To prevent damage, the engine control unit limits the maximum torque output. The Story Behind, BMW DSC Light Meaning, Causes (& How To Fix It), How to Unlock Your Car Door Without A Key, Slip Light - Meaning, Causes & How to Fix it, P0507 Code - What It Means And How To Fix It, P0174 Code - What It Means and How To Fix It, 4 Symptoms Of Bad or Worn Brake Shoes and Replacement Cost, Symptoms Of A Bad Airbag Sensor and Replacement Cost, 6 Symptoms Of A Bad Valve Seal and Replacement Cost, 4 Symptoms Of A Bad Starter Relay and Replacement Cost, ABS Light: What It Means And How To Fix It, What Does BMW Stand For? Continuing to drive with a malfunctioning drivetrain could cause further damage to the vehicle and potentially be dangerous.Cold weather can affect the performance of a vehicles drivetrain in several ways. Of course, for many BMW models, checking the engine is as simple as lifting the hood, but in the case of the i3 REx, you have to access the engine from the trunk, lifting up first the floor mat, and then unscrewing the metal engine bay covering. Magnus is the owner and main author of Mechanicbase. We recommend using only fuel with at least a 93-octane rating to prevent this problem. At this point, if you cannot still identify the root cause of the problem, use an OBD II scanner. So its been great seeing EVs (and to a lesser extent, hydrogen cars) grow in popularity. Aside from the warning on the screen, another way to diagnose a problem in the CV joint is to listen as you drive. Otherwise, you will end up compromising its performance. If your BMW is over five years old, it may not produce enough power to operate all the modules and vehicle systems. What is this error? Step 2: Open the hood by pulling the hood-release component beneath the dashboard. In that case, when your BMWs drivetrain malfunctions, it will be practically impossible for the engine power to reach the wheels. Most causes of drivetrain malfunction are based on aging and the clogging of certain parts. however i still got a drivetrain error (at a higher speed, but below highway speed). It could also keep you from starting the engine. The car's propulsion died while driving. I finally picked up the car after 2 days and immediately I get the DriveTrain error and subpar performance. Osuagwu Solomon is a certified mechanic with over a decade of experience in the mechanic garage, and he has over five years of experience in the writing industry. Nonetheless, if you often push your vehicle to the limit, the lifespan decreases. For example, there might be an oil or transmission fluid leak that needs to be repaired. Drivetrain malfunction after getting the out of temp range . Problems are always cheaper to resolve initially than when they have escalated. When the drivetrain malfunction message appears, it indicates that there is a problem with an engine or transmission component. On average, it has a lifespan of 140,000 miles. The catalytic converter is a vital part of the emissions system. Your problem could be one plug or multiple. Additionally, driving the vehicle longer than necessary could cause bigger mechanical issues, even with the motor in a limp mode. I am wondering if this is most likely because of the downpipe installed or if I need to upgrade my spark plugs for the higher power the engine is now making? . Before doing this, make sure that the engine has cooled down and park where you wont disturb others on the road. Been reading horror stories of $9,000 repairs. Heres what the steps look like to get the codes. The breakage of this component will compromise the functions of the parts that attach to it, resulting in odd sounds. I believe in mine its the temperature sensor in the Rex. Either of these things among others can cause the drivetrain (or any of the drivetrain components) to malfunction. The BMW scanner is best because it can recognize all of the manufacturer-specific codes. If you notice anything obvious, you have a better idea of what needs to happen next. How much does it cost to fix a BMW drivetrain malfunction? This error NEVER happened prior to getting the oil leak fixed. If the job seems to be too complicated at any stage in the diagnosis or repair, its time to get help from a professional. It is very odd that a drive train is malfunctioned after only 39,000 miles. Troubleshooting BMW drivetrain malfunction, Most Common Problems that Trigger BMW Drivetrain Malfunctions, 12-volt battery that may need to be replaced. After the oil leak was fixed I got an error message: DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION: DRIVE MODERATELY. Some common drivetrain problems, such as faulty transmission, can be expensive to repair, often costing thousands of dollars. You must also look for any signs of leaks of fluids or oils. It will prevent your engine from working efficiently. Generic OBD2 scanners wont help much, as they cant read manufacturer fault codes. On the other hand, replacing the catalytic converter could run $950 to $2,500, even if you dont need a professional. It was fine for a year and then I received the drive train malfunction error multiple times over 3 months but the warning would come on sporadically and then the warning would randomly go off. The drivetrain malfunctions, and the car wont start. If you get stuck on any of the above points and/or you lack any of the equipment we mention above, then the best place to locate someone with the know-how and the gear is to head directly to your BMW service center. So, it would be best to fix a vehicles malfunctioning drivetrain immediately after the problem is identified. Content is for informational purposes only. Once the BMWs computerized system detects a drivetrain malfunction, the Engine Control Module automatically limits the cars maximum torque output to prevent any imminent damage. How To Fix The BMW Drivetrain Malfunction Message? It can cause the engine to misfire or sputter. DMCA If you are on the road, find a safe spot where you can pull over and diagnose the problem. BMW drivetrain malfunction when accelerating is directly traceable to a defective fuel