Diagnosing a drivetrain malfunction in a BMW 535i or any other modern BMW car is pretty easy with an OBD II Scanner. Determine the cause of the drivetrain malfunction and repair or replace any faulty components as necessary.2. My BMW x1 has 83000km on the clock, I recently experienced a drive train error that disappeared afterwards. Either of these things among others can cause the drivetrain (or any of the drivetrain components) to malfunction. A problem with the BMW drivetrain is often a result of issues with its different components, including the following: The spark plug is a circuit with an arc that produces sparks. As soon as you see aBMW x5 drivetrain malfunction warning, the fuel pump is one of the first things to look at. When you change the spark plugs, replace all of them simultaneously. When such happens, the Drivetrain Malfunction message will appear on your dashboard. Therefore, it is a no-no! This cause ofBMW 528i drivetrain malfunction can result in more problems if you do not address it properly. Getting Stuck in Parks. We are an automotive mechanic blog that helps mechanics and car users to find the most recent and accurate technical and repair information for their cars. Get Help, Terms & Conditions Again, what are the BMW Drivetrain malfunction causes? BMW drivetrain malfunction can also be caused by a fuel pump that does not generate the required fuel pressure, especially if the error message is coming up when accelerating. BMW i3 Change Vehicle Compare Average Retail Price $13,800 - $18,000 Join for Ratings and Reviews With its space-age body, super-efficient powertrain, and laser focus on its urban mission, the. If the engine or drivetrain fails, the car will cease working and you will be stranded. A professional repair can cost $2,068 to $2,108, depending on the extent of the problem. - All You Need To Know, link to Mobil Vs. Nissan Leaf Tire Rotation Pattern, Schedule & More, MG EVs, One-Pedal Driving & Auto Hold Everything You Need to Know. Drivetrain malfunction, car shut off. Ignition coils provide the necessary electricity to the cars spark plugs, so engine operation can continue. I hope it gets fixed soon. Step 1: Park safely and turn off the BMWs ignition. It was freezing outside when I turned it on got full gas but the charged of bat is dead 0 . So, it is vital to subscribe to a careful driving style, as well as regular maintenance for your car and all its components. The breakage of this component will compromise the functions of the parts that attach to it, resulting in odd sounds. TheMobil vs. Various issues, such as low transmission fluid levels, a faulty transmission control module, or a problem with the differential, can cause BMW drivetrain malfunction. link to Will Brake Fluid Remove Paint? Its not pleasant having spent all that money on a new i3 only to have this error emerge within 6 months of driving it off the lot. I can drive it electric but the Rex shuts off once it heats up . With most BMW vehicles, the DME (digital motor electronic) is responsible for storing codes coming out of the engine, while the EGS (electronic gearbox) or AGS (adaptive gearbox) sends out the codes from the transmission. Building on the success of the Nissan Leaf Forum started in 2009, the My Electric Car Forums group of websites aims to be your premier destination for EV forums, community, and information. This is whats particularly frustrating to some owners. Connect YOUCANIC diagnostic tool to the vehicles OBD2 port and retrieve any error codes that may be stored in the system.3. While driving the car and at a stop light the car made some jerky noise and got the "drivetrain malfunction . And so the fix requires immediate action. Torque Converters. This guide will learn more about this problem and diagnose it using a BMW scanner. Your problem could be one plug or multiple. On the contrary, you now know what to do if a similar challenge occurs to your BMW car. The main ones are: Old or damaged spark plugs. If you are contemplating how to fix the drivetrain malfunction in BMW, it would be helpful to first restart the cars engine before proceeding with an OBD II scan. It is also common to find metal shaving in oil. Once the pump fails completely, it can be impossible to start the engine. Full performance is not available. The fuel pump is one electronic component that ensures peak performance since it transfers fuel from fuel injectors to the gas tank. The fuel pump condition can deteriorate over time, contributing to its failure. Had to spend one night and got a rental. If the Drivetrain Malfunction error occurs, there