[Luc227]

Hi everyone,

I recently bought a 2009 325i with the GM automatic transmission.

It was shuddering under light load (but shifting smoothly) so I changed the transmission oil/filtre.

I also reset the adaptations which I now regret doing.

The car now shifts terrible and jerks/bangs everytime from 2-3 gear.

All the gears feel slow and are delayed.

I tried to reset it again and follow some sort of relearn procedure driving, however after 4 weeks it's still terrible.

I also rechecked the fluid level.

I'm lost on what to do other than pay the cars worth for a transmission replacement.

Surely this is some sort of software timing issue?

Anyone have the same issue?

[lordnikon]

The seals and/or check balls probably need replacing. The parts themselves are not expensive. It's just the labour if you're paying someone to do it.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2063707

Try that before a full rebuild.

[gbalthrop]

Originally Posted by Luc227

... I recently bought a 2009 325i with the GM automatic transmission. It was shuddering under light load (but shifting smoothly) so I changed the transmission oil/filtre. I also reset the adaptations which I now regret doing. The car now shifts terrible and jerks/bangs everytime from 2-3 gear. All the gears feel slow and are delayed... I also rechecked the fluid level...

1) Are you SURE your 325i has GM6 & NOT ZF? 325i in US use ZF, AFAIK. Different Fluid, filter & Adaptation procedure. If you attach photo of Trans Sump Pan, Filler & Drain Plugs we'll know. May also be Fluid Spec Label on bottom of Pan, & AT ID on Left of Trans Housing, above pan.

2) If you have a Scan Tool / Diagnostic Software that can read fault codes (or better yet, display Live Data), please provide:
a) Make/Model of Scan Tool/ Software (INPA/ISTA);
b) ALL Fault Codes read from EGS Module Memory.
c) WHAT Scan Tool/ Software used to "Reset Adaptations" & WHAT screen/ mode?
d) What Road Procedure, if any, used?

3) Any warning lights appearing on Instrument Cluster?

4) CC-ID Codes (Check Control Procedure per Owner's Manual)?
George

[Luc227]

Thanks both for the replies, I'm really hoping it wasn't a mechanical issue and seems caused by the reset.

So my model is an Australian variant, the pan is metal and definitely GM (unfortunately). I've used Valvoline maxlife, as recommend by some forum members.

I have used inpa to read the codes, and the only transmission fault I got was a bad fluid code, prior to changing it. I believe it was 578E?

No warning lights or errors for check control.

Tool32 was used to reset the adaptation, I believe there were three reset adaptation options for the transmission that I have clicked.

I've now downloaded ISTA on a new laptop. Shot in the dark, perhaps resetting adaptations via ISTA may work?

Also I've tried to employ a TSB procedure I've found on these forums- accelerating through gears and coming to a coasted stop.

My next step may also be to update the software, hoping again it is not a mechanical issue.

[gbalthrop]

Originally Posted by Luc227

... definitely GM... I have used inpa to read the codes, and the only transmission fault I got was a bad fluid code, prior to changing it...578E. No warning lights or errors for check control. Tool32 was used to reset the adaptation, I believe there were three reset adaptation options for the transmission that I have clicked. [See Below]
I've now downloaded ISTA on a new laptop. Shot in the dark, perhaps resetting adaptations via ISTA may work?...

Since you have NO EGS Fault Codes (except perhaps "History" Faults), other than 578E Fluid Wear (ISTA can "Reset Timer" on that to remove code, but INPA CANNOT), I would do TWO things:
(1) Use INPA > EGS (GS1912) > F5 Status (Live Data), &/or ISTA Diagnosis Scan to View EGS Parameters, and
(2) Use INPA to Reset Learning Functions, "Lernfunktionen Zurücksetzen".

I have NOT used Tool 32, but have used INPA > EGS (GS1912) > F6 Activations > F2 Reset Learn Functions, per the ScreenPrint attached to NEXT Post. Live Data ScreenPrints are also attached.

