[PAS593]

have a look on: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/select
put the last 7 digits of your VIN number in the "serial number " search and you can go through and get the proper part number for your gearbox as well as any other parts on the car

yep done that and got the part numbers, quite a few variants within 2018 (superseded by etc.)....

 

[DMLaw]

to be fair, your specialist probably would have suggested flush if they thought it would work [ if they are honest ], BMW dont realy care because the amount of serious issues is small in the grand scheme of things and angry customers are just classed as acceptable losses, no different than other big buisness, doesn't do you any good though sadly. IMO BMW are amongst the small amount of excellent makes and if treated correctly from new they would prove that IE a gearbox run in service at around 1000 MILES/KM's, but they dont as they pander to the fleet buyers, usualy by the time issues arise the vehicle has passed to the next owner with either no warranty or a non BMW aftermarket warranty both of which works to the benefit of BMW, all the manufacturers work like this to a greater or lesser extent, it's just the Motor trade where the end user comes last and always will, it really means all new owners new or second hand need to be "on the ball" when it comes to their vehicles, but that would mean education so that will never happen 😉 i dont like gossip about vehicle faults though as they cause more Red Herrings than anything as major faults usualy are a tiny minority, i remember when Ford first started using single point fuel injection across their range, the public were used to Carburettors and pumping throttle pedals and as a result the new cars were flooding right left and center even though starting instructions stated dont touch the throttle while cranking, the gossip started and Ford were slagged off as never starting in the cold or wet, but the reality at the time was for every ford that didnt start 2000 always did...the negative news won as it always does, People [me included ] love to rant and rave and blame anyone and anything, it's just human nature, life is frustrating and cars realy realy dont help, we could all buy horses, but then some of us would end up being kicked in the nuts and the seller would get the blame for selling a dodgy horse

I have been following the posts with interest as my 2018 X1, 47,000 miles is also showing the drivetrain warning on the dash.
I had similar lumpy shift issues at about 37,000 miles and BMW did a software update and reset and its been fine until now.
I've just had it back in for a software update and reset again but after a few miles the light is back on.
If you switch ignition off and then back on it resets itself until the light comes back on, sometimes after a good few Miles and other times only after a few.
I'm convinced that this is an electrical issue as the box performs exactly as it should when it's working fine.
I too will change the oil this weekend to see if it helps and check the electrical plugs on the box but I must thank you for your Informative input.

In the event that I cannot resolve the issue, do you have any recommendations for a company that specialises in Aisin boxes?

Do you know if you can reset the gearbox parameters with an OBD 2 scanner or would it be a dealer thing?

Thanks again and I'll update the post when I've changed the oil.

Dave.

 

[brucefraser12011962]

I have been following the posts with interest as my 2018 X1, 47,000 miles is also showing the drivetrain warning on the dash.
I had similar lumpy shift issues at about 37,000 miles and BMW did a software update and reset and its been fine until now.
I've just had it back in for a software update and reset again but after a few miles the light is back on.
If you switch ignition off and then back on it resets itself until the light comes back on, sometimes after a good few Miles and other times only after a few.
I'm convinced that this is an electrical issue as the box performs exactly as it should when it's working fine.
I too will change the oil this weekend to see if it helps and check the electrical plugs on the box but I must thank you for your Informative input.

In the event that I cannot resolve the issue, do you have any recommendations for a company that specialises in Aisin boxes?

Do you know if you can reset the gearbox parameters with an OBD 2 scanner or would it be a dealer thing?

Thanks again and I'll update the post when I've changed the oil.

Dave.

i think many specialists will work on these provided they can get the components, the gearbox can be reset, programmed and coded with a good diagnostic tool, i use the Launch Euro Tab III, it is expensive though, but i am sure other good ones will do the same, as for your gearbox, it would be interesting to know the fault code if any, good luck, i hope the fluid change works for you.

 

[DMLaw]

i think many specialists will work on these provided they can get the components, the gearbox can be reset, programmed and coded with a good diagnostic tool, i use the Launch Euro Tab III, it is expensive though, but i am sure other good ones will do the same, as for your gearbox, it would be interesting to know the fault code if any, good luck, i hope the fluid change works for you.

The fault code shown is 4204F1 which seems to be common. (Gear ratio monitoring gear 7
Clutch C2 or C3 open incorrectly.)