could be a problem with the fuel getting to the engine. Testimonials 3.1 Step 1: Pull Over and Restart 3.2 Step 2: Inspect the Engine 3.3 Step 3: Scan with a BMW Scanner 3.4 Step 4: Take the Car to a Service Center 3.5 Cost of Repairs BMW i3 repair cost distribution o Some of the symptoms of a drivetrain malfunction include: A BMW drivetrain malfunction is traceable to a couple of causes. If youre buying from a dealership, they should have the full service history detailing work they have done on the car, which should include fixing this type of problem. What does drivetrain malfunction on a BMW mean? If you fill up a BMW cars tank with a fuel quality that has low octane, the cars engine power will most likely drop and alter the proper transfer of engine power through the drivetrain to the wheels. Unfortunately, its a fairly wide spectrum that makes it hard to pin it automatically down to one particular problem. Here are some steps that a mechanic may take to diagnose and repair a drivetrain malfunction on a BMW: Following the manufacturers recommendations and guidelines is important when repairing a drivetrain malfunction on a BMW. Checking using the dipstick is one of the easiest ways to determine if the transmission fluid is leaking. If you are on the road, find a safe spot where you can pull over and diagnose the problem. The fuel pump may fail to create enough pressure, especially when there is a high demand from the engine. The symptoms of a bad fuel injector can be similar to many of the issues mentioned above. Hi, Mine is Active Hybrid 5 series. Careers It can also be because of fuel contaminants, causing the pump to malfunction. It transfers power from the transmission to the wheels, allowing it to move forward. Im finding this hard to believe, can anybody give some expert on this? The cost to fix a drivetrain malfunction on a BMW will depend on the specific issue causing the malfunction and the extent of the repairs needed. All Rights Reserved. Aside from poor engine performance, fuel economy also suffers. The car will function as normal and I am able to accelerate after the message disappear. No, a BMW drivetrain is not the same as a transmission. Drive moderately. If you get stuck on any of the above points and/or you lack any of the equipment we mention above, then the best place to locate someone with the know-how and the gear is to head directly to your BMW service center. This question continues yesterday's question about problem with RDC/TPMS Malfunction warning in my 2003 745i BMW. Worn spark plugs are often the cause of drivetrain malfunction in BMW vehicles. You should be aware that this problem does exist within BMW cars, and you should take steps to find out if the i3 you are buying has experienced these problems in the past. 2 Are There Any Signs of the "Drivetrain Malfunction" Error? One or more damaged fuel injectors can cause BMW to drive with moderately reduced power. Ignoring the drivetrain malfunction message or continuing to drive with a malfunctioning drivetrain could result in costly repairs and potentially unsafe driving conditions. I found that the I3 has suction on the bottom and from time to time it will Pick up trash. Clean the codes with an OBD-II scanner. Jiffy Lube Vs. Valvoline Oil Change: Differences & Which Is Better? He has been working as a car mechanic for over 10 years, and the majority of them specialized in advanced car diagnostics and troubleshooting. In some cases, an engine restart can get rid of the drivetrain malfunction message on the iDrive screen due to the BMW drivetrain malfunction reset performed by the engine restart. This problem is common with high mileage cars with a clogged catalytic converter that hinders the exhaust gases from releasing appropriating. BMW drivetrain malfunctioning message usually indicates a transmission or engine problem detected by the Engine Control Module also known as Digital Motor Electronics DME. Full performance not available Have the problem checked by service Error message. I am getting the Drive Train error. If you do it yourself, you might make the issue worse. To add, it prevents engine ping and knocks. Why does it occur? Every time I do this towards the end of the trip I get a warning "Drivetrain Malfunction" get home, after a day it goes away and all is normal. When I diagnose the vehicle it shows following DTCs Answered in 2 minutes by: BMW Mechanic: Daniel Hi. The Engine Control Module is sometimes referred to as Digital Motor Electronics - DME, or Engine Control Unit - ECU. A BMW has an advanced and intelligent system that will warn you of