DCT fault codes 5a41 5a43 5a44 5a45

Rassilon · 06-30-2018, 08:30 PM

I was autoxing today and DCT went into limp mode after a hard 1to2 shift. Restarting the car seems to have addressed the limp mode, but 1to2 shift sometimes still feel weird and car sometimes directly shift to 3rd. Any tips in diagnosis is greatly appreciated!

bmwfst1 · 07-02-2018, 06:50 AM

The dct does things like that when it’s low on oil. Check and make sure there is no leak.

bmwfst1 · 07-02-2018, 10:37 AM

It will go into limp mode when low on oil.

dparm · 07-02-2018, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwardgtxy

I was autoxing today and DCT went into limp mode after a hard 1to2 shift. Restarting the car seems to have addressed the limp mode, but 1to2 shift sometimes still feel weird and car sometimes directly shift to 3rd. Any tips in diagnosis is greatly appreciated!

I had this exact same issue. Cleared the codes and it never returned. The M-DCT is fickle sometimes, but per the posts in my thread, low fluid level can cause these types of errors.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1012643

bmwfst1 · 07-02-2018, 10:43 AM

When I had the issue it happened when I hit the brakes hard or made sharp left turns.

Honda · 07-02-2018, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwfst1

When I had the issue it happened when I hit the brakes hard or made sharp left turns.

I would be really surprised if BMW/ Getrag didn't consider this when designing the DCT that when braking hard or doing hard turns that makes fluid shift and trigger these codes.

bmwfst1 · 07-02-2018, 11:47 AM

Only if low on fluid. Once I fixed my leak haven't had problems since

dparm · 07-02-2018, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honda

I would be really surprised if BMW/ Getrag didn't consider this when designing the DCT that when braking hard or doing hard turns that makes fluid shift and trigger these codes.

This kind of problem would definitely be exposed during pre-production testing. The M-DCT is the same family as the Ferrari California and a bunch of other cars, so it's not exactly like it isn't ready for hard use.

My money is still on a leak or low fluid level.

bmwfst1 · 07-02-2018, 12:01 PM

Agree that's what I would check first.

Rassilon · 07-02-2018, 01:11 PM

Thank you guys so much for all the information. I will definitely check the transmission fluid level and report back. The issue did happen when I was shifting up and entering a very tight turn.

Honda · 07-02-2018, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwardgtxy

Thank you guys so much for all the information. I will definitely check the transmission fluid level and report back. The issue did happen when I was shifting up and entering a very tight turn.

How would you check on fluid level without opening DCT box? There is no gauge on display to check this info

Rassilon · 07-02-2018, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honda

How would you check on fluid level without opening DCT box? There is no gauge on display to check this info

No idea. I got my DCT lower pan, side cover, pressure hoses all changed 3 years ago at a local shop. I am bringing the car to them again, and I assume they have some way to check it. I am sure taking off the cover will be quite obvious whether there's a new leak causing the transmission to be low on fluid.

dparm · 07-03-2018, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honda

How would you check on fluid level without opening DCT box? There is no gauge on display to check this info

You can't. However, you could basically go through the part of the change procedure where you fill it with lube and see if you can add a lot in. That would indicate it was underfilled or is leaking.

bmwfst1 · 07-03-2018, 08:35 AM

My transmission pan was soaked so that made it obvious it had a leak.

dparm · 07-03-2018, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwfst1

My transmission pan was soaked so that made it obvious it had a leak.

Gaskets can weep. I would have probably cleaned it off and checked again in a week.

Honda · 07-03-2018, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dparm

Gaskets can weep. I would have probably cleaned it off and checked again in a week.

What do you mean by gaskets can weep? Is that expected and is fine? I thought this is considered a leak regardless

dparm · 07-03-2018, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honda

What do you mean by gaskets can weep? Is that expected and is fine? I thought this is considered a leak regardless

Weeping is a leak, yes, but it's an extremely slow one that isn't causing problems. My point in recommending cleaning the pan was that you could be looking at many years worth of a slow leak which really isn't going to hurt anything.

bmwfst1 · 07-03-2018, 09:28 AM

When I saw fluid on my pan I had my tranny topped of and it took 3.5 quarts. My problems went away for about one month and returned. The side pan was leaking a lot.