 

[brucefraser12011962]

it is IMO unlikely that a fluid change will help, but it's worth a try, most likely a sticking solenoid

 

[DMLaw]

it is IMO unlikely that a fluid change will help, but it's worth a try, most likely a sticking solenoid

 

[brucefraser12011962]

That would be a mechatronic replacement then? I'm assuming the solenoids are contained within the mechatronic assembly.

that is the route i would go down, its relatively easy and you will know very quickly if you are successful or not, the other option is a low mileage complete second hand unit

 

[DMLaw]

that is the route i would go down, its relatively easy and you will know very quickly if you are successful or not, the other option is a low mileage complete second hand unit

Have you any experience of changing the mechatronic valve unit? I cannot find a tutorial that covers the transverse engined 8 speed version.
Is it box out? In situ? I've seen them changed on ZF boxes which looks straight forward but not the BMW Aisin

 

[brucefraser12011962]

it should be possible to replace with the GB in situ, you may need to move a couple of things but there is plenty of room from beneath

 

[DMLaw]

it should be possible to replace with the GB in situ, you may need to move a couple of things but there is plenty of room from beneath

Thank you for your help. Dave.

 

[brucefraser12011962]

you are welcome, i hope you get sorted soon

 

[DMLaw]

you are welcome, i hope you get sorted soon

 

[brucefraser12011962]

there is no filler level, you need to drain the box and get an approx measurement of what you have drained, you won't be able to drain the full amount as a good bit is left in the torque convertor, refill with fresh fluid matching your measurement, do this at least 3 times to water down the used amount that is left, running the engine and putting into all gears for a few seconds each refill, this will mix old with new, to refill remove the sensor from the top of the gearbox and fill there,when refilling final time an operating temp of 40 to 45 degrees is required, with the engine running remove the small center drain plug, if fluid comes out leave until it stops running, if nothing comes out add a liter to the gearbox [ engine off ! ] and try again, once done reset the gearbox control and reset GB learning.
hope that helps and you get good results......B

 

[DMLaw]

there is no filler level, you need to drain the box and get an approx measurement of what you have drained, you won't be able to drain the full amount as a good bit is left in the torque convertor, refill with fresh fluid matching your measurement, do this at least 3 times to water down the used amount that is left, running the engine and putting into all gears for a few seconds each refill, this will mix old with new, to refill remove the sensor from the top of the gearbox and fill there,when refilling final time an operating temp of 40 to 45 degrees is required, with the engine running remove the small center drain plug, if fluid comes out leave until it stops running, if nothing comes out add a liter to the gearbox [ engine off ! ] and try again, once done reset the gearbox control and reset GB learning.
hope that helps and you get good results......B

Ah. I was assuming from reading your posts that the centre plug that you mention and the fluid running out if it was the filler level.
Just to clarify, the centre plug is it on the gearbox casing?

 

[symze01]

Ah. I was assuming from reading your posts that the centre plug that you mention and the fluid running out if it was the filler level.
Just to clarify, the centre plug is it on the gearbox casing?

I’ve got a pdf of the BMW procedure for this can send you it later when I get in, on train at the moment

 

[DMLaw]

I’ve got a pdf of the BMW procedure for this can send you it later when I get in, on train at the moment

I’ve got a pdf of the BMW procedure for this can send you it later when I get in, on train at the moment

Depending on where you are, you might end up doing it yet🤣😍 Seriously though I'm immensely grateful for your assistance.

Dave

 

[brucefraser12011962]

Ah. I was assuming from reading your posts that the centre plug that you mention and the fluid running out if it was the filler level.
Just to clarify, the centre plug is it on the gearbox casing?

thats correct it is for the level, but it must be done engine running and correct temp, there is no level plug on the side of the gearbox

 

[brucefraser12011962]

Depending on where you are, you might end up doing it yet🤣😍 Seriously though I'm immensely grateful for your assistance.
On another note and after extensive research I have found a company that can offer to test diagnose strip, test and offer repairs on the mechatronic unit. This is re assuring if I cannot rectify by means of oil change.
Dave

the solenoids seem to be the issue and these can be bought from a couple of places in the UK and many more in Europe

 

[PAS593]

Depending on where you are, you might end up doing it yet🤣😍 Seriously though I'm immensely grateful for your assistance.
On another note and after extensive research I have found a company that can offer to test diagnose strip, test and offer repairs on the mechatronic unit. This is re assuring if I cannot rectify by means of oil change.
Dave

just DM'd you the document. For info I have managed to track a used gearbox down which arrived yesterday, fingers crossed it fits but whilst you are doing the fill work try and take note of any part numbers, there should be a sticker on the electronic control unit, one on the oil pan that should have the part number and gear box code and there is also a tag on the nearside with the gear box code. Its hard to get to but I put my camera on my phone and slid it down so I could see it. GA8Q45HW was mine which is different to what I was expecting so its worth checking... good luck.

 

[DMLaw]

the solenoids seem to be the issue and these can be bought from a couple of places in the UK and many more in Europe

Thanks for the info.
Oil successfuly changed today from black to red. Many thanks for your informative correspondence. Let's see how it performs now.