Anyone ever change mechatronics unit?

[madrit21]

So after months of having a jump/jerk in first gear and reverse coming off a stop, ive been assured that im having problems with my mechatronics unit. Has anyone ever had to replace their mechatronics unit? And what were the symptoms? Pricing?

[deansbimmer]

Since it's inside the transmission, you need to remove the transmission and the side cover to replace the mechatronic and then recode it to your car. A new mechatronic costs over $4000. I would not trust a used one either unless it came from a small list of trustworthy sources. Labor-wise, you're looking at around 14 hours.

Have you pulled the fault codes of your existing unit? It's rare to have a faulty mechatronic. For the difficulties, costs, and potential complications involved above, most would simply replace the transmission if they suspect it's faulty. Good used transmissions can be found around $2000 or less, and at that point aside from coding it's a simple R&R, so around 8 hours labor.

Shop labor rates run from $100-180/hr.

[SVH]

Originally Posted by madrit21

So after months of having a jump/jerk in first gear and reverse coming off a stop, ive been assured that im having problems with my mechatronics unit. Has anyone ever had to replace their mechatronics unit? And what were the symptoms? Pricing?

Yep, I have.

Back in 2013. My first symptoms were the car stalled in 1st gear at stop light and would not reset into park, therefore would not start. After 20 minutes the car did reset to park and started. Got the car to ACM where the car again stalled and AMC trying to figure what's up. After checking everything electrical,but not able to locate the problem, and not able to start it, they shipped it to a BMW dealer.

Dealer check everything, check every wire for a short. suggested and replaced trans Control Unit CAS:613020 for $383.19 before spending $$ on Mechatronic:243020 for $3953.97. Installation kit too ($226.24)......
While I hoped that it would have been just a short in a wire, or just the Control Unit, or just something simple, it continue to snowball, and 6 weeks later, finally fixed.Total was $7587....

That episode sucked

[Impastokitsch]

Originally Posted by SVH

Yep, I have.

Back in 2013. My first symptoms were the car stalled in 1st gear at stop light and would not reset into park, therefore would not start. After 20 minutes the car did reset to park and started. Got the car to ACM where the car again stalled and AMC trying to figure what's up. After checking everything electrical,but not able to locate the problem, and not able to start it, they shipped it to a BMW dealer.

Dealer check everything, check every wire for a short. suggested and replaced trans Control Unit CAS:613020 for $383.19 before spending $$ on Mechatronic:243020 for $3953.97. Installation kit too ($226.24)......
While I hoped that it would have been just a short in a wire, or just the Control Unit, or just something simple, it continue to snowball, and 6 weeks later, finally fixed.Total was $7587....

That episode sucked

Any reasons why it failed? What mileage may i ask?

[Siajoon]

Originally Posted by Impastokitsch

Any reasons why it failed? What mileage may i ask?

I'm assuming this only relates to DCT transmission?

[wyatth]

Yes, mechatronics are only on the DCT.


Sounds like a mechantronics failure (rare!) = transmission replacement.

[SVH]

Originally Posted by Impastokitsch

Any reasons why it failed? What mileage may i ask?

Don't know why or what failed on the mechatronic unit - like having a motherboard fail, just have to replace it. Car had 53,498 miles on her, just past warrantee...

[amrazM]

Originally Posted by wyatth

Yes, mechatronics are only on the DCT.


Sounds like a mechantronics failure (rare!) = transmission replacement.

All the recent BMW transmissions use a mechatronics units, E90,E60 pretty much anything with a Zf transmission.

[wyatth]

We’re on an M3 forum. The guy asked if it applies only to DCT. I think in this context its fair to assume that the only alternative transmission is a 6MT, which doesn’t have a mechatronics.

But I’m curious, which E60 models have it? Im surprised if the SMG in the M5/6 has it, but I don’t even know what transmission are in the non-Ms.

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by wyatth

We’re on an M3 forum. The guy asked if it applies only to DCT. I think in this context its fair to assume that the only alternative transmission is a 6MT, which doesn’t have a mechatronics.

This. In an M3 forum the context is either DCT or 6MT. Obviously a manual doesn't have any eletcronic transmission controls.

"Mechatronics" is loosely considered any internal transmission electrical control assembly such as a solenoid valve body. Almost all automatic transmissions will have a part labeled mechatronics. SMG does not, its external actuator assembly is simply called the hydraulic unit.

[amrazM]

Originally Posted by wyatth

We’re on an M3 forum. The guy asked if it applies only to DCT. I think in this context its fair to assume that the only alternative transmission is a 6MT, which doesn’t have a mechatronics.

But I’m curious, which E60 models have it? Im surprised if the SMG in the M5/6 has it, but I don’t even know what transmission are in the non-Ms.

535/550 with zf trans have a mechatronics.

Sorry I was answering the question in general.


Also to add the mechatronics is a coded part and vin locked, if you put a used on in without writing the vin the gws won’t communicate at all.

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by amrazM

Also to add the mechatronics is a coded part and vin locked, if you put a used on in without writing the vin the gws won’t communicate at all.

Yes, and it's the same inconvenience if you replace the transmission whole. Either way requires coding as mentioned earlier. Its a pita but luckily bad DCT's are few and far between.

[amrazM]

Luckily for us our DCT units are pretty robust, the newer F series models have issues specifically the f10 dkg box has issues with shift rods bending and locking In gear.