Do you also have the SSP filter?

[UnfoundLegend]

Originally Posted by kevn23

Do you also have the SSP filter?

I have the clutch pack Spec R only. Prior mods are downpipes and a flash tune. My issue started happening directly after BMW updated the transmission software and it was reflashed. I'll get a video soon.

[somer]

Originally Posted by allmotor_2000

It's 4th gear redline at WOT... power just shuts off and throws a DTML. You end up losing 5th gear (so 4-6 shifts only). After re-starting car all gears are available.

so is the workaround just short-shifting 4th?

[allmotor_2000]

Originally Posted by somer

so is the workaround just short-shifting 4th?

Works initially including D vs S modes... but after a while it happens anytime under load in 4th!

[somer]

Originally Posted by allmotor_2000

Works initially including D vs S modes... but after a while it happens anytime under load in 4th!

That's a shame because 4th gear is a fun gear! Especially with the power you and Ruben are putting out.

[kevn23]

Originally Posted by UnfoundLegend

I have the clutch pack Spec R only. Prior mods are downpipes and a flash tune. My issue started happening directly after BMW updated the transmission software and it was reflashed. I'll get a video soon.

Seems like a lot of these Drive Train Malfunction errors really appear to be a software issue... I think I am going to stick with good old manual for my next car.

[allmotor_2000]

Originally Posted by somer

That's a shame because 4th gear is a fun gear! Especially with the power you and Ruben are putting out.

You ain't seen nothing yet... some big power coming from a few people!!

[mfarad]

I must have done something right in my prior life. I had BMW install a brand new set of Clutches drove down to Pure Turbos in San Diego had them install the SSP clutches (only place in cali where they gave warranty on the install) and on the way back from San Diego to the Bay Area, around half way no reverse and 2 4 6 and all of a sudden at a stop light the whole car just completely shut off. BMW told me that internal transmission failure and will need to be replaced at 46000 miles. I feel for you brother and the car is out of warranty.

[schnell1982]

Originally Posted by mfarad

I must have done something right in my prior life. I had BMW install a brand new set of Clutches drove down to Pure Turbos in San Diego had them install the SSP clutches (only place in cali where they gave warranty on the install) and on the way back from San Diego to the Bay Area, around half way no reverse and 2 4 6 and all of a sudden at a stop light the whole car just completely shut off. BMW told me that internal transmission failure and will need to be replaced at 46000 miles. I feel for you brother and the car is out of warranty.

After the SSP clutch install you had this issue and did you have BMW diagnose the issue ?
Interested in knowing your outcome