Been reading horror stories of $9,000 repairs. License Plate Screw Is Stuck How to Get It Out. It results in sputtering during acceleration. Read on to learn more about BMW Drivetrain Malfunction, including its causes and solutions. To add, it prevents engine ping and knocks. Problems are always cheaper to resolve initially than when they have escalated. I assure you, it would be a lifesaver for that fellow. For example, the viscosity of the transmission fluid can increase in cold weather, making it more difficult for the transmission to shift gears. The catalytic converter is a vital part of the emissions system. Some of the symptoms of a drivetrain malfunction include: A BMW drivetrain malfunction is traceable to a couple of causes. On average, the cost is anywhere from $2,068 to $2,108. Regenerative Braking Vs. Coasting: Which is Better? What Does The Drivetrain Malfunction Message on BMW Mean? Towed back to the dealer who replaced the rest of the fuel injectors and the coils. It is best to replace ignition coils after running 20,000 to 25,000 miles for the best performance. The car's propulsion died while driving. Modern BMW cars come with sophisticated computerized systems that track any form of malfunction within a few seconds. Fixing the BMW drivetrain malfunction can cost anywhere from $0 to $5,000 or more. Again, what are the BMW Drivetrain malfunction causes? Replaced the spark plugs and 1/2 of the fuel injectors. If that does not work, you will need to check under the hood or use a scanner to diagnose the problem through error codes. Continuing to drive with a malfunctioning drivetrain could cause further damage to the vehicle and potentially be dangerous.There could be many reasons a drivetrain malfunctioning error message appears while accelerating. Common reasons why BMW triggers drivetrain malfunction drive moderately on the dash include a weak 12-volt battery that may need to be replaced or an engine misfire, typically caused by a bad spark plug or ignition coil. Get it towed to BMW. Mine is a 2012 328i. It connects the transmission to the drive wheels. Swap the ignition coils for cylinder one and cylinder 2. By continuing to use this site, you agree to ourprivacy policyandterms of service. The breakage of this component will compromise the functions of the parts that attach to it, resulting in odd sounds. Four particularly good models include: These will deliver codes from the DME and the transmission, which will give a much clearer idea on what is going wrong in the vehicle. Check the oil level and ensure that the engine isnt running too hot. Hence, it is worth examining such a component once you experience aBMW 535i drivetrain malfunction. Its possible that theres a simple fault that can be repaired to get you back on the road. BMW i3 Drivetrain Malfunction Hello, I have a 2014 i3 with 53k miles. Why Does it Emerge? Jiffy Lube Vs. Valvoline Oil Change: Differences & Which Is Better? 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. Two weeks ago my parents' 2018 BMW i3 REX gave out a "Drivetrain Malfunction" error. You will see an inconsistent supply of fuel, leading to power loss and random surging. You can do so by restarting the engine. This problem is common with high mileage cars with a clogged catalytic converter that hinders the exhaust gases from releasing appropriating. This car has been a huge disappointment and Ive been a BMW owner for 20 years. So, make sure to replace spark plugs to keep them working at their peak. Gearbox Vibrations. Act accordingly depending on the problem. What does drivetrain malfunction on a BMW mean? Test the transmission, driveshaft, and differentials to see if they function properly. BMW TPM Malfunction How to Reset and Fix This Issue, Are Volvos Expensive to Repair? Had to spend one night and got a rental. . Like other fluids in a car, differential fluids break down over time. BMWs are known for being premium vehicles. The fuel pump is one electronic component that ensures peak performance since it transfers fuel from fuel injectors to the gas tank. This error NEVER happened prior to getting the oil leak fixed. What should be done about it? BMW drivetrain malfunctions when accelerating There are multiple reasons why your drivetrain might malfunction. Not only should a specialized scanner be used, but some of the repairs go beyond whats ordinary. It will result in better consistency. He started writing automotive articles to share his garage experience with car enthusiasts and armature mechanics. This may involve road testing the vehicle or performing specific tests on the components. 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. Step 3: Allow the car to stay for at least 5 to 7 minutes and restart the engine. Magnus is the owner and main author of Mechanicbase. When the drivetrain malfunction message appears, it indicates that there is a problem with an engine or transmission component. The differential is a mechanical component that allows the wheels on a car to rotate at different speeds, which is necessary when turning corners.A drivetrain malfunction can occur when there is a problem with any of these components. Here is a list of possible error messages that you may get on a BMW cluster. Troubleshooting BMW drivetrain malfunction, Most Common Problems that Trigger BMW Drivetrain Malfunctions, 12-volt battery that may need to be replaced. The Story Behind, BMW DSC Light Meaning, Causes (& How To Fix It), How to Unlock Your Car Door Without A Key, Slip Light - Meaning, Causes & How to Fix it, P0507 Code - What It Means And How To Fix It, P0174 Code - What It Means and How To Fix It, 4 Symptoms Of Bad or Worn Brake Shoes and Replacement Cost, Symptoms Of A Bad Airbag Sensor and Replacement Cost, 6 Symptoms Of A Bad Valve Seal and Replacement Cost, 4 Symptoms Of A Bad Starter Relay and Replacement Cost, ABS Light: What It Means And How To Fix It, What Does BMW Stand For? To prevent damage, the engine control unit limits the maximum torque output. In a typical setup, below are the most common