Steptronic Transmission -- No DS mode..?

landau88 · 05-02-2011, 04:31 PM

So I was driving up from Philly to Newark Liberty International Airport Sunday morning and noticed that when I move the steptronic transmission over to the left, it doesn't switch to DS mode, it stays in D mode. I've noticed that its not only the electronic display malfunctioning because normally when I shift into DS mode, it will downshift one gear and that is not happening. When I shift manually, it does shift into M mode, but after not touching it for about 5 seconds (while still in M mode), it switches back to D mode. Has anyone ever had this happen? I'm on vacation in the Domican Republic, but plan to call my SA once I get home.

fdriller9 · 05-02-2011, 07:59 PM

Yes. Search.

335i Pal · 05-02-2011, 08:10 PM

Just had this happen to my car few months ago, its the solenoid in the whole gear shift assembly. Bad news is they have to replace the whole assembly for $800+ unless your under warranty. And sorry to say there is no good news.

landau88 · 05-02-2011, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335i Pal

Just had this happen to my car few months ago, its the solenoid in the whole gear shift assembly. Bad news is they have to replace the whole assembly for $800+ unless your under warranty. And sorry to say there is no good news.

Thanks for the info. I have 2 months of factory warranty remaining + 2 years of CPO. I should be covered, no?

335i Pal · 05-02-2011, 10:24 PM

I would think that would be covered.

N55 · 05-02-2011, 10:26 PM

yeah you should still be good.

335i Pal · 05-03-2011, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by landau88

Thanks for the info. I have 2 months of factory warranty remaining + 2 years of CPO. I should be covered, no?

I almost forgot I was out of warranty by 1500 miles and they covered mine under their goodwill program, so you should be good as well. And then all parts are covered by a 2 year warranty.

landau88 · 05-03-2011, 04:41 PM

Another question that came across my mind - I bought this 2007 CPO 335xi this past february and this is already the third issue that has caused my car to go in for non-scheduled service. First, one of the rear windows stopped working and it needed a new regulator. Second, it needed a new muffler. Now this transmission issue. I'm starting l hear wastegate rattle so who knows when the turbos will go. Is this normal? Should I be looking into having BMWNA buyback my car? The idea of having my car in for service every single month is starting to concern me, especially as my warranties begin to expire...

username604 · 05-03-2011, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by landau88

Another question that came across my mind - I bought this 2007 CPO 335xi this past february and this is already the third issue that has caused my car to go in for non-scheduled service. First, one of the rear windows stopped working and it needed a new regulator. Second, it needed a new muffler. Now this transmission issue. I'm starting l hear wastegate rattle so who knows when the turbos will go. Is this normal? Should I be looking into having BMWNA buyback my car? The idea of having my car in for service every single month is starting to concern me, especially as my warranties begin to expire...

Buyback is when the manufacturer fails to fix the same thing more than 3 times. In most cases it's the hpfp that BMW seems to not have a solution for that gets people's cars bought back. In your case all the repairs have been different.

username604 · 05-03-2011, 07:41 PM

Sorry I can't edit, I'm on mobile
But I remember reading that the DS fails because a certain wire snaps and all you have to do is replace the wire, but you might as well get it done under warranty. I actually sparingly use DS because I don't want it to break once I'm out of warranty cause I'll be in off in college barely driving my car twice a month, all highway, and I won't be spending $800 to get into DS.

landau88 · 05-08-2011, 09:48 PM

Do you guys think this was caused by the fact that I switch between D and manual mode several times every time I drive my car? I'm assuming my higher than average use of the feature might be responsible for the damage, but don't want to have to stop using this feature in fear of it failing again...

N55 · 05-09-2011, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by landau88

Do you guys think this was caused by the fact that I switch between D and manual mode several times every time I drive my car? I'm assuming my higher than average use of the feature might be responsible for the damage, but don't want to have to stop using this feature in fear of it failing again...

