bmw e46 (2000 323i) transmition light is on?

Question

MY BMW(2000323I) IS MESSING UP :( MY TRANSITION LIGHT GOES ON WHEN MY CAR IS IN A UP HILL POSITION AND WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON IT SHIFTS HARD.BUT WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN A DOWNHILL AND TURN THE CAR OFF THE LIGHT GOES OFF AND THE CAR SHIFTS PERFECT.PLS HELP. I THINK IT COULD BE THE TRANI OIL?

Answer 1

The transmission oil could just be the tip of an iceberg.

Just like what Matthew said, you are driving one of the models that could potentially have some serious defects on BMW's (GM-sourced) auto transmission.

There're tons of complaints online.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/bmw_trans.html
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/01/bmw_transmission.html

If it fails on you, you can either look into replacing it with a rebuilt transmission from BMW or possibly look for a manual transmission conversion.

If you choose the BMW route, print out the webpage above and FedEx it with a letter to BMWNA directly (skip the dealers, they tend to shoot you down right away). I ended up getting BMWNA to pay for half the cost.

If you want to look into a manual transmission conversion, www.theeurodepot.com has this service advertised. They basically pull used MTs from wrecked cars and installs them for you.

Best of luck!

Answer 2

I believe that this car requires a very special transmission oil. Very expensive. Some of these cars do not have a transmission oil dip stick to measure how much transmission fluid is in the car. There is a very involved process on how to refill the transmissions with no dipstick. If you have a trans. dipstick, make sure you measure the fluid level while the car is level and trans. fluid hot. Allow the oil to drip down for at least 15 minutes of off time before checking. The graduation marks on the dipstick represent about 1/2 litre of trans. fluid. Do not overfill. BMW used to have a policy of changing the transmission fluid only at the 100,000 mile markers.

Answer 3

Sounds like your fluid is low, or one of the fluid lines are clogged up. Get your fluid flushed right away and see if that helps. It seems like you would have to have pretty good miles on the car for that to happen, as the trans fluid generally last 100,000 miles. I used to own a 2000 323i too. I loved that car. But one day, while backing out of a restaurant, the tranny quit working in reverse, and I had to replace the entire thing. Replacing it cost me $3,000 on the cheap because I found a used one in a junk yard. I hope you don't have the same problem, but I would get that thing looked at quick. One other thing, the 2000's have two different kinds of automatic transmissions. In the later part of the year, they had the steptronics, like mine was, but in the earlier part of the year was one that didn't allow you to shift gears manually. If you have the earlier one, then you are going to be in better shape I think, as they were more dependable. But the steptronic in 2000 still had kinks. By the way, my tranny went out with 110,000 miles on it. Other areas to watch out for: window regulators can go out, cooling systems problems are common for that car too, like the thermostat needing replacement, and also those little orange pixels on the dash tend to burn out. Hope that helps.

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
bmw e46 (2000 323i) transmition light is on?
MY BMW(2000323I) IS MESSING UP :( MY TRANSITION LIGHT GOES ON WHEN MY CAR IS IN A UP HILL POSITION AND WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON IT SHIFTS HARD.BUT WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN A DOWNHILL AND TURN THE CAR OFF THE LIGHT GOES OFF AND THE CAR SHIFTS PERFECT.PLS HELP. I THINK IT COULD BE THE TRANI OIL?

Answer 5

I have a 2001 B.M.W 325xi, have you checked the transmittion fluid? make sure its full but not over full. If the fluid is ok, then I would take it to the dealership.It could be a sensor.I go to the B.M.W web site sometimes it can help.

Answer 6

The oil level is low.pls top up.