Transmission Fault, Drive Moderately!?

Jeff7490

Member
Recently I've been getting this message on my e60 2005 520i iDrive whenever i either
- Floor it with m/s gear 1
- Going upslope on some occasions

the message goes as :

"Transmission Fault
It may not be possible to engage reverse gear, Reduced Acceleration.
Drive Moderately!
have the problem checked by BMW.."

Also when on i down gear from 2-1 , there's always some knocking sound and the car would start vibrating when i floor on gear 1. Vibration also occurs on occasions when i step a little harder that usual on D. But normal driving is not affected, except the usual BMW problems on gearing issues..

Really don't understand why is this happening, brought to PML today and they were unable to find out the root of the problem..

:helpp!:

Would really appreciate some help from all you bros...
Thanks in advance...
 
Re: Transmission Fault, Drive Moderately!?

Bro,
I have this same problem 2 month ago( 520 - feb 2005 ), send to my mechanic , and they replaced something call " Valve Body".
 
Re: Transmission Fault, Drive Moderately!?

Hi,

Apparently the previous owner of my 2006 E60 went to replace my car's valve body at Khang Auto few months ago, and it cost about $2K (at least that was what the guy told me when I called Khang to check what was repaired). Not sure if you can get anything lower at other workshops......
 
Re: Transmission Fault, Drive Moderately!?

The above bro is cheaper, mine cost $2,900 .( valve body -$2100 + Tranmision oil + labour + coding control unit )
You can call Ah Kuan - 64522296
 
Re: Transmission Fault, Drive Moderately!?

Can go eng soon or goldenlink to buy ZF ATF , valve cover and based filter total about $400 change to riverview auto AMK autopoint.

Labour + reset OBC about $150.

Save alot if u go BMotor or universal success
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Re: Transmission Fault, Drive Moderately!?

Hi all, i thought i will shared my own story.

A month ago, my dad's BMW 523i started to see the flashing red fault icon. I thought that a change in tranmission oil (100k mileage) would be in order and wanted to do the change a couple of weeks ago. Due to last minute work assignments overseas and a short holiday, i was away for a while.

I returned on the weekend and on Monday night, this message flashed and the car auto-stop accelerating past the 3rd gear.

"Transmission Fault
It may not be possible to engage reverse gear, Reduced Acceleration.
Drive Moderately!
have the problem checked by BMW.."

I sent it to a regular workshop to check for tranmission oil leakage but they was none.

A few hours ago, I went to AMK Autopoint as it was recommended by a buddy.

Firstly, he reset all the error messages in the ECU. Doing so allows the car to be engaged in 3rd gear and above for a short test drive.

Was told that this is a common problem and therefore, a recommended solution would be to change the MU / valve + update software (last done was 2006) + new tranmission oil + labour + brake fluid + microfilter change for about $4.1k. The repair can be done within 2 days.

I think this is too pricey but have spoken to them over the phone to carry on with the work with the assurance that we will probably pay around $3k ++ for the whole upgrade.

Will update on the final cost and part changes.

Whatever it is, it sure beats sending the car to PML and getting quoted a day or 2 later to replace the gearbox.
 
Re: Transmission Fault, Drive Moderately!?

If pml, you need 2 weeks and more than 10k cos they will change the whole transmission for our car
 
Re: Transmission Fault, Drive Moderately!?

3.85k

labour + new mu & valve body + transmission change + upgrade of programming + brake fluid

1.5 days

problem appeared to be solved for the time being.
 
Re: Transmission Fault, Drive Moderately!?

Jason8822;899076 said:
If pml, you need 2 weeks and more than 10k cos they will change the whole transmission for our car

If have warranty good, if no warranty, pang kang liao...
 
Re: Transmission Fault, Drive Moderately!?

pReTeNd3r;899996 said:
If have warranty good, if no warranty, pang kang liao...

If transmission was replaced by PML, they will give a 2 years warranty for the changed parts which is the transmission in this case.
 
Transmission Fault, Drive Moderately!?

delrosa81;900038 said:
If transmission was replaced by PML, they will give a 2 years warranty for the changed parts which is the transmission in this case.

Oh really? Tkz. Noted
 
Re: Transmission Fault, Drive Moderately!?

I recently also got a Transmission Fault for my 1series F20, only 5mths old.

PML checked the fault was at the gear knob and mentioned it's linked to the transmission O.O!! and no other fault
Gear Knob???!!!!

After less than a week the fault came out again.. went back they just mentioned to me there is no fault... WTH!!
 
Re: Transmission Fault, Drive Moderately!?

Hi my e60 525i 2005 trAnsmission is faulty. Acceleration is very slow from stationary position. It's impossible for vehicle to go up slope due to the loss in acceleration. Anybody has workshop to recommend n what's the ave cost of repair?
 
Re: Transmission Fault, Drive Moderately!?

My E60 is on it's last legs too; I've been told that my gearbox is in need of repair. I get little or no power sometimes from a stationery position and/or a feeling like the gear has not been properly engaged. I'll usually have to either:

1. Swtich to driving in 'manual mode'
2. Kill the ignition and wait a minute or two before restarting and driving off

Aside from TopSpeed and R2D are there any other workshops that specialise in gearbox repair?

Thanks in advance
 
Re: Transmission Fault, Drive Moderately!?

BVO, BOSS, J4C ... all these workshops can do gearbox overhaul .. aka ... change valvebody and solenoids

lychee_boy;958284 said:
My E60 is on it's last legs too; I've been told that my gearbox is in need of repair. I get little or no power sometimes from a stationery position and/or a feeling like the gear has not been properly engaged. I'll usually have to either:

1. Swtich to driving in 'manual mode'
2. Kill the ignition and wait a minute or two before restarting and driving off

Aside from TopSpeed and R2D are there any other workshops that specialise in gearbox repair?

Thanks in advance
 
Re: Transmission Fault, Drive Moderately!?

wt_know;958287 said:
BVO, BOSS, J4C ... all these workshops can do gearbox overhaul .. aka ... change valvebody and solenoids

Cheers mate.. thanks again!
 
Re: Transmission Fault, Drive Moderately!?

does anybody knows the est cost of repair? Can we change the solenoids without changing the valve body to save costs?
 
Hi, can anyone help with my car please?
I’ve got a 2006 BMW 535d.

My car dash board lights up with all the warnings lights, including transmission fault.
Says “ Drive moderately ”. I’ve got told it could be the OEM regulator or the Alternator or both??
But could this effect the drive of the gearbox as it is a bit sluggish changing through the gears, it’s had a gearbox service & a new torque converter. Thanks
 
Same message for my previous 2008 E60. Its usually either the solenoid failure or other parts of the mechatronics failure. Better to change the whole unit of mechatronics.

If you have hit 250k km, then its advisable to change the torque converter or mechanical gears thingy as well. ( assuming yours is a COE car with 7 more years to go)

Not advertising but go look up the site sponsors they are definitely in a great position to help. Good luck
 
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