E70 Transmission Gear holding

ANDYX5E70 · 03-04-2020, 02:30 PM

Hi everyone!

Im new to the forums I'm a regular reader but have never had the requirement to post a new thread until now. I'm after some insight relating to my E70 transmission.

The basic issue is that the car holds gears intermittently between 2-3rd and 3rd - 4th. Sometimes the change is around the normal rev range, but other times the car will hold 3rd all the way up to over 2.5k rpm before shifting into 4th (embarrassingly), even when under light throttle.

I initially thought I may have bad solenoid(s), but if I put the car into manual mode I can command a shift whenever I want and the gear will engage instantly without delay. This tells me that potentially there is nothing wrong with the mechanicals but that it may be
the 'command' process that may be at fault?

I found a receipt in the vehicle history for a Remap, and I'm wondering whether this could have effected the gear change relationship between the engine and transmission?

I have reset all adaptations, using diagnostics which improved the frequency of the issue but did not Completley alleviate it.

I would like to get the issue resolved as its a fantastic car but this is my only bug bare with it. Could any of you BMW wizz's point me in the right direction and offer some advice?

Thanks

Andy

Nyc Dito · 03-04-2020, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ANDYX5E70

I found a receipt in the vehicle history for a Remap, and I'm wondering whether this could have effected the gear change relationship between the engine and transmission?

Any more info on this? Picture of receipt or who did the "remap"?

ANDYX5E70 · 03-04-2020, 11:31 PM

The receipt is just an invoice there is no information as to what the pervious owner asked for ie. Power increase etc. Do you think it could be related?

Spyro235 · 03-05-2020, 08:44 AM

What motor is in it? Is it diesel?

ANDYX5E70 · 03-05-2020, 09:31 AM

Hi Spyro

Yes it is a 3.0d with ZF6HP26 Gearbox

Spyro235 · 03-05-2020, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ANDYX5E70

Hi Spyro

Yes it is a 3.0d with ZF6HP26 Gearbox

I'd look at an XHP license and a Sutphin tune.

Also, has the trans had a fluid/ pan+filter change recently? how many miles (or KM's) are on it since the last transmission service?

These transmissions like new fluid and filter ever 60k miles. There's lots of fluid that thought to be better than the ZF fluid too. For a stock vehicle, the ZF fluid is fine though. Dropping the valve body is super easy and putting in new cylindrical seals and mechatronics seal was pretty straightforward for someone relatively competent with a wrench. the full service solved my flaring/ weird shifting problems.

ANDYX5E70 · 03-05-2020, 01:21 PM

I should have probably mentioned that the vehicle had a remanufactured ZF Gearbox with brand new TV and oil cooler around 18 months ago. This was done because of a coolant leak into the box. I have no idea whether they did the seals I would like to think they did but I'm unsure. I've been think
ing of going in and doing them for peace of mind but I wonderwd whether I was over looking something more obvious or elsewhere.

ANDYX5E70 · 03-13-2020, 11:01 AM

Right, well I've decided to try replacing mechatronic seals and valve body seals, along with new solenoids and oil. I'll update on the result tomorrow.

wayne3546 · 03-15-2020, 01:28 PM

Following.

ANDYX5E70 · 05-20-2020, 02:43 AM

OK so I changed the solenoids, oil, bridge seals and tube seals. Re programmed the TCU adaptations and told it that it had had an oil change. Then in a weird twist of fate when I backed it off the 4 post ramp the engine kept cutting out.

Turned out the in some random coincidence, injector 6 was failing, I did a bit of diagnosis and low and behold the damn injector was corroded. Bizzare, it was a dry day and I hadn't even been near the engine.

Anyway I found that my water drip trays were knackered (shock). I ended up testing all the injectors and found that 5 was not far behind on failing. So since then I have replaced and coded the 2 injectors and ran the car around.

Now, the gears were even worse than ever. But yesterday I had a thought. After resetting the TCU adaptations I never competed the correct re learning process, as I became more focused on what was occurring with the engine. I find it Likley that in the process of revving it and booting the engine during the diagnosis of injector 6 that I completey messed up the adaptation re learn.

