[Mannix]

Car is 2011 E92 335i with automatic (not DCT).

November 2016 I got an iPhone and put Carly on it. Noticed some code that consistently showed up that had something to do with the transmission. That same code never showed up on my p3cars gauge.

Then manual mode stopped working. Sport mode still worked.

I had the Alpina B3 flash. The one that causes the 1-2 shift to occur very low, at 1500 rpm. I had this flash done 3 years ago. Worked fine up to Nov '16.

I took it to the dealer to have them replace the transmission module. They said it needed to be "re-coded". So I had them do it. They also had to reinstall my Dinan tune.

Picked the car up, manual mode still wasn't working. Took it back. They said $15000 to fix it.

Does it really cost $15000 to have the module replaced?

Does the module even need to be replaced?

I researched and found similar issues relating to broken shifter wires. But I checked it out and didn't see any wiring issues. Besides, as I said, sport mode works.

What else could cause manual mode not to work?

[victorg95]

Lol I would laugh and flick them off as I walk out

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

15k sounds like a whole new transmission and a happy ending every Friday for the next 4 years.

[IllSic_Design]

Even if S mode still works it could still be the wires under/behind the shift lever. There are quite a few wires and depending on which one breaks a different issue occurs. I would definitely check more into the wiring by the shift lever, they can look fine until you actually get in there and dig them out, you won't see a crack/break until you pull the electrical tape/wrap off the wires.

[Needbmwpartzz]

You can get a whole new car for that much:.....run and run far away from the stealer trying to do their thang.

[OTN55]

alpina doesnt do a transmission flash for the dct.... none of them have dct boxes

[Adieu]

No.

Manual mode and DS cutting out is wiring damage where the harness plugs into the shifter

Pull off the shifter knob then pull on the trim piece and boot to pull it off and expose the wires. Look for damage.

[Bullcitybmmer]

Originally Posted by Needbmwpartzz

You can get a whole new car for that much:.....run and run far away from the stealer trying to do their thang.

I was going to suggest a whole donor car from a scrap yard..... but you're right, at this point you can get a decent 335i for $15k.

OP- This is where you just need to find a good indy shop that you can trust. Or at least trust more than the dealership who is clearly trying to see how little you care about your bank account.

[Needbmwpartzz]

Originally Posted by Adieu

No.

Manual mode and DS cutting out is wiring damage where the harness plugs into the shifter

Pull off the shifter knob then pull on the trim piece and boot to pull it off and expose the wires. Look for damage.

I would start here Op.
This is very common on these cars.

[Street of Rage]

I came across this Youtube DIY. It may help you. My LED indicators are going in and out as the shifter juggles around. I probably will tackle this later as well.

[Jerain]

Walk away from that dealer and go to a BMW specialist. 15k is BS

[Mannix]

I inspected the wires some time ago. Didn't see any obvious damage.

I'm taking it to Markert in GA next week. Those guys have been good to me so far.

[Supra2k6]

Originally Posted by Mannix

I inspected the wires some time ago. Didn't see any obvious damage.

I'm taking it to Markert in GA next week. Those guys have been good to me so far.

There is no obvious tears on the wires grab a multimeter and check for continuity from end to end very simple.

You already spent some $ replacing a module why not try this cheap diagnosis just to rule it out. Rule of thumb try the cheapest solution first and go from there.

[Adieu]

Originally Posted by Mannix

I inspected the wires some time ago. Didn't see any obvious damage.

I'm taking it to Markert in GA next week. Those guys have been good to me so far.

Pull the connectors, test every wire pin to pin for continuity

[MTK24]

15k for replacing a few wires. they have lost their minds

[Mannix]

Originally Posted by Supra2k6

There is no obvious tears on the wires grab a multimeter and check for continuity from end to end very simple.

You already spent some $ replacing a module why not try this cheap diagnosis just to rule it out. Rule of thumb try the cheapest solution first and go from there.

They didn't replace the module. They re-coded it.

Me:

What gets me is I told them exactly what needed to be done:

Car is overheating and the fan is making a funny noise. Replace the fan.

Manual mode doesn
t work. Replace the module.

Them:

Fan is fine. You need the thermostat replaced.

Module needs re-coded.

Work performed:

Thermostat was replaced.
Module was re-coded.

Results:

Fan is making a funny noise and the car is overheating.
Manual mode doesn't work.

[Mikaeldarer]

Assuming you don't have paddle shifters? When manual mode stopped working from shifter I was still able to use paddles. Had to dig a little deeper than just removing shift boot and trim. Ended up being a hidden split wire under a plastic cover on right side of shifter assembly. You have to remove some torx screws to access harness underneath. You can see in pic how wire harness runs under plastic piece and that is where issue occurs. Just fix the split and reroute harness so it doesn't happen again

[Mannix]

Markert found the problem: broken wires.

I checked and didn't see any. Because when I checked, I needed to unwrap the wires that were wrapped with black tape.

They said they could fix it, but there was a 90% chance it would come apart again. They suggested I buy a new shifter for $1000 (installed).

I asked: "Won't a new shifter have the exact same issue?"

They answered: "Yes, but we'll reroute the wires to avoid the issue."

I didn't bring this up with them, but I thought, "Couldn't the wires on the existing shifter be reconnected and rerouted?"

[IllSic_Design]

Originally Posted by Mannix

Markert found the problem: broken wires.

I checked and didn't see any. Because when I checked, I needed to unwrap the wires that were wrapped with black tape.

They said they could fix it, but there was a 90% chance it would come apart again. They suggested I buy a new shifter for $1000 (installed).

I asked: "Won't a new shifter have the exact same issue?"

They answered: "Yes, but we'll reroute the wires to avoid the issue."

I didn't bring this up with them, but I thought, "Couldn't the wires on the existing shifter be reconnected and rerouted?"

Not to say I told you so but, I/we all said you needed to unwrap the loom/tape and look at them, the harness wasn't just going to be cut in half...

If there is enough wire on the one end then yes you can just resolder and/or extend them.

[Maniac0908]

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

15k sounds like a whole new transmission and a happy ending every Friday for the next 4 years.

If it includes a happy ending I'd take the deal

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by Mannix

Markert found the problem: broken wires.

I checked and didn't see any. Because when I checked, I needed to unwrap the wires that were wrapped with black tape.

They said they could fix it, but there was a 90% chance it would come apart again. They suggested I buy a new shifter for $1000 (installed).

I asked: "Won't a new shifter have the exact same issue?"

They answered: "Yes, but we'll reroute the wires to avoid the issue."

I didn't bring this up with them, but I thought, "Couldn't the wires on the existing shifter be reconnected and rerouted?"

Wires are wires. Just re-route them and patch them yourself. Go to the nearest auto store, get some wires of the same thickness (gauge), wire strippers (with crimp tool), butt connectors and patch the wires yourself or you could solder and shrink wrap.

This dealer is just trying to take your money.