Well... DCT died today

[Alohaaaaa]

So I was washing my car today, and I go to start her... Starts fine, push the shifter into gear and bam. Car starts having a seizure, violently shaking and throttling back and forth. I quickly put it into D from manual, where it moved to 2nd and was fine. I got the transmission problems warning on iDrive. I continued driving, and the car would shift 2-4-6. You could not put it in R-1-3-5.



I soon after restarted it, and it ended up stalling itself out a few times before I could quickly slip it into 2nd. I was then greeted with the red cog and "transmission overheat" as well as transmission malfunction.

I brought it to BMW and set up a service appointment, but when I got in it again later to move it for them it was perfectly fine... I am still leaving it with them to diagnose. I'm sure the nasty bucking too and fro caused a few 1000km worth of instant wear on the components.

Did some google-fu and couldn't find anyone else who had the exact same problem as me.

[FormulaMMM]

Sorry to hear. How many miles?

[Alohaaaaa]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

Sorry to hear. How many miles?

38,000km. Just bought it 3 weeks ago.

[OneSickM]

After you restarted the car, the problem is gone? If so, then most probably it is just as software problem

[Alohaaaaa]

Originally Posted by OneSickM

After you restarted the car, the problem is gone? If so, then most probably it is just as software problem

It stayed a few restarts.

It went away after the car sat for 30 min or so. The part that worries me is I got a "transmission overheat".

If there's nothing wrong that they can find will they charge me for bringing it in?

[MKidd]

Originally Posted by 3SPKY5U

It stayed a few restarts.

It went away after the car sat for 30 min or so. The part that worries me is I got a "transmission overheat".

If there's nothing wrong that they can find will they charge me for bringing it in?

Of course they will, no mechanic will look at a car for free... if anything, they can cut some diagnosis time off reducing your bills final cost.

[FormulaMMM]

Depending upon your relationship with the dealer they may or may not charge you for diagnosis time. I'd allow for the potential for it to be a temporary electrical gremlin. If someone is going to have to continue to drive the car to actually establish that there is a problem, might as well be you.

[EJT86]

If you bought it from a dealership Id definitely make them diagnose the car for free...problems after only three weeks doesn't sound like pure coincidence...check of your clutches are properly adapted

[Alohaaaaa]

Well I do work for a shop that has an account with them too. But why check out my own car when I have warranty?

I got the car from a Mercedes dealership of all places...

[Gossypiboma]

Wow

What a misleading title. Died...No Hiccup..yes

[Alohaaaaa]

Originally Posted by BigBoosting

Wow

What a misleading title. Died...No Hiccup..yes

Felt pretty dead to me. I've never had a transmission try to rip my car apart and be "fine", and I've had my fair share of cars.

Actually last time something like that happened the clutch disk had actually fused itself to the flywheel and required a tranny drop.

[apecush]

take it back to bmw if it is under warranty. the error will be logged, so that will give them a starting point.

[jdamore]

If you were washing your car, ever think you could have gotten water in some place it shouldn't be?

Makes sense since the car was fine later on (the water dried up)

Edit-
Lets speculate.. The last owner sold the car because everytime he washed it, he had an issue. If I'm correct, I would have the dealer inspect all plugs and wiring harnesses corresponding to the trans for openings. They should know it happened immediately after a wash..

[Alohaaaaa]

Originally Posted by jdamore

If you were washing your car, ever think you could have gotten water in some place it shouldn't be?

Makes sense since the car was fine later on (the water dried up)

Edit-
Lets speculate.. The last owner sold the car because everytime he washed it, he had an issue. If I'm correct, I would have the dealer inspect all plugs and wiring harnesses corresponding to the trans for openings. They should know it happened immediately after a wash..

The last owner traded it in because he was scared to drive an M3 in winter. The car is certified. My friend knows the previous owner.

I've washed it like 10 times, no issue.

[Alohaaaaa]

UPDATE: just heard back from BMW. Clutches weren't properly adapted.

[azndrunk74]

good luck. hope you get your issues resolved..i'm currently facing a DCT issue myself. let us know if it improves after the new adaptation.

i will be doing a fluid flush/filter change + new adaptation to try to fix my issue.

[EJT86]

Looks like I was right!!

[Alohaaaaa]

Drives pretty good now. No more throttle lag off first gear too.

[Alohaaaaa]

Well shit. It's back. Right after a car wash again, so it has to be water getting in. It fixes itself after 30 min...

I'm telling the SA to soak the car before the techs check it out.

[jdamore]

Sorry to hear your issue didn't go away. Do you drive the car in the rain?

Do you spray the under side of the car when you wash it?

[Alohaaaaa]

Originally Posted by jdamore

Sorry to hear your issue didn't go away. Do you drive the car in the rain?

Do you spray the under side of the car when you wash it?

It wont rain for a few months yet here.

Nope. Just the surface.

[Alohaaaaa]

Ok... Third time it's happened. Caught it on film.

They couldn't re-create it the first or second time, so I emailed the video to my SA. He says they will hold onto it until it happens... But he also said "clutches and transmissions aren't under warranty unless you have service inclusive plus"??? There is no way this is user fault, it's obviously an issue from BMW.

I hope I don't have to have a big fight over this.

My car is 2.2ish years old, and only has only 40,000km (BMW Canada gives 80,000km warranty from new).

This is without even washing it today. Just starting it after grabbing some lunch.