So yesterday I reset the adaptions again and followed the correct adaption relearn procedure. I will update on how the gears feel shortly.

JDAURIA · 05-20-2020, 08:05 AM

subscribed. I get a slight hesitation as well between 2nd and 3rd gear holding. I was planning to do transmission service in 5k miles

daniel717 · 05-20-2020, 10:17 AM

Am I the only one that pretty much always drives in Manual mode? I like shifting when I want to.

BMW Maniac · 05-22-2020, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ANDYX5E70

OK so I changed the solenoids, oil, bridge seals and tube seals. Re programmed the TCU adaptations and told it that it had had an oil change. Then in a weird twist of fate when I backed it off the 4 post ramp the engine kept cutting out.

Turned out the in some random coincidence, injector 6 was failing, I did a bit of diagnosis and low and behold the damn injector was corroded. Bizzare, it was a dry day and I hadn't even been near the engine.

Anyway I found that my water drip trays were knackered (shock). I ended up testing all the injectors and found that 5 was not far behind on failing. So since then I have replaced and coded the 2 injectors and ran the car around.

Now, the gears were even worse than ever. But yesterday I had a thought. After resetting the TCU adaptations I never competed the correct re learning process, as I became more focused on what was occurring with the engine. I find it Likley that in the process of revving it and booting the engine during the diagnosis of injector 6 that I completey messed up the adaptation re learn.

So yesterday I reset the adaptions again and followed the correct adaption relearn procedure. I will update on how the gears feel shortly.

I'm in the process of replacing the sleeves, oil/filter, and I was curious if the adaptation reset is necessary? I don't have INPA or anything else besides my Torque Pro APP, but do you just leave the accelerator down for 30 seconds? I read about the relearn process, but that seems pretty involved for transmission that should learn how I drive, no?

ANDYX5E70 · 05-22-2020, 02:40 PM

If you're not changing anything within the mechatronic unit then I don't think that you would need to reset the adaptations.

Anyway it's been a few days and I've driven the car several times, it's definitely a lot better, it's shifting lower down in the rev range. It did run up to 2.5k once but I was going up a hill. Just to clarify in manual mode this thing shifts ace, but I don't see the point in owning an auto to not benefit from it? I do wonder whether my expectation of what the ZF6HP28X should do, is higher than what is is designed to/can do. I drove one of these cars 10 years ago and don't remember thinking 'this is sloppy', but then I've spent a lot more time in newer automatics.

I think it still needs more time for me to make a definate prognosis how how successful it has been - but as I said definatley better.

ANDYX5E70 · 05-22-2020, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW Maniac

I'm in the process of replacing the sleeves, oil/filter, and I was curious if the adaptation reset is necessary? I don't have INPA or anything else besides my Torque Pro APP, but do you just leave the accelerator down for 30 seconds? I read about the relearn process, but that seems pretty involved for transmission that should learn how I drive, no?

The accelerator down thing is not for the transmission adaptations, that's something to do with resetting throttle inputs and I'm not sure it actually works on the E70. You need a Inpa type device to do the adaptations. I used Texa TXT which has a lot of functions for lots of manufacturers. The relearn process is involved but, its something that makes sense. We used to have to do a similar thing on the ZF AS Tronic boxes, setting the static and dynamic rail positions (its an solenoid/air operation manual box).

ANDYX5E70 · 06-01-2020, 03:46 PM

OK so I'm losing the will to live with this car. Its a pity because its generally a nice car, but I'm on the verge of trading it in.

Gears change like a bag of crap. 2-3 and 3-4 lurch / jerk. The holding gears with excessive rpm is still there. It just takes the whole wow factor out of driving it. Gearbox is a sloppy mess it makes me fantasise about a manual box.

I'm unsure whether to spend 1500 to have the box fully rectified/reconned including zipping the valve block.

Or do I get the xhp tune and try that..

or do I zip the valve block but leave the rest of the box... Not knowing if it has something terminal wrong with it!

Help! Before I go buy a Seat Terraco.

JDAURIA · 06-01-2020, 05:54 PM

Did transmission service today. New fluid, filter, sleeves, megatronic adapter, etc.