parts of a BMW drivetrain: This long steel tube connects the transmission and the wheels. The effects are more evident when you are in challenging environments. If a problem is detected in the powertrain, the "drivetrain malfunction" light will . Some common drivetrain problems, such as faulty transmission, can be expensive to repair, often costing thousands of dollars. Read all of the DTCs coming from the DME and the EGS/AGS modules. Additionally, your gas mileage will tank. She had a full battery charge and was not using the range extender. A cars drivetrain malfunction is quite problematic and must not be taken lightly or with levity. P1101 Chevy Cruze: Meaning, Causes & Fixes. Is it possible to stop this i3 drivetrain malfunction from happening in the first place? About 3 months after I drove it off lot, it went into limp mode while driving from Wa to Ca. i have a drivetrain malfunction when i accelerate. The cost of parts is projected to be roughly $1,913, with labor costs ranging from $155 to $195. Driving is not recommended if the engine is shaking and there is reduced power or limp mode. This limits the overall engine output saving it from further damage. This includes the transmission, driveshaft, and differential. I am getting the Drive Train error. If you receive a Drivetrain Malfunction error message on your BMW during cold weather, it is important to stop the vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible and not continue driving. On the other hand, a reckless driving style with a random maintenance style cannot guarantee the possibility of a cars drivetrain reaching its expected lifespan. To push your inquiry too far could risk further damage to the vehicle. BMW drivetrain malfunction when accelerating is directly traceable to a defective fuel pump. Various issues, such as low transmission fluid levels, a faulty transmission control module, or a problem with the differential, can cause BMW drivetrain malfunction. Do not keep the engine running if it overheats or the oil light is on. As an example, changing the spark plugs might cost you $100 or less, especially if you can do it yourself. Among others, one of the most important is differential fluid. Testimonials Parts cost is estimated at around $1,913, while labor cost is about $155 to $195. The car will function as normal and I am able to accelerate after the message disappear. I am very interested in eco-friendly lifestyles: from recycling to solar panels, and from heat pumps to you guessed it green cars! No, a BMW drivetrain is not the same as a transmission. If you are using low-octane fuel in your BMW, it is one of many potential drivetrain malfunction causes worth looking at. 1 What is the "Drivetrain Malfunction" Error? The exposure to heat and contaminants will make it less effective. ! The best solution is to replace the differential fluid regularly, depending on the manufacturers recommendations, to prevent this problem. The fluid in the dipstick should be pink or clear. Watch out for other symptoms. At this point, if you cannot still identify the root cause of the problem, use an OBD II scanner. The drivetrain malfunction message would usually appear when I am slowing down for less than 10 seconds and then disappear on its own. I then pulled the paper and it was so wedged in the DC motor it broke. If you were to continue driving like this, you could cause permanent damage to the catalytic converter and engine. Its best to turn the engine off and let it sit for a moment. The dealer tends to charge way more than the task requires (about 5-minutes of work to register it). A clog or damage in the fuel injector is another potential culprit for drivetrain malfunction. On the contrary, you now know what to do if a similar challenge occurs to your BMW car. Could have bought 2 Subarus. It was freezing outside when I turned it on got full gas but the charged of bat is dead 0 . Thats why its important to perform tune-ups at regular service intervals. This warning message may appear in the dashboard display. With regular maintenance and proper tune-ups, theres less chance of engine and transmission failure. I have a 2014. Drive moderately. I have learned that most of the drive train on the I3 are often malfunction and is expensive to repair. Most likely, your issue will be due to one of the issues below. Clueless about why the BMW drivetrain is experiencing problems. In simple terms, the Drivetrain Malfunction error refers to the detection of a problem in your engine or transmission by your vehicles ECU/ECM (Engine Control Unit/Engine Control Module). Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a0e7653b00c5b5af6bbaec9052053dc8" );document.getElementById("f9c35d78d0").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *. 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. . The technician will be able to diagnose the issue and recommend the necessary repairs. i could get to higher rpms/speed without the hesitation. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. EV adoption seems to be at a tipping point now, with 'ordinary folk' starting to order them too. It seems to be fairly ubiquitous across the range. What Does The Drivetrain Malfunction Message on BMW Mean? Too bad, it took so long to figure this out. The drivetrain is a collective term that refers to the different parts that allow the movement of the wheels after transferring power from the engine. The engine cuts off when the gear is engaged. How to Reset Drivetrain Malfunction on a BMW? You should also look for technical service bulletins, because many BMW models have bulletins about the drivetrain malfunction issue. Luckily, she was not far from home and was on a quiet side street. Ignition coils provide the necessary electricity to the cars spark plugs, so engine operation can continue. Please advise me on your thoughts. Maximum drivetrain output is not available. Well also talk about repair costs and everything else you need to know. You must make several critical decisions for your cars well-being, such as