DCT woes but not giving up

[ATLIEN]

Looking for some advice from you pros. I've had my M3 for a year and really no issues up until my dct woes. I've got 87k miles on the clock and drive pretty normal (no track time) or crazy mods. Just your average middle age Joe with an M3.

My problems started with transmission overheating. I took it to the dealer and they replaced the pan gasket as well as my valve cover gaskets (under warranty) for a total cost of $2,880.

70 miles later I get the dreaded Transmission Malfunction on the Idrive and it skip shifted from 1,3,5,7.

I took it in and the codes (5A64 Selector Rod 5/7 Fault) was the error and they replaced the mechatronics (took 2.5 weeks) and programmed the vehicle for a total cost of $8,363.

3 days after the mechatronics repair the Transmission Malfunction came on again. My Carly app says (5A64 Selector Rod) again. I was pretty devastated and discouraged but don't want to throw in the towel and trade it or worse sell it to someone in it's current condition which is still highly drivable and the engine feels strong plus I got a ton of good stuff done to it.

I've reached back out to the dealer but in all honesty i'm losing confidence. Has anyone had this type of issue and is the fix easier than we may be thinking?

[GORDON.M3]

So, the DCT unit is pretty bulletproof mechanically speaking on these cars. They seem to have issues when the computer portion of it acts up. Don't give up!

I'm sure it will eventually be fixed. When you get these error codes its probably the repair that BMW did.

Even though the DCT clunks from time to time and leaks, it will outlive most engines on this platform. Just keep at it with the dealer and I'm sure they will fix it.

If you are spending this money out of pocket I'd go elsewhere though.

[tdott]

Perhaps try another dealer or independent shop if there are any well known ones in your area.

Hopefully if it is covered under warranty, they'll authorize a replacement transmission. Perhaps it ran low on fluid the first time and cause internal damage, it seems that is how most failures occur.

[ATLIEN]

Roger that guys. My repairs were covered under warranty minus the $500 ded. But that adds up quickly. I was thinking of going to an indy but after having over $10k in repairs I think they need to make it right.

[msan]

the sad thing is you can buy a used DCT Transmission for $700-1500

[ATLIEN]

Originally Posted by msan

the sad thing is you can buy a used DCT Transmission for $700-1500

Originally Posted by msan

the sad thing is you can buy a used DCT Transmission for $700-1500

I know right. The entire time during warranty repair I was like this rate is extreme and close to the cost of a new transmission. Sigh.

[165_M3]

IIRC, there was another member here years back that had similar issues w DCT.
Long Story short, the harness or one of the harness wires that goes from the DCT back to the DME box was loose/shorted/cut. It was fixed and problem went away. Sadly, this was years ago. You might want to try downloading ISTA software, it gives more detail on repairs.

[MJBO]

Wait, you’ve spent $US11000 on this issue??

[ATLIEN]

Originally Posted by MJBO

Wait, you’ve spent $US11000 on this issue??

Originally Posted by MJBO

Wait, you've spent $US11000 on this issue??

Yeah, My poor warranty company has. The mechatronics was like $6k alone.

[MJBO]

Originally Posted by ATLIEN

Yeah, My poor warranty company has. The mechatronics was like $6k alone.

Ah, that's ok then!

[ATLIEN]

Originally Posted by MJBO

Ah, that's ok then!

Originally Posted by MJBO

Ah, that's ok then!

I really just want my car up and running. I'll have to run that cut/loose wire suggestion above because when the error shows up the shifting is nowhere near bad or how it was before mechatronics replacement.

[tacoman]

DcT transmission sensor.
In 2016...the dummy light for an overheated transmission came on.
Carbwas sluggish and skipped gears etc
Thought it was the plates or the transmission sensor.
It was the sensor!
They dropped the tranny...replaced the sensor....all has been well sense.

2500 fix under warranty

[ATLIEN]

Originally Posted by tacoman

DcT transmission sensor.
In 2016...the dummy light for an overheated transmission came on.
Carbwas sluggish and skipped gears etc
Thought it was the plates or the transmission sensor.
It was the sensor!
They dropped the tranny...replaced the sensor....all has been well sense.

