740 Transmission problem and Resolution

For those who have transmission problems with 740i or 740iL's, here's some information. I just went through the problem with my car not going into gear properly. And, the car has been successfully repaired. This may be a little lengthy, but it's worth it.

The Car:
1994 740i
Mileage: 167,000
No previous transmission work that I know of.

The Symptoms:
A few weeks ago, I placed the car in reverse and as it started to move backwards, the transmission would slip for a second or two. It seemed to do this mostly after the car had been driven for a while.

A couple weeks ago, after placing the car in drive, the car had a very hard time moving forward (five feet or so). When I let off the gas, it felt like the emergency brake was on. When it was placed in neutral, the car actually moved backwards.

The way I got out of this situation was to place the transmission in Snow mode (winter mode). This immediately freed-up the transmission and it started in first gear instead of the usual third gear that snow mode is suppose to start. I ran the rest of the day in snow mode. The next morning, the car ran fine. But it happened again three days later.

I understand that this problem happens to 1993, 1994 (E32) and 1995 (E38) models with the A5S 560Z transmissions.

Solution:
After a lot of investigation, and with the help of several people on the BMW forums, it was determined that the check ball(s) in the valve body were worn and needed replacing.

Not wanting to have the BMW dealer change the transmission for $6,000 and getting countless horror stories from transmission shop, I found a local BMW / Mercedes mechanic willing to remove and replace the valve body.

There is a shop in Connecticut that will perform the valve body update for $450. They are Eriksson Industries in Old Saybrook. Tel# 800-388-4418. WEB site - www.erikssonindustries.com

For West Coast people, there's a shop that will just only change the check balls for about $230.00. They are Auto Parts Direct, Inc. in Laguna Niguel, CA. Tel# (888) 462-PARTS [7278]. Their Web site is: http://www.allgermanparts.com. This site also has a writeup about the valve body problem at: http://www.allgermanparts.com/tips/july01.html.

I chose Eriksson Industries because they were closer and I wanted the complete update performed.

I live north of Boston, MA and the mechanic I used for the removal and replacement of the valve body was Auto Engineering in Lexington, MA. Tel# 781-862-6700. I spoke with David. They did an excellent job and the car is running great!!!

The total to have all the work completed was: $1320.00

It's like a lot of money but I actually feel fortunate that I didn't need to replace the transmission.

Itemized:
Valve body update: $450.00
Labor - Remove/replace valve body plus minor parts - $340.00
Replacing very expensive tranny fluid - $430.00
Filter and gasket - $50.00 (BMW parts are strongly recommended for filter and transmission fluid)
Shipping charges - $50.00

Good luck to all of you and thanks for your help.
Happy driving!
Al

My 93 740iL just started doing exactly what yours was... The dealer fixed some leaking seals on the transmission for about $480. I hope that that fixed it (I haven't picked it up yet). If not, now I know what to tell the local transmission guy... Was there any other info that would indicate that it was in fact the check balls?

Thanks!

Sacha

Hi Sacha,

I don't have any further information. But this is a pretty common problem with the cars that we drive. Hope the seals fix the problem.

It sounds like the mechanic didn't have to take the valve body off your transmission. In order to replace the check ball(s) and any necessary springs, the valve body needs to be removed to gain access to the parts.

Good Luck,
Al

Hi Sasha,

Great information. My 740i with 141,000 miles just started behaving exactly the same way. Before finding your post, I've already tried cleaning all the contacts on the electronic shifting console to no avail. Armed with this information, I'm comforted with the fact that it doesn't look like I'm going to have to undergo an expensive transmission transplant. Can you clarify for me what the difference is between a full update of the valve body as opposed to just changing the balls? I'm planning on tackling the job myself. I will take pictures and try to post a play-by-play as I think that the "stealers" love just to switch out the trannys on this relative simple fix. It makes me so mad.

Bruce












For those who have transmission problems with 740i or 740iL's, here's some information. I just went through the problem with my car not going into gear properly. And, the car has been successfully repaired. This may be a little lengthy, but it's worth it.

The Car:
1994 740i
Mileage: 167,000
No previous transmission work that I know of.

The Symptoms:
A few weeks ago, I placed the car in reverse and as it started to move backwards, the transmission would slip for a second or two. It seemed to do this mostly after the car had been driven for a while.

A couple weeks ago, after placing the car in drive, the car had a very hard time moving forward (five feet or so). When I let off the gas, it felt like the emergency brake was on. When it was placed in neutral, the car actually moved backwards.

The way I got out of this situation was to place the transmission in Snow mode (winter mode). This immediately freed-up the transmission and it started in first gear instead of the usual third gear that snow mode is suppose to start. I ran the rest of the day in snow mode. The next morning, the car ran fine. But it happened again three days later.

I understand that this problem happens to 1993, 1994 (E32) and 1995 (E38) models with the A5S 560Z transmissions.

Solution:
After a lot of investigation, and with the help of several people on the BMW forums, it was determined that the check ball(s) in the valve body were worn and needed replacing.

Not wanting to have the BMW dealer change the transmission for $6,000 and getting countless horror stories from transmission shop, I found a local BMW / Mercedes mechanic willing to remove and replace the valve body.

There is a shop in Connecticut that will perform the valve body update for $450. They are Eriksson Industries in Old Saybrook. Tel# 800-388-4418. WEB site - www.erikssonindustries.com

For West Coast people, there's a shop that will just only change the check balls for about $230.00. They are Auto Parts Direct, Inc. in Laguna Niguel, CA. Tel# (888) 462-PARTS [7278]. Their Web site is: http://www.allgermanparts.com. This site also has a writeup about the valve body problem at: http://www.allgermanparts.com/tips/july01.html.

I chose Eriksson Industries because they were closer and I wanted the complete update performed.

I live north of Boston, MA and the mechanic I used for the removal and replacement of the valve body was Auto Engineering in Lexington, MA. Tel# 781-862-6700. I spoke with David. They did an excellent job and the car is running great!!!

The total to have all the work completed was: $1320.00

It's like a lot of money but I actually feel fortunate that I didn't need to replace the transmission.

Itemized:
Valve body update: $450.00
Labor - Remove/replace valve body plus minor parts - $340.00
Replacing very expensive tranny fluid - $430.00
Filter and gasket - $50.00 (BMW parts are strongly recommended for filter and transmission fluid)
Shipping charges - $50.00

Good luck to all of you and thanks for your help.
Happy driving!
Al

Hi Bruce,

The full update is to change ALL the springs and and check balls in the valve body.

The other way is to just change the check balls in question. But I don't know which ones they are.

Good luck,
Al (mypalal)