Be aware that you can view "HistorySpeicher" or a Historical Record of EGS Faults: INPA > EGS (GS1912) > F4 Error Memory > F5 Read Historienspeicher. Last 10 Prior Faults, up to 3 instances of each, are recorded. Viewing that "History Memory" screen may provide clues on any current performance issues.

Do NOT Clear Historienspeicher, but SAVE a screenprint of it for future reference. There is History Memory in ALL PowerTrain Modules. The Historical Record REMAINS after Fault Memory (Fehlerspeicher) is CLEARED, as long as you do NOT Clear/ Delete/ Löschen the History Memory.

Please let us know what you find,
George

[gbalthrop]

Attached are INPA & ISTA ScreenPrints related to Prior Post. I have NOT used ISTA functions, other than Fluid Wear Timer
Reset. So Please share your experience with any ISTA Function.
George

[Grease23]

How did you determine "full" after dropping the pan and how did you recheck the level? Even very experienced non-BMW mechanics can get this wrong. The dealer that sold me mine certainly did, leaving it more than 2 quarts low.

[e90yyc]

+1 on NOT resetting adaptations.

I did this on my ailing GM6 and it made things worse. Attempts to relearn adaptations were fruitless too… Apparently there’s a procedure you can run (using a scan tool), but I was unable to find this procedure anywhere. Not on a very expensive SnapOn scanner (at a friend’s shop) nor in INPA, ISTA, or Tool32. Maybe it’s in there somewhere; I don’t know…

Long story short, I agree. Don’t do it unless you’ve replaced clutch packs or other hard parts. In my case, I had installed most of a Zip Kit on the VB, but did not replace the PR valve (as it requires access to the bellhousing, which means dropping the trans). I thought this justified resetting things, but it did not.

See PDF for the procedure I was attempting (but ultimately failed) to run.

[Luc227]

Thanks for the replies again, never expected help to this degree.

I did check the level of fluid 2 further times out of paranoia, however a third time again using ISTA to monitor temperatures instead of a temperature gun may be needed to give me peace of mind .

So I had a play with INPA as suggested by George (thanks for the screenshots-very helpful). Lernfunktionen Zurücksetzen seemed to yield no changes unfortunately.

I then clicked on “Steuergerat Reset” (reset control module) in INPA.

At the same time I opened ISTA and clicked “reset adaptions without torque converter lock up.” I'm unsure if it actually executed this command as nothing popped up to confirm .

Either of these definitely changed the shift timing. It was different to the adaptation reset from Tool32, as it was initially a lot less harsher to drive.

However after driving an hour or two the shifts still are pretty much the same with 2-3 gear jerking into gear every time.


As for the history of faults, My car has done 156 000 km so far, I have:

0x578E Transmission Fluid deteriorated at 153 376
0xCF1C Lost communication with DME at 153 376
0x581A Dynamic Stability Control error : CAN Left Front Wheel Speed at 128 624


I know the wheel sensor may play issues with the Transmission, however this fault was a while ago. I believe the CF1C may be a possible lead, however i'm not sure what exactly may be interrupting communication.

Also that Fast relearn is interesting considering it doesn't say what software to use it with. I guess there's a general lack of information for these Gm transmissions.

[Luc227]

Yea so just an update,

The jerking and banging shift points are back with a vengeance, the car is very irritating to drive and I'd rather drive a Nissan Tiida at this point.

It's a shame as I've been fixing the car up.

I have never heard of come across a transmission to die from a simple adaptation reset + no error codes, however I sure have one.

I guess BMW should have thought twice before outsourcing a general motors product.

Last two things I will do out of desperation is replace the wheel speed sensor due to a historic code and update the software.

If these work I'll update the post, however I'f they fail the car will be gone. Word of warning to those with the GA6l45 sludge box

[Bims328i]

There are some post around this forum that advise to NEVER reset trans adaptations.

I saw the option while using my scanner but never looked into it as fluid change and a
tube of Lube Gard instant shudder fixx remedied the issue for about 20k miles.