Patrón · 07-03-2018, 10:40 AM

there are also vent valves it can leak from

Rassilon · 07-03-2018, 12:31 PM

Mine was leaking from 3 places 3 years ago:

Bottom pan, side cover, and 2 high pressure hose fittings.

And all 3 were changed to stop the leaks.

The car is in the shop right now, crossing my fingers…

Honda · 07-03-2018, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrón

there are also vent valves it can leak from

Where are they located?

Patrón · 07-03-2018, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honda

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrón

there are also vent valves it can leak from

Where are they located?

The one on the top of the box is where it leaks, some confusing it as the side pan leak.

06-30-2018, 08:30 PM	#1
Rassilon First Lieutenant 85 Rep 330 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 m3 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	DCT fault codes 5a41 5a43 5a44 5a45 I was autoxing today and DCT went into limp mode after a hard 1to2 shift. Restarting the car seems to have addressed the limp mode, but 1to2 shift sometimes still feel weird and car sometimes directly shift to 3rd. Any tips in diagnosis is greatly appreciated!
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07-02-2018, 06:50 AM	#2
bmwfst1 Pwrdbym 60 Rep 343 Posts Drives: red 2010 bmwm3 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: maryland iTrader: (0)	The dct does things like that when it’s low on oil. Check and make sure there is no leak.
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07-02-2018, 10:37 AM	#3
bmwfst1 Pwrdbym 60 Rep 343 Posts Drives: red 2010 bmwm3 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: maryland iTrader: (0)	It will go into limp mode when low on oil.
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07-02-2018, 10:43 AM	#5
bmwfst1 Pwrdbym 60 Rep 343 Posts Drives: red 2010 bmwm3 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: maryland iTrader: (0)	When I had the issue it happened when I hit the brakes hard or made sharp left turns.
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07-02-2018, 11:47 AM	#7
bmwfst1 Pwrdbym 60 Rep 343 Posts Drives: red 2010 bmwm3 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: maryland iTrader: (0)	Only if low on fluid. Once I fixed my leak haven't had problems since
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07-02-2018, 12:01 PM	#9
bmwfst1 Pwrdbym 60 Rep 343 Posts Drives: red 2010 bmwm3 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: maryland iTrader: (0)	Agree that's what I would check first.
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07-02-2018, 01:11 PM	#10
Rassilon First Lieutenant 85 Rep 330 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 m3 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	Thank you guys so much for all the information. I will definitely check the transmission fluid level and report back. The issue did happen when I was shifting up and entering a very tight turn.
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07-03-2018, 08:35 AM	#14
bmwfst1 Pwrdbym 60 Rep 343 Posts Drives: red 2010 bmwm3 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: maryland iTrader: (0)	My transmission pan was soaked so that made it obvious it had a leak.
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07-03-2018, 09:28 AM	#18
bmwfst1 Pwrdbym 60 Rep 343 Posts Drives: red 2010 bmwm3 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: maryland iTrader: (0)	When I saw fluid on my pan I had my tranny topped of and it took 3.5 quarts. My problems went away for about one month and returned. The side pan was leaking a lot.
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07-03-2018, 10:40 AM	#19
Patrón PAZUZU 545 Rep 2,058 Posts Drives: '15 M4 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (1) Garage List 2015 BMW M4 [0.00] 2009 BMW M3 [10.00]	there are also vent valves it can leak from __________________ 2009 M3 DCT ESS625+ SOLD 2015 M4 BSM/Silverstone F4LCON @texasMclub IG @jagemoets
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07-03-2018, 12:31 PM	#20
Rassilon First Lieutenant 85 Rep 330 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 m3 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	Mine was leaking from 3 places 3 years ago: Bottom pan, side cover, and 2 high pressure hose fittings. And all 3 were changed to stop the leaks. The car is in the shop right now, crossing my fingers…
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