Was shifting fine prior, but I can definitely feel more smoothness now. I’ll be adding transmission tune soon.

robnitro · 06-03-2020, 11:05 PM

Low fluid can cause the erratic shifting too... So first get the fluid sorted but if you can, do the seals too.

03-04-2020, 02:30 PM	#1
ANDYX5E70 New Member 5 Rep 10 Posts Drives: E70 X5 Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Midlands iTrader: (0)	E70 Transmission Gear holding Hi everyone! Im new to the forums I'm a regular reader but have never had the requirement to post a new thread until now. I'm after some insight relating to my E70 transmission. The basic issue is that the car holds gears intermittently between 2-3rd and 3rd - 4th. Sometimes the change is around the normal rev range, but other times the car will hold 3rd all the way up to over 2.5k rpm before shifting into 4th (embarrassingly), even when under light throttle. I initially thought I may have bad solenoid(s), but if I put the car into manual mode I can command a shift whenever I want and the gear will engage instantly without delay. This tells me that potentially there is nothing wrong with the mechanicals but that it may be the 'command' process that may be at fault? I found a receipt in the vehicle history for a Remap, and I'm wondering whether this could have effected the gear change relationship between the engine and transmission? I have reset all adaptations, using diagnostics which improved the frequency of the issue but did not Completley alleviate it. I would like to get the issue resolved as its a fantastic car but this is my only bug bare with it. Could any of you BMW wizz's point me in the right direction and offer some advice? Thanks Andy Last edited by ANDYX5E70; 03-04-2020 at 02:47 PM..
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03-04-2020, 11:31 PM	#3
ANDYX5E70 New Member 5 Rep 10 Posts Drives: E70 X5 Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Midlands iTrader: (0)	The receipt is just an invoice there is no information as to what the pervious owner asked for ie. Power increase etc. Do you think it could be related?
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03-05-2020, 08:44 AM	#4
Spyro235 Captain 260 Rep 714 Posts Drives: '10 X5D, '04 330i ZHP Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: CO iTrader: (0)	What motor is in it? Is it diesel? __________________ Daily/ Tow: 2010 X5 35D - 326k, Deleted w/DUDMD Stage 2, Sutphin Trans tune, Comfort seat retrofit Fun car: 2004 ZHP 6mt - 256k miles, z4m FCAB, stock. Drift car: 2001 330i for sale
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03-05-2020, 09:31 AM	#5
ANDYX5E70 New Member 5 Rep 10 Posts Drives: E70 X5 Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Midlands iTrader: (0)	Hi Spyro Yes it is a 3.0d with ZF6HP26 Gearbox
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03-05-2020, 01:21 PM	#7
ANDYX5E70 New Member 5 Rep 10 Posts Drives: E70 X5 Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Midlands iTrader: (0)	I should have probably mentioned that the vehicle had a remanufactured ZF Gearbox with brand new TV and oil cooler around 18 months ago. This was done because of a coolant leak into the box. I have no idea whether they did the seals I would like to think they did but I'm unsure. I've been think ing of going in and doing them for peace of mind but I wonderwd whether I was over looking something more obvious or elsewhere.
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03-13-2020, 11:01 AM	#8
ANDYX5E70 New Member 5 Rep 10 Posts Drives: E70 X5 Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Midlands iTrader: (0)	Right, well I've decided to try replacing mechatronic seals and valve body seals, along with new solenoids and oil. I'll update on the result tomorrow.
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03-15-2020, 01:28 PM	#9
wayne3546 New Member 2 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2012 X5 35d Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	Following.
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05-20-2020, 02:43 AM	#10
