E92 M3 DCT not automatically downshifting in D?

[flxfxp]

Hey all,

I've been having some troubles for a while with sporadic downshift issues when I'm driving in automatic. This usually happens when I commute to work on the highway.

Current scenario:

• I'm driving down the highway doing 60mph, D (which chose 7th gear), S-4
• Need to pass a car
• Press down on the accelerator (note: not all the way down till it "clicks" (DownShift Mode) and shift to 3rd)
• Car stays in gear and surges slowly forward

Expected scenario:

• I'm driving down the highway doing 60mph, D (which chose 7th gear), S-4
• Need to pass a car
• Press down on the accelerator (note: not all the way down till it "clicks" and shift to 3rd)
• Car downshifts to the appropriate gear (3 or 4) and takes off faster

Here are some videos I took for the shop

• 2014-06-24 09.15.50:
• 2014-06-22 09.23.44:
• 2014-06-24 09.15.50:

It has always downshifted on acceleration in the past, and this shifting behavior sporadically changed into now no downshifting at all. Because the downshifting didn't work, I almost got into an accident yesterday because the car did not accelerate quickly enough out of dangerous situation -- it refused to downshift upon pushing the accelerator pedal down.

The shop thought it might've been the steering alignment sensor, but resetting this did nothing.

Any thoughts?

Cheers,
Dennis

[Patrón]

any problems or symptoms in manual mode?

have you tried holding the downshift paddle and flooring it?

[flxfxp]

Originally Posted by Patrón

any problems or symptoms in manual mode?

Nope, shifts fine.

have you tried holding the downshift paddle and flooring it?

Hmmm, I'll try that and report back - will that put it into manual though?

[Sandye90m3]

Very odd, seems more a of software glitch rather than mechanical problem.

Have you tried switching from D1-D5, I'm assuming the problem still persists?

[Patrón]

Originally Posted by flxfxp

Nope, shifts fine.


Hmmm, I'll try that and report back - will that put it into manual though?

Yes sir it does, just seeing if it would switch itself

[flxfxp]

Originally Posted by Patrón

Yes sir it does, just seeing if it would switch itself

It does switch itself, it goes from 7D in to manual with 6th gear.

Originally Posted by Sandye90m3

Very odd, seems more a of software glitch rather than mechanical problem.

Have you tried switching from D1-D5, I'm assuming the problem still persists?

I have, and when the downshift does work, the modes work as intended and it downshifts more easily or aggressively based on the mode. The problem is that most of the time it doesn't downshift at all.

[Patrón]

Originally Posted by flxfxp

It does switch itself, it goes from 7D in to manual with 6th gear.



I have, and when the downshift does work, the modes work as intended and it downshifts more easily or aggressively based on the mode. The problem is that most of the time it doesn't downshift at all.

if you floored it , it should have downshifted to a much lower gear. as someone mentioned it sounds sw related.

if it were mine, i'd get a dinan dct tune or the alpine alex tune

OR

try your dealer to see if they would do the tune update (should be free or at the max couple hours labor rate). there was a campaign sw update for dct.

try asking if anyone local has a tool that you could recalibrate the dct. there is a chance that they could also upload the gts/dct sw.

good luck

[flxfxp]

If I floor it all the way (to the point that it clicks), it *does* go back to 3rd gear takes off like a rocket. It seems that the variable sensor in the length of the accelerator is not working? this is just an assumption.

[m3ray]

Originally Posted by Sandye90m3

Very odd, seems more a of software glitch rather than mechanical problem.

What's odd about it? Seems par for the course when it comes to DCT.

[Patrón]

Originally Posted by flxfxp

If I floor it all the way (to the point that it clicks), it *does* go back to 3rd gear takes off like a rocket. It seems that the variable sensor in the length of the accelerator is not working? this is just an assumption.

Yea it should be more sensitive than that. I'd find an independent shop and have them test drive it. Keep us posted.

[stevens]

are you in standard or Power mode (assuming not Power +) on D4? I always found even with the GTS update that I have to press the pedal more than 1/2 approaching 3/4 to get it to down shift in normal power and D2 (default in the UK) if I ever drive in D mode (usually long motorways of 100+ mile). Its triggered by throttle response and having Power on triggers it more early hence my question.

[lve2xlr8]

Definitely not normal behavior, especially in the d4/d5 modes. One thing annoying about this DCT is that it's much more apprehensive to downshift than the PDK

[Sandye90m3]

Originally Posted by m3ray

What's odd about it? Seems par for the course when it comes to DCT.

Well he is saying that he is in D-mode and if you are coasting in 7th, and depress the throttle 60% of the way, it should downshift to at least 5th or 4th.

[vince76]

I have exactly the same behavior with my M3 2011. Only the kick down downshifts the car. Really annoying for this type of car.
I got another behavior, couple days ago sometimes the car doesn't downshifts at all. when I stop the car on red light it stay on gear 7! and it start on 7 Gear...
I' m going to the dealership next week hope he will find the problems on both issues.