any problem. If you have someone battling with this same problem at the moment, why not refer them to read this article? A drivetrain malfunction on a BMW X3 refers to a problem with the system that transmits power from the engine to the wheels. It happened to my 2014 i3 twice before it was out of warranty and the dealer never and record of it because it was gone by the time I got it to the dealer. Then when ti was 9 months out of warranty it came on again and stayed on, i took it to the dealer and after having the car a day looking for the problem they called me and said it was a heat exchanger of some sort and the cost was estimated at $2800 to replace it. With a clog in the converter, the combustion chamber flow can slow down as well, causing a stalling situation and a Drivetrain Malfunctioning message. The BMW drivetrain malfunction is a serious problem that requires immediate attention. Let the engine rest for at least five minutes. If you're seeing a drivetrain malfunction warning message on your BMW, don't worry! The remedy to this challenge would be to replace all the spark plugs in your BMW with a new set. The drivetrain is a set of car components, including the following: Meanwhile, a powertrain has all the drivetrain parts, but it includes one more thing the engine. If theres no visible reason for the warning message, its time to use your code-scanning tool. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your BMW. Not only should a specialized scanner be used, but some of the repairs go beyond whats ordinary. The engines computer determines the fault and alerts you to the problem with the message. At the same time, the fail-safe driving mode, otherwise known as limp mode, might be activated. Thats a Rex-compatible air temperature sensor at least. To temporarily reset a drivetrain malfunction error in a BMW, park in a safe spot, turn off the engine, and wait for five minutes with the ignition turned off. Turn on the OBD II scanner and choose BMW code. To determine if it is serious, you must first diagnose the problem. )due to the Engine light coming on for high temperature and Get Roadside Assistance. Look for the OBD II scanner port in the dashboard and plug in the device. Are There Any Signs of the Drivetrain Malfunction Error? So its been great seeing EVs (and to a lesser extent, hydrogen cars) grow in popularity. I have a 650I w/53700 miles on it. This includes the transmission, driveshaft, and differential. If the Drivetrain Malfunction error message appears on your BMW after an oil change, there may be a problem with the vehicles drivetrain system. Without proper timing, your BMW will experience a cylinder misfire. Step 5: Check for any coolant or oil leak and defective serpentine belt. The transmission transfers an engines power to the wheels. Recalls and one on Monday, now back in shop today waiting for Drive Train message diag. We hope you find the Troubleshooting BMW Drivetrain Malfunction Drive Moderately guide helpful. If your BMW is over five years old, it may not produce enough power to operate all the modules and vehicle systems. A BMW drivetrain malfunction does not suddenly cause the car to break down. You will pay more to visit a BMW mechanic, but the guarantee you get is enough to provide peace of mind. Even if the drivetrain error disappears, you should still have your BMW diagnosed, as it is highly likely to return. Before doing this, make sure that the engine has cooled down and park where you wont disturb others on the road. Also makes a sound like there is air blowing though the vents. I am wondering if this is most likely because of the downpipe installed or if I need to upgrade my spark plugs for the higher power the engine is now making? Watch out for other symptoms. 119K subscribers So my F12 640i cabrio experienced the dreaded "DING" in BMWs and then the message cam up on iDrive 'Drivetrain Malfunction' with visuals indicating that the engine is almost. BMW 5 Series E34 525xi AWD illustration with visible drivetrain components. While some people might attempt to fix a BMW drivetrain malfunction on their own, we suggest letting the pros do it. This can cause various issues, including difficulty shifting gears, reduced power or acceleration, and strange noises coming from the transmission. Below is a quick step-by-step guide on how to reset it: As soon as the warning shows up, turn the engine off and restart. The catalytic converter is a critical component to ensure the peak performance of the exhaust and emission systems in a BMW. Cold weather can also cause components of the drivetrain, such as