Drivetrain/trans malfunction

[Mattboyd]

Part stores can check codes.

I can't get it out of park. When I try and put it in drive or reverse it just goes back into park. Guessing it's some sort of failsafe so you don't damage or cause anymore issues with whatever is going on.

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[Mattboyd]

So, my a90 has been stuck at the mechanic since dec 20th. He has a "generic" code reader which pulled 6-7 codes, however he was unable to determine what the issue was due to it being a BMW and not having ISTA or something that can read more indepth. He's looked at the car as best as he can.

I downloaded Bimmerlink and used it today. Only major error it detected was a lambda O2 sensor issue. Code 128901. He said he doubts that would stop the car from going into D.

Basically I can not get it out of park. Engine seems fine, coolant and oil levels seem good, however when I try and put it in N D or R it just goes straight back into park.

Anyone have ANY clue what it could be? Anyone had something similar happen and it got fixed?

Only other thing I can think off is getting it towed to a BMW dealership and having them look at it. Goodness knows how much that will cost lol

 

[Eastwood]

Pretty sure BMW dealership won’t work on your car. Better off going to a reputable BMW shop.

At that point I would start looking at replacing the entire shifter assembly? Or at least removing it for inspection.

 

[Mattboyd]

Pretty sure BMW dealership won’t work on your car. Better off going to a reputable BMW shop.

At that point I would start looking at replacing the entire shifter assembly? Or at least removing it for inspection.

Good point, I guess I'mma have to find a local mechanic who can work on BMW.

Weird how I was driving perfectly fine, absolutely no problem when the trans error came up and after I put it in P on the side of the road, boom, that was it!

 

[tracer bullet]

I downloaded Bimmerlink and used it today. Only major error it detected was a lambda O2 sensor issue. Code 128901. He said he doubts that would stop the car from going into D.

That doesn't seem right, Bimmerlink usually shows like a bajillion stored codes for the smallest things that happened just once.

You might want to make a list of everything it found historically, just in case (screen shots perhaps). Then clear them all, then start the car again and try to drive it and see what comes back.

Could be as simple as an electronic thing like not knowing you're stepping on the brake pedal or something but the codes will say, and there should be far more than an O2 sensor which agreed would not cause this.

 

[M340Manny]

The Car returning back to Neutral in my experience could be a plethera of things, for example were the doors closed, hood and trunk might possibly do the same thing. I drove around with a bad O2 for a week or so definitely does not cause a Limp Mode condition. Have you scanned it with XHP to see if you can pull codes from the Trans, or possibly the software you're tuned with.

 

[Mattboyd]

The Car returning back to Neutral in my experience could be a plethera of things, for example were the doors closed, hood and trunk might possibly do the same thing. I drove around with a bad O2 for a week or so definitely does not cause a Limp Mode condition. Have you scanned it with XHP to see if you can pull codes from the Trans, or possibly the software you're tuned with.

It's a used 2020 I bought last June. Dealer said it was tuned but I have no clue with what or by who.

Yes, door, hood etc was all closed. Looking online some say it could be a fuse, break light switch ( I checked the break lights worked) or low trans fluid, solenoid etc

 

[Mattboyd]

That doesn't seem right, Bimmerlink usually shows like a bajillion stored codes for the smallest things that happened just once.

You might want to make a list of everything it found historically, just in case (screen shots perhaps). Then clear them all, then start the car again and try to drive it and see what comes back.

Could be as simple as an electronic thing like not knowing you're stepping on the brake pedal or something but the codes will say, and there should be far more than an O2 sensor which agreed would not cause this.

There was a bunch of older codes but it's a used 2020 and I've only done 3k in it since purchased last June. Never had any issues related to this. I did try clearing the codes, most cleared, some didn't clear.

I ran bimmerlink several times with the car on. The only hard code was the lambda code. Wouldn't clear either for some reason.

I'm at a complete lose as to what is going on. Car seems to start and run ok, just won't let me get out of park !

 

[M340Manny]

best bet is to get your hands on Ista and a Enet cable, or take it to a reputable bmw shop

 

[Mattboyd]

best bet is to get your hands on Ista and a Enet cable, or take it to a reputable bmw shop

Yeah, there's a place not too far from me that is independent and has good reviews and works on BMW so I guess I'mma get it towed to them

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