ANDYX5E70 New Member 5 Rep 10 Posts Drives: E70 X5 Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Midlands iTrader: (0)	OK so I changed the solenoids, oil, bridge seals and tube seals. Re programmed the TCU adaptations and told it that it had had an oil change. Then in a weird twist of fate when I backed it off the 4 post ramp the engine kept cutting out. Turned out the in some random coincidence, injector 6 was failing, I did a bit of diagnosis and low and behold the damn injector was corroded. Bizzare, it was a dry day and I hadn't even been near the engine. Anyway I found that my water drip trays were knackered (shock). I ended up testing all the injectors and found that 5 was not far behind on failing. So since then I have replaced and coded the 2 injectors and ran the car around. Now, the gears were even worse than ever. But yesterday I had a thought. After resetting the TCU adaptations I never competed the correct re learning process, as I became more focused on what was occurring with the engine. I find it Likley that in the process of revving it and booting the engine during the diagnosis of injector 6 that I completey messed up the adaptation re learn. So yesterday I reset the adaptions again and followed the correct adaption relearn procedure. I will update on how the gears feel shortly. Last edited by ANDYX5E70; 05-20-2020 at 02:56 AM..
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05-20-2020, 08:05 AM	#11
JDAURIA Lieutenant Colonel 725 Rep 1,714 Posts Drives: F31 MSport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: West Palm Beach, FL iTrader: (6) Garage List 2005 BMW [0.00] 2016 BMW [0.00]	subscribed. I get a slight hesitation as well between 2nd and 3rd gear holding. I was planning to do transmission service in 5k miles __________________ 2016 F31 328iX \| Alpine White \| Black \| ///MSport \| iND \| Eventuri \| AC Schnitzer \| MPerformance \| 513M \| Michelin PS4 \| 2005 \| 330CiC \| Sparkling Graphite \| Black \| 6MT \| ZHP Purchase your W///AGON Stickers Here: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1930190
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05-20-2020, 10:17 AM	#12
daniel717 Enlisted Member 20 Rep 41 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW X5 35i Join Date: May 2020 Location: Gainesville, FL iTrader: (0)	Am I the only one that pretty much always drives in Manual mode? I like shifting when I want to.
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05-22-2020, 02:40 PM	#14
ANDYX5E70 New Member 5 Rep 10 Posts Drives: E70 X5 Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Midlands iTrader: (0)	If you're not changing anything within the mechatronic unit then I don't think that you would need to reset the adaptations. Anyway it's been a few days and I've driven the car several times, it's definitely a lot better, it's shifting lower down in the rev range. It did run up to 2.5k once but I was going up a hill. Just to clarify in manual mode this thing shifts ace, but I don't see the point in owning an auto to not benefit from it? I do wonder whether my expectation of what the ZF6HP28X should do, is higher than what is is designed to/can do. I drove one of these cars 10 years ago and don't remember thinking 'this is sloppy', but then I've spent a lot more time in newer automatics. I think it still needs more time for me to make a definate prognosis how how successful it has been - but as I said definatley better.
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06-01-2020, 03:46 PM	#16
ANDYX5E70 New Member 5 Rep 10 Posts Drives: E70 X5 Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Midlands iTrader: (0)	OK so I'm losing the will to live with this car. Its a pity because its generally a nice car, but I'm on the verge of trading it in. Gears change like a bag of crap. 2-3 and 3-4 lurch / jerk. The holding gears with excessive rpm is still there. It just takes the whole wow factor out of driving it. Gearbox is a sloppy mess it makes me fantasise about a manual box. I'm unsure whether to spend 1500 to have the box fully rectified/reconned including zipping the valve block. Or do I get the xhp tune and try that.. or do I zip the valve block but leave the rest of the box... Not knowing if it has something terminal wrong with it! Help! Before I go buy a Seat Terraco.
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06-01-2020, 05:54 PM	#17
JDAURIA Lieutenant Colonel 725 Rep 1,714 Posts Drives: F31 MSport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: West Palm Beach, FL iTrader: (6) Garage List 2005 BMW [0.00] 2016 BMW [0.00]	Did transmission service today. New fluid, filter, sleeves, megatronic adapter, etc. Was shifting fine prior, but I can definitely feel more smoothness now. I’ll be adding transmission tune soon.
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06-03-2020, 11:05 PM	#18
robnitro Captain 160 Rep 803 Posts Drives: x5 35d e70 2011 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: NYC area iTrader: (0)	Low fluid can cause the erratic shifting too... So first get the fluid sorted but if you can, do the seals too.
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