I usually drive is DS mode at all times unless there is congested traffic where I only use D mode. I'd say I switch in and out of it about 5 times average per day. I have yet to have any problems

Insider · 05-09-2011, 11:29 AM

I switch between D and DS a lot also and my DS mode broke a few months ago. Fortunately, it was still under warranty.

ronn16E90 · 08-13-2011, 01:09 AM

^^ whats their findings??? coz I just replaced my shift assembly and still dosent work

BTTGMan · 08-13-2011, 06:46 AM

There's a diy on this fix. Like the guy above said, some wire snapped.

Mr.E92 · 08-13-2011, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTTGMan

There's a diy on this fix. Like the guy above said, some wire snapped.

+1

it's a very common problem for those who use DS Mode on their steptronic cars.

Search the NA section. It's a real easy fix, no need to replace the whole gear shift assembly.

AddictedToBavarian · 08-13-2011, 09:23 AM

Interesting. I'm going to search for the DIY in case I need that in the future. I too switch back and forth quite often.

Chriztofor · 08-13-2011, 09:40 AM

Could be as simple as a crossed/crushed gear shift wire, search.

ronn16E90 · 08-13-2011, 01:13 PM

I replaced my shift assembly and still didnt work. Maybe it needs to be reprogrammed

aznevoviii · 08-13-2011, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronn16E90

I replaced my shift assembly and still didnt work. Maybe it needs to be reprogrammed

I brought mine to dealer for same issue, but mine wasnt assembly it was cutted paddle shifter wire. When I had my dealer install steering wheel, they messed up the paddle wire. They had to put new paddles to fix the problem

ronn16E90 · 08-14-2011, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aznevoviii

I brought mine to dealer for same issue, but mine wasnt assembly it was cutted paddle shifter wire. When I had my dealer install steering wheel, they messed up the paddle wire. They had to put new paddles to fix the problem

I do not have a paddles though.

Me_Hi · 09-10-2011, 07:38 PM

Those wire covered by the electric tape are tucked in a sharp 90* angles. That's where I found my cut wires and the shield on several others were broken. 20 minutes fix saved me so much $. I love this forum

