The transmission didn't shift above 2nd gear after transmission fluid change?

Question

My car: BMW E34 M50.

I just drained the transmission fluid and refilled it
with new transmission fluid by the following
procedure:
1) open drain plug, drain all, put the drain plug back
2) open refill plug, refill until fluid overfloat from
the fill plug, and put the fill plug back
3) start the car, put transmission in R, N, D for few
seconds, and back to N, reopen refill plug and fill
more until fluid overfloat from the fill plug, and put
the fill plug back

But after that, I started my car, and couldn't get it
shifted above 2 (about 30 miles). I could nitice the
transmission shift between R, N, D1 and D2 very well.
But it couldn't shift from D2 to D3. I tried M1, M2,
M3 and S1, S2, S3. Both M1/M2 and S1/S2 runs well,
but still couldn't shift to 3.

Is there any step that was missing?

Thanks in advanced.

Answer 1

The transmission should shift, as you say it should. It might be a ball valve in the valve plate that has some air in that part of the system which is preventing the third gear from engaging, or, there is a band adjustment that simply has not shown up until now. I think a trip to a transmission repair shop for their evaluation might be a good idea. One other point that you didn't mention, and should have been part of the check, the filter should have been changed. You also need to check the operation of the modulator valve. The transmission shifts by virtue of engine vacuum. If that part of the system, or any linkage is not right, then there will be shifting problems. These can be checked by yourself, if you know what you are looking for, or, as I said, go to a tranny shop. If you do, be sure to tell them all that you did, and that you did not replace the transmission filter. That filter is in the bottom of the transmission, and is accessible by removing the bottom pan of the transmission.

Answer 2

I'd like to help, but I've never seen an automatic transmission with a fill port that you put fluid in until it pours out, but BMWs are different. I have a manual in my E34, which does have drain and fill plugs.

Answer 3

i would try changing the filter first, if that dont work try this test when you get to the point of where it wont go into gear release accellerator petal andaccelerate again see if it changes then, i beleave you will have to flush youe transmission cooler out you will need about 5 gallons of fluid and some hose to connect to theout side of the transmission cooler and ran into a bucket then feed transmission those 5 gallons of fluid to flush it and the lines out

Answer 4

check the transmission in park with the a/c on, transmission temp between 30-50c degrees on level ground. What is the type of transmission fluid you put in?