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Question

Have an 1997 840 Ci. It is in "limp mode" with the trans fail-safe program message on the display on the dashboard. Mechanic performed the diagnostic today. Codes that came back are DTC 's 00120 - undocumented code; 106 stall maintenance; 100 gear monitoring 2nd - 4th gear; 100 gear monitoring 2nd - 4th gear; 40 brake light switch/pedal travel; 00036 Undocumented code; 50 fuel line switchover valve circuit; 6 wheel speed signal front right; 7 wheel speed signal front left. Also a message "stays in limp mode '3rd gear'". Mechanic says the transmission is gone and he wants $6200 to replace the tranny. The car still drives in 3rd, 4th, and 5th gear and in 1st and 2nd for the first 100 yards or so after starting it up before it defaults into the fail-safe mode. Can you please analyze/interpret these codes. Do I really new a new tranny? Help, HELP, HELP!!! Thank you for your time and attention.

Submitted: 458 days and 14 hours ago.
Category: BMW
Value: $40
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

1997 BMW 840 Ci 8 cyl E31?

Already Tried:
Diagnostic inspection The DTC's are 00120, 106, 100, 100, 40, 00036, 50, 6, & 7. Car presently driving in "limp mode." Mechanic says new tranny. Why not just a speed sensor or other electrical/voltage problem. Mechanic did not drop tranny just ascertained the diagnostic codes.

Posted by ttiger79 458 days and 12 hours ago.

Info Request

Hi!
Is your BMW at the dealership, or at a shop that is using a dealership scantool to read these codes?

458 days and 11 hours ago.

Reply

A shop, not a dealership, provided the codes. Are you able to read the codes? Do they correspond with known or standard BMW diagnostic codes. Waiting for your reply. Thank you.

Posted by ttiger79 458 days and 10 hours ago.

Answer

That's what I figured. BMW lists the codes by manufacturer code and by P-codes. Some of the codes match with the description that you gave, assuming that the shop is using a BMW scantool. Most of the codes don't make sense. It doesn't sound like you need a transmission, but I would need to get a better code list to be able to tell you for sure. It sounds more like an electrical problem to me. Do you think you can get the shop to clear the codes and drive it again to regenerate a new list of codes? Some of the codes you have listed have nothing to do with transmission operation.

458 days and 8 hours ago.

Reply

It is my understanding that P-codes don't apply to a 1997 BMW, that P-codes stop at the 1996 and go back. If that is incorrect, please let me know. Second, you mentioned that some of the codes match with the description that I gave, assuming the shop is using a BMW scantool. Specifically, which codes match with the description that I gave and which do not make sense to you. Third, you mentioned it sounds more like an electrical problem to you, what codes and/or what info. provided leads you to that preliminary assessment. Please be specific and elaborate so that I may do so when I go back to the shop, ask them to clear the codes, and drive it again. Of the codes that I gave you, is there anything about them i.e. they don't make sense that cause you to think that the shop is not using a BMW scantool but is using a non-BMW tool. Obviously I am glad that you indicated that it sounds to you like an electrical problem, what info. points you in that direction and away from needing a new transmission. Please be specific and elaborate. Finally what codes/info. do you expect to see with how I have outlined the problem and the "trans fail-safe program" message. Thank you for your time and attention.

Accepted Answer

I do believe that the shop is mis-informing you regarding the code system. P-codes are used for all manufacturers from 96 and up. It's just a more "generic" way of reading the codes, as the p-codes are not as specific as manufacturer codes are.

Assuming the codes you are listed are BMW codes, the 00120 codes corresponds with a P0500 which is a transmission speed sensor code. The 106 corresponds to a P0720 which is a output speed sesor circuit code. Both of these codes could be caused by a faulty speed sensor, or the wiring to the speed sensors. If the computer loses the signal from these sensors, the computer will put the transmission in to limp mode to keep damage from happening.

I have absolutely no listing for the 100 codes that you have listed, not sure what those are. I also have no listing for the 00036 code.

Something else to keep in mind. The other two codes you have are for a fuel switchover valve and 2 wheel speed sensor codes. A new transmission will not fix these 3 codes, as these have nothing to do with the transmission.

I would recommend having the shop clear the codes, and scope the transmission speed sensors to see what kind of signal they are producing. If the computer sees a dirty signal from the speed sensors, the transmission will go in to limp mode.

Expert: ttiger79
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 8/20/2008

ASE Certified Technician

Advanced level L1 ASE master certified auto technician

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