05-02-2011, 04:31 PM	#1
landau88 First Lieutenant 26 Rep 303 Posts Drives: 2007 335xi Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	Steptronic Transmission -- No DS mode..? So I was driving up from Philly to Newark Liberty International Airport Sunday morning and noticed that when I move the steptronic transmission over to the left, it doesn't switch to DS mode, it stays in D mode. I've noticed that its not only the electronic display malfunctioning because normally when I shift into DS mode, it will downshift one gear and that is not happening. When I shift manually, it does shift into M mode, but after not touching it for about 5 seconds (while still in M mode), it switches back to D mode. Has anyone ever had this happen? I'm on vacation in the Domican Republic, but plan to call my SA once I get home.
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05-02-2011, 07:59 PM	#2
fdriller9 Banned 253 Rep 7,089 Posts Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [6.44]	Yes. Search.
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05-02-2011, 08:10 PM	#3
335i Pal Second Lieutenant 19 Rep 284 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Ohio iTrader: (1)	Just had this happen to my car few months ago, its the solenoid in the whole gear shift assembly. Bad news is they have to replace the whole assembly for $800+ unless your under warranty. And sorry to say there is no good news. __________________ 335i E90 \| BMS DCI \| Black Matte Grill \| JB4 \| Logic 7 \| Sport \| Premium \| Cold \|
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05-02-2011, 10:24 PM	#5
335i Pal Second Lieutenant 19 Rep 284 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Ohio iTrader: (1)	I would think that would be covered. __________________ 335i E90 \| BMS DCI \| Black Matte Grill \| JB4 \| Logic 7 \| Sport \| Premium \| Cold \|
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05-02-2011, 10:26 PM	#6
N55 ⒸⒺⓇⓉⓘⒻⒾⒺⒹ✬ⓃⒾⓃⒿⒶ 137 Rep 1,475 Posts Drives: 🚀 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (3) Garage List 2015 BMW M4 [0.00] 2012 BMW 335IS (SOLD) [6.84] 2011 BMW 335XI (SOLD) [4.66] 2008 BMW 335xi (SOLD) [10.00]	yeah you should still be good.
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05-03-2011, 04:41 PM	#8
landau88 First Lieutenant 26 Rep 303 Posts Drives: 2007 335xi Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	Another question that came across my mind - I bought this 2007 CPO 335xi this past february and this is already the third issue that has caused my car to go in for non-scheduled service. First, one of the rear windows stopped working and it needed a new regulator. Second, it needed a new muffler. Now this transmission issue. I'm starting l hear wastegate rattle so who knows when the turbos will go. Is this normal? Should I be looking into having BMWNA buyback my car? The idea of having my car in for service every single month is starting to concern me, especially as my warranties begin to expire...
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05-03-2011, 07:41 PM	#10
username604 Colonel 124 Rep 2,554 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: repair shop iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [10.00]	Sorry I can't edit, I'm on mobile But I remember reading that the DS fails because a certain wire snaps and all you have to do is replace the wire, but you might as well get it done under warranty. I actually sparingly use DS because I don't want it to break once I'm out of warranty cause I'll be in off in college barely driving my car twice a month, all highway, and I won't be spending $800 to get into DS.
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05-08-2011, 09:48 PM	#11
landau88 First Lieutenant 26 Rep 303 Posts Drives: 2007 335xi Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	Do you guys think this was caused by the fact that I switch between D and manual mode several times every time I drive my car? I'm assuming my higher than average use of the feature might be responsible for the damage, but don't want to have to stop using this feature in fear of it failing again...
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05-09-2011, 11:29 AM	#13
Insider Captain 14 Rep 710 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: 4,500 feet above sea level iTrader: (0)	I switch between D and DS a lot also and my DS mode broke a few months ago. Fortunately, it was still under warranty. __________________ http://www.insiderpicks.com - The world's best stock picks.
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08-13-2011, 01:09 AM	#14
ronn16E90 Major 130 Rep 1,291 Posts Drives: E90 N52 & E92 m3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Auburn iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 E92 M3 [0.00] 2006 325i [9.00]	^^ whats their findings??? coz I just replaced my shift assembly and still dosent work __________________
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08-13-2011, 06:46 AM	#15
BTTGMan Banned 16 Rep 539 Posts Drives: 335xi coupe - space gray Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	There's a diy on this fix. Like the guy above said, some wire snapped.
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08-13-2011, 09:23 AM	#17
AddictedToBavarian My other ride is a Bianchi Infinito 96 Rep 2,767 Posts Drives: Miss my E92 but love my E46 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (2)	Interesting. I'm going to search for the DIY in case I need that in the future. I too switch back and forth quite often.
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08-13-2011, 09:40 AM	#18
Chriztofor Colonel 103 Rep 2,783 Posts Drives: '06 325i and '13 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (1)	Could be as simple as a crossed/crushed gear shift wire, search. __________________ If no codes are being thrown use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner (concentrate). It solves rpm fluctuating upon cold start-up. Also, for most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the Peake Research Tool. It contains the actual BMW codes. If you want to register a newly installed battery for free (just buy a $10 cable) and google/download BMWLogger
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08-13-2011, 01:13 PM	#19
ronn16E90 Major 130 Rep 1,291 Posts Drives: E90 N52 & E92 m3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Auburn iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 E92 M3 [0.00] 2006 325i [9.00]	I replaced my shift assembly and still didnt work. Maybe it needs to be reprogrammed __________________
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09-10-2011, 07:38 PM	#22
Me_Hi Major 34 Rep 1,488 Posts Drives: * Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: * iTrader: (13)	Those wire covered by the electric tape are tucked in a sharp 90* angles. That's where I found my cut wires and the shield on several others were broken. 20 minutes fix saved me so much $. I love this forum __________________
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