2500 fix under warranty

Gotcha. I've got a feeling that is what I'm looking at. The car shifts great and I've had it out a few times and put it through it's paces with no malfunction light.

[Helmsman]

Have the same DCT light coming and going. Can be a year in between and come back on a more regular basis, very irritating. Seems to calm down after some proper readlining/harsch shifting.... but guess I will have to deal with it at some point. Bad news is that the box apparently need to come down for replacing the sensor so pretty extensive job.

[djsilverjohnson]

OK, I don't feel so bad now about the random "Transmission oil temp high" light I get at random times on my Dodge Dakota! The sensor is in the solenoid pack, mounted above the valve body. The solenoid pack was replaced several years ago and I had the random alarm both before and after. The only thing I've done that affects the frequency is to clean the harness connector to the transmission and apply silicone "bulb grease". That will keep it quiet for 6-12 months before it comes back again. Last time it came in, I checked and the connector was latched but not locked. I had a rear main start leaking and paid a shop to r&r the transmission and replace the seal. The tech didn't lock the connector latch on reassembly.

[ATLIEN]

Originally Posted by djsilverjohnson

OK, I don't feel so bad now about the random "Transmission oil temp high" light I get at random times on my Dodge Dakota! The sensor is in the solenoid pack, mounted above the valve body. The solenoid pack was replaced several years ago and I had the random alarm both before and after. The only thing I've done that affects the frequency is to clean the harness connector to the transmission and apply silicone "bulb grease". That will keep it quiet for 6-12 months before it comes back again. Last time it came in, I checked and the connector was latched but not locked. I had a rear main start leaking and paid a shop to r&r the transmission and replace the seal. The tech didn't lock the connector latch on reassembly.

I am not getting the high temp light but the transmission malfunction light from time to time which forces those annoying skip shifts. I'm more pissed that after the mechtronics being replaced and the absorbent amount that they charged my warranty company that it's not perfect.

[ATLIEN]

Originally Posted by msan

the sad thing is you can buy a used DCT Transmission for $700-1500

I might end up buying one as a spare. I have always planned on purchasing a lift and enjoy doing my own work. I may just look into it.

[GORDON.M3]

Originally Posted by ATLIEN

I might end up buying one as a spare. I have always planned on purchasing a lift and enjoy doing my own work. I may just look into it.

With the prices, I've seen for a DCT transmission in the states, it's worth looking into getting one as a spare if you have the room to place it and work on it.

[noremaC]

I have an extra DCT sitting in the garage. It ended up throwing overheating codes (phase red and black) and would automatically shift into 7th gear, even at like 20 mph. I've been pondering if I should take it apart but honestly don't know what to look for when I do. Could be Mechatronics, a faulty sensor, worn clutch packs etc. I feel the pain on this topi . Ended up putting in a low mileage DCT, coded it to the car and all has been well.

[ATLIEN]

Originally Posted by noremaC

I have an extra DCT sitting in the garage. It ended up throwing overheating codes (phase red and black) and would automatically shift into 7th gear, even at like 20 mph. I've been pondering if I should take it apart but honestly don't know what to look for when I do. Could be Mechatronics, a faulty sensor, worn clutch packs etc. I feel the pain on this topi . Ended up putting in a low mileage DCT, coded it to the car and all has been well.

Thanks for the response. I have been driving the car every few days and it shifts great so I can't think that there is anything particularly wrong with the transmission. My eyes are on a sensor or something simple but having a low mileage DCT on hand would be great too.

I've frankly given up on the dealer. I honestly think that my car is a nuisance to them and they are not putting in the work to actual troubleshoot the vehicle. Just part swapping and billing my warranty.

[Scrippy]

Originally Posted by ATLIEN

Thanks for the response. I have been driving the car every few days and it shifts great so I can't think that there is anything particularly wrong with the transmission. My eyes are on a sensor or something simple but having a low mileage DCT on hand would be great too.

I've frankly given up on the dealer. I honestly think that my car is a nuisance to them and they are not putting in the work to actual troubleshoot the vehicle. Just part swapping and billing my warranty.

How much is just the sensor not labor to do it?

[ATLIEN]

Originally Posted by Scrippy

How much is just the sensor not labor to do it?

The mechatronics was about $4k.