pump. The ignition coil is a crucial component that sends the necessary power for the spark plugs to work. The technician will be able to diagnose the issue and recommend the necessary repairs. If you want to do things like top up the oil or other fluids, this is where you add them from. What should be done about it? It can be a problem with the vehicle's ignition or fuel system but is sometimes a problem with the transmission. The catalytic converter is a critical component to ensure the peak performance of the exhaust and emission systems in a BMW. Back to the mechanic and this time they worked on troublehooting with BMW and they figured out that it was the turbo waste gate. If you have an extended warranty, it can also help depending on which warranty you have. We participate in the Amazon, Advance Auto Parts, eBayaffiliate programs and may earn a commission when you purchase using links on this site. On average, it has a lifespan of 140,000 miles. ! Drivetrain malfunction, car shut off. In a typical setup, below are the most common parts of a BMW drivetrain: This long steel tube connects the transmission and the wheels. Every time I do this towards the end of the trip I get a warning "Drivetrain Malfunction" get home, after a day it goes away and all is normal. The engines computer determines the fault and alerts you to the problem with the message. Cold weather can also cause components of the drivetrain, such as the driveshaft, to contract and potentially cause problems.To determine the cause of the drivetrain malfunction, it is recommended to have the vehicle inspected by a BMW dealer or a mechanic as soon as possible. A common cause of BMW x3 drivetrain malfunction is that the ignition coil starts failing due to exposure to extreme heat and vibration. I had intended to buy an extended warranty but never had the spare cash. Then similar stuff happened. Now I'm worried that my beloved i3 and I are screwed. You should be aware that this problem does exist within BMW cars, and you should take steps to find out if the i3 you are buying has experienced these problems in the past. There are places that can do that outside of the dealership. The symptoms of a bad fuel injector can be similar to many of the issues mentioned above. Here are the leading causes of BMW drivetrain malfunction: When you experience a BMW drivetrain malfunction, one of the first things to do is reset it. Got it back and in less than 12 hours, I was stranded again, same problem. You will need to scan both modules to get all of the error codes. They are only replaced when they go bad. Therefore, it is a no-no! The cost of repairing a BMW drivetrain defect is less expensive than the cost of fixing both the drivetrain problem and any additional . Be sure to exercise caution while driving, as the malfunction may recur or cause additional issues. You should go for a reputable dealer that assures you of high quality. I am concerned that the mechanic may have forgotten to connect something or knocked a sensor out of place. My 2014 i3 BEV just threw this warning at me on the way home from an appointment. Drivetrain malfunction on BMW X3 can be costly to repair if a symptom such as a drivetrain light illumination is ignored for a long time. Not under warranty. The bmw report they sent me said it would be $23,000 to repair!! The exact wording of the statement can vary between models. To push your inquiry too far could risk further damage to the vehicle. Two weeks later got car back. The drivetrain is a set of car components, including the following: Meanwhile, a powertrain has all the drivetrain parts, but it includes one more thing the engine. It raises the voltage, causing the electricity to jump. Let the engine rest for at least five minutes. All Rights Reserved. During this time, do not keep any lights, cooling fan, or radio on. on the way home the error went away again. I think it might be part number #13627812741? BMW Drivetrain Malfunction - Continue the journey at moderate speed - F30 HandymanCanCook 1.23K subscribers Subscribe 235 Share 277K views 5 years ago BMW Drivetrain Malfunction -. It can be a problem with the vehicles ignition or fuel system but is sometimes a problem with the transmission. It will result in better consistency. It is best to pull over immediately and inspect the car. Im finding this hard to believe, can anybody give some expert on this? link to Will Brake Fluid Remove Paint? Its best to turn the engine off and let it sit for a moment. Long story short, the car started normally about an hour later. Too bad, it took so long to figure this out. Remember that it is often more cost-effective to fix a drivetrain issue sooner rather than later, as ignoring the problem can lead to further damage and more expensive repairs. Step 4: Check the cars engine oil level. Step 2: Plugin/connect the scanner to the port. As a result, the engines valves will open and close at the right time. BMW i3 Change Vehicle Compare Average Retail Price $13,800 - $18,000 Join for Ratings and Reviews With its space-age body, super-efficient powertrain, and laser focus on its urban mission, the. We recently created this blog site to enable us to share our knowledge with other automotive mechanics and car owners. The first thing you can do is to take a wireless Internet approach to the whole problem by finding a safe place to pull over, switching the car off fully, waiting 5 minutes and then restarting. Hi Mike, how did you fix the problem? You can also try restarting the engine and inspecting the engine quickly. If your BMWs catalytic converter is clogged, it will cause the cars iDrive screen to display a drivetrain malfunction signal. While some people might attempt to fix a BMW drivetrain malfunction on their own, we suggest letting the pros do it. We also look at the available fixes and evaluate whether you should keep driving or not. This is naturally aided by very expensive gas prices, but also a genuine desire for people to try and improve the environment. Had to spend one night and got a rental. 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