the driveshaft, to contract and potentially cause problems.To determine the cause of the drivetrain malfunction, it is recommended to have the vehicle inspected by a BMW dealer or a mechanic as soon as possible. This is vital for starting the engine since it can also cause engine misfire and rough idling. If youre a BMW i3 owner, you may have noticed an unusual message appearing on your dashboard. Replacing some and leaving others behind may still hinder the proper functioning of the cars engine. The car drives normal. The bmw report they sent me said it would be $23,000 to repair!! If a problem is detected in the powertrain, the "drivetrain malfunction" light will . While it is impossible to know what caused the BMW drivetrain to malfunction in your car withoutreading the codes, this error is due to an engine misfire in most cases. Did they figure out what the problem was? There is no need to guess where the problem lies, as there are so many possible causes. Drivetrain malfunction after getting the out of temp range . My question: BMW just pulled my engine less that 4000 miles ago. Damaged spark plugs are a leading cause of many car problems, including a faulty drivetrain. And they take necessary and immediate measures to rectify any problem that the ECU has detected. Step outside and pop the hood open. Not to limit here, these smart systems reveal the signals immediately on the vehicles dashboard. Troubleshooting, Warning Lights. Strange indeed. My warming about the Drivetrain Malfunction happen yesterday. On the other hand, the cost of labor can range from $155 to $195. Green Car Future 2018-2023. So, make sure to replace spark plugs to keep them working at their peak. In the next section, however, well deal with the signs that your BMW i3 is experiencing this issue. I only had 9650 miles on the car and I complained about the failure and the dealer got BMW to pay for it. Rxmechanic.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. dollars. For our examples below, we will use a BMW i3 REx model as our example for the steps below since it contains all the possible parts to experience the error. Do not panic when you see BMW Drivetrain Malfunction warning on your dashboard. Other possible causes of BMW drivetrain malfunction include a blown head gasket, mass airflow sensor, turbo issue, and fuel injectors. The drivetrain malfunction message would usually appear when I am slowing down for less than 10 seconds and then disappear on its own. Always after service. To push your inquiry too far could risk further damage to the vehicle. The BMW drivetrain malfunction message should be taken seriously because there are so many different things that can cause this error message to appear. This error NEVER happened prior to getting the oil leak fixed. Of course, for many BMW models, checking the engine is as simple as lifting the hood, but in the case of the i3 REx, you have to access the engine from the trunk, lifting up first the floor mat, and then unscrewing the metal engine bay covering. It raises the voltage, causing the electricity to jump. EV adoption seems to be at a tipping point now, with 'ordinary folk' starting to order them too. Have the problem checked by service. We strongly recommend getting your BMW diagnosed by a mechanic or, at a minimum, reading the fault codes yourself before you start replacing any parts. These core questions and more form the focus of todays blog. Research, browse, save, and share from 45 530 models in Boca Raton, FL. There will also be noticeable performance issues while idling. See TSBs and recalls for the BMW i3. As a result, the engines valves will open and close at the right time. Drivetrain malfunction on BMW328i can be fixed with an estimated cost of $2,068 to $2,108. Can Tesla Batteries Freeze? If theres no history indicated of that issue, then you should be safe. The injectors push the fuel into the combustion chamber of the engine. In that case, the engine will lack the required power transfer through the drivetrain to engage the wheels to move. See BMW drivetrain malfunctioning message usually indicates a transmission the exhaust and systems. To your BMW diagnosed, as there are so many possible causes of BMW drivetrain malfunction in a BMW an... Accelerate after the message disappear that requires immediate attention point now, with 'ordinary '! Of bat is dead 0 might attempt to fix a BMW scanner the bmw i3 drivetrain malfunction of first. My question: BMW just pulled my engine less that 4000 miles ago problems, including difficulty gears... 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