[flxfxp]

Originally Posted by Sandye90m3

Well he is saying that he is in D-mode and if you are coasting in 7th, and depress the throttle 60% of the way, it should downshift to at least 5th or 4th.

Exactly! This is my problem.

[Sandye90m3]

Originally Posted by vince76

I have exactly the same behavior with my M3 2011. Only the kick down downshifts the car. Really annoying for this type of car.
I got another behavior, couple days ago sometimes the car doesn't downshifts at all. when I stop the car on red light it stay on gear 7! and it start on 7 Gear...
I' m going to the dealership next week hope he will find the problems on both issues.

Originally Posted by flxfxp

Exactly! This is my problem.

This shouldn't happen at all. It just sounds like a software glitch, I would go to the dealership and make sure you have the most up-to-date software. I changed to the M3 GTS DCT software and it is miles better than the previous DCT software that I had.

[Craigy]

For what it's worth, in automatic mode, you do have to put your foot in it quite a lot for it to downshift, particularly at highway speeds. Around town though it is very responsive.

Still, you should not have to floor it into kickdown mode though for it to downshift.

[chillp]

Originally Posted by Craigy

For what it's worth, in automatic mode, you do have to put your foot in it quite a lot for it to downshift, particularly at highway speeds. Around town though it is very responsive.

Still, you should not have to floor it into kickdown mode though for it to downshift.

I agree with this. In fact, if the DCT is working properly, some downshifting should be taking place as you're slowing down. It may not go all the way down to the gear you want, but a tap on the accelerator pedal should take care of that.

[kamikazi26]

I know this is an old post, but I'm having the EXACT same scenario going on with my 2011 E93 M3. I cannot lfind any other information on it.

Can the original thread starter advise what was done to correct the issue?

I'm in D7 mode on the hwy doing 100kmph (rev at approx 3k), and i push the throttle slowly all the way (just prior to the kickdown switch - not activating it). In the past if i'm in D7 mode (M button pushed), the car would drop a gear or two in order to assist me passing a car or just be more agressive. Now, it just falls on it's face and VERY slowly (still in D7 gear) accelerates.

If i slow down to a stop; yes, it downshifts to first gear automatically.

When slowing down, it downshifts automatically, when accelerating, it does not.

This just started this week. I've owned the car since 2012.

Yes i will be going to the dealership to have it diagnosed as a last resort. Figured I'd try here first.

Map sensor, vaccum line, TPS, must be something wrong...

FYI
I had the GTS DCT flash done 3 years ago (fantastic mod!)

[dparm]

Originally Posted by kamikazi26

I know this is an old post, but I'm having the EXACT same scenario going on with my 2011 E93 M3. I cannot lfind any other information on it.

Which DriveLogic setting are you in? (the rocker switch with 5 bars)

My experience was that if you are in 1-3, it is very reluctant to downshift.

[codinge90]

Originally Posted by kamikazi26

I know this is an old post, but I'm having the EXACT same scenario going on with my 2011 E93 M3. I cannot lfind any other information on it.

Can the original thread starter advise what was done to correct the issue?

I'm in D7 mode on the hwy doing 100kmph (rev at approx 3k), and i push the throttle slowly all the way (just prior to the kickdown switch - not activating it). In the past if i'm in D7 mode (M button pushed), the car would drop a gear or two in order to assist me passing a car or just be more agressive. Now, it just falls on it's face and VERY slowly (still in D7 gear) accelerates.

If i slow down to a stop; yes, it downshifts to first gear automatically.

When slowing down, it downshifts automatically, when accelerating, it does not.

This just started this week. I've owned the car since 2012.

Yes i will be going to the dealership to have it diagnosed as a last resort. Figured I'd try here first.

Map sensor, vaccum line, TPS, must be something wrong...

FYI
I had the GTS DCT flash done 3 years ago (fantastic mod!)

I had a similar issue, whenever I was in M mode it would be fine but a tad too sporty for everyday driving. Normal drive was dreadful as it would keep me in 7th. You need to reset adaptations, that's what I did and it fixed my issue.

[TimberWolf_3063]

Originally Posted by stevens

are you in standard or Power mode (assuming not Power +) on D4? I always found even with the GTS update that I have to press the pedal more than 1/2 approaching 3/4 to get it to down shift in normal power and D2 (default in the UK) if I ever drive in D mode (usually long motorways of 100+ mile). Its triggered by throttle response and having Power on triggers it more early hence my question.

Agreed.

I've found that since my BPM Stage 2 & GTS DCT flash, when cold in D2, slowly pressing the throttle only makes the engine gain revs very slowly without downshifting, until I press more than what feels like 2/3.

However, up to that point, the engine makes wonderful BLAPs and POPs and I don't floor it when cold anyways. I just enjoy the on-ramp on my way to work more!