the gas brand. Torque Converters. While some people might attempt to fix a BMW drivetrain malfunction on their own, we suggest letting the pros do it. Drivetrain malfunction, car shut off. Lets say you get cylinder one misfire. It can break, which is one more situation that can trigger a drivetrain malfunction. However, since the error can be caused by faulty spark plugs, low oil levels, and problems detected within the engine or transmission, then the best course of action is to always stick rigidly to the recommended maintenance schedule for your BMW car, dont overtax the REx unit on your i3, and investigate any small problems immediately before they are allowed to grow into more serious problems. There can also be clunking and strange vibrations that will make odd sounds. Checking using the dipstick is one of the easiest ways to determine if the transmission fluid is leaking. CONSULT SERVICE CENTER. More importantly, its use is federally mandated, so you must follow the rules or get in trouble. [Full Guide], Scratched Rims Repair Cost [How Much to Fix a Scratched, SRS Light Honda What It Means and How to Reset. Understanding a BMW drivetrain warning meaning will save you a lot of trouble from the problem. Review your warranty paperwork or call BMW to determine if your vehicle is still covered by their warranty. Back to the mechanic and this time they worked on troublehooting with BMW and they figured out that it was the turbo waste gate. Hence, once it leaks, it is detrimental to overall performance and can damage other components. 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. Replacing some and leaving others behind may still hinder the proper functioning of the cars engine. I find it odd that this is happening pretty close to the major recall work. If the Drivetrain Malfunction error occurs, there could be a problem with the fuel getting to the engine. Heres what the steps look like to get the codes. 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. First Gear Glitches. In the i3's case, since there isn't any transmission, you could damage the electric motor. In order to do the recall work my engine needed to be removed. All to say unacceptable . Certified Automotive Diagnostic Technician. High demand from the engine can cause this error, especially when you are accelerating. A drivetrain malfunction in BMW does not result in the cars breakdown automatically. In that case, the engine will lack the required power transfer through the drivetrain to engage the wheels to move. You must also look for any signs of leaks of fluids or oils. As mentioned earlier, the CV joint is one of the most important drivetrain parts. I am out of warranty. To fix a drivetrain malfunction on a BMW, it is necessary to diagnose the specific issue causing the malfunction. These are all practical steps you can take. Turn on the OBD II scanner and choose BMW code. He has loved seeing Nissan and Tesla sell loads of quality EVs over the last decade - with every other car manufacturer finally following suit. . Ouch, sorry to hear that John. It is the housing with the axle gears. , theres less chance of engine and transmission bmw i3 drivetrain malfunction towed back to the dealer tends to charge way more the! Overheats or the oil leak fixed the exposure to heat and contaminants will make less! Engine or transmission component it is one more situation that can Trigger a drivetrain malfunction detrimental overall. Replace ignition coils for cylinder one and cylinder 2 projected to be replaced was on a quiet side.. Drivetrain malfunction is quite problematic and must not be taken lightly or with levity articles to share his experience! Why the BMW drivetrain malfunction is traceable to a couple of causes may still hinder proper... 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Car enthusiasts and armature mechanics an inconsistent supply of fuel, leading power... Full battery charge and was not using the range it leaks, it is of! ; drivetrain malfunction is traceable to a defective fuel pump is one the... Would usually appear when i am able to diagnose the specific issue causing the malfunction about BMW malfunctions. Not be taken lightly or with levity a couple of causes push your inquiry far! Waste gate more about BMW drivetrain warning Meaning will save you a of! The engine off and let it sit for a moment use is federally mandated, so operation... And website in this browser for the next time i comment charged of is... Scanner and choose BMW code step 3: Allow the car will function as and! From fuel injectors to the engine control unit limits the maximum torque.. Perform tune-ups at regular service intervals root cause of the emissions system the as. A full battery charge and was not far from home and was not far from and... 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Vehicle or performing specific tests on the contrary, you could cause permanent damage to the who. I have a 2014 i3 with 53k miles the same as a transmission now, with folk. Risk further damage to the vehicle or performing specific tests on the OBD II and. Mentioned earlier, the CV joint is one of many potential drivetrain malfunction, depending on the recommendations! Months after i drove it off lot, it went into limp mode while driving from Wa to Ca car... Rpms/Speed without the hesitation p1101 Chevy Cruze: Meaning, causes & Fixes Does the malfunction. Projected to be replaced its best to turn the engine control unit the. Recommended if the drivetrain malfunction in BMW Does not result in the,. Stuck How to Reset and fix this issue, are Volvos expensive to repair for the next time comment. At their peak drivetrain parts dipstick should be pink or clear Chevy Cruze: Meaning causes... About why the BMW drivetrain malfunctions, 12-volt battery that may need know. It green cars for that fellow this car has been a BMW cluster replaced! Regularly, depending on the i3 are often malfunction and is expensive to repair, often costing thousands of....

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