Need to do another fluid change.

[autoAER]

Do you have any codes? I had an E93 that would shudder under acceleration but shifted smoothly as well - several Indy mechanics claimed it would need a transmission replacement - ended up being a bad crankshaft position sensor. Definitely look for other issues BEFORE paying $$$$ for a new transmission

[Luc227]

Just an update, since I hate reading threads with no update.

The things I've tried :
Flashed the transmission with the latest software
Rebuilt valve body with new seals/pressure switches
Another fluid change with filter.
Multiple resets of the values.

None of these have worked.

Last ditch effort I used Lucas oil transmission fix.
This actually stopped the 2-3 jolt ... For around 200km before it came back along with other rough shifts.

My car now has vanos intake and exhaust error codes along with camshaft inlet error codes that don't trigger the check engine light. (Presumably unrelated)

Overall the transmission has failed at 156,000km. The car now feels sluggish and drinks fuel.

I made a big mistake believing the E90 platform was mildly reliable or serviceable. I will sell the car at a loss... Thanks for the replies and time

[Bims328i]

Holy smokes.... Did you already sell it? Anyone know if this was actually due to resetting adaptations or perhaps just a transmission that was run hard? Best regards.

[lordnikon]

Sorry to hear that.

[kale91]

Resetting adaptations is fine.... UNLESS.... and its a big if your box is already damaged and the fluid contains tiny particles of debris that are effectively keeping the viscosity high enough for the box to remain operational. The adaption will have been compensating as much as possible to keep your car running by reducing pressure applied at various points. changing the fluid and reseting the adaptions takes you back to factory which leads to the undesirable symptoms. This is what I was told by a tech a while ago.

[EwenMac]

2007 e92 323i with GM auto 225,000 km, never missed a beat, just recently did a drain and refill, 4 litres of dextron Vl all running beautifully.

Maybe GM trans are rubbish, but there’s a hell of a lot of car running happily with them

Trouble with modern computerised cars you never know what your getting, especially when second hand cars

[M-technik-3]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money...ving%20forward.

GM gl80e trans lawsuit. Version of ours.

[fastboatster]

Originally Posted by M-technik-3

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money...ving%20forward.

GM gl80e trans lawsuit. Version of ours.

All I can see in this link is CP4 hpfp lawsuit, am I missing something?

[mainbearing]

My INPA did not work getting to GS1912 reset, lucky I guess, but I did do a general reset that required me to step on the gas pedal for the first Key-On/Engine-Off cycle.

I did the Sonnax Zip Kit and later pressure switches. The pressure switch discs are quite fragile and problematic. And I had clunky shifts 1-2, 2-3 and 3-4 before the rebuild.


Here are my notes:
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showp...6&postcount=12

Your 2009 should shift much better than the 1st year (2007) junk. But in case you want to try the Zip Kit:
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1494501

You did use a new filter seal did you? make sure it is correctly installed and that there is no air leak past that seal (the ATF coming out the check hole does not have air bubbles). A ZF style seal would have been better than the rubber-clad metal sleeve GM used, after all the 6L45 is supposed to be a cheapened copy of the 6HP. There really is no place for a GM transmission in a BMW.

When I replaced the valve body seals preventatively on our Audi 6HP19, I did the reset and the transmission shifted a little clunky for several miles. It smoothed out fairly quickly and is still running great like it is brand new today with more than 2x the miles of the E90. So maybe the problem was more than the reset.

[Luc227]

I went home to the UK for a while so I haven't managed to sell it yet as it's been sitting in the garage. I've come back refreshed so may tackle this issue again.
The pressure switches were replaced and didn't do anything unfortunately. The seal was sitting correctly.

Deduction suggests that the solenoids for the effected gears may be faulty. Unlike the ZF transmission, you can't swap the solenoids out individually (thanks Gm).

The prices of valve bodies for this old transmission are extortionate, at least in Australia they are.

I've seen a used ga6l45r for a 320i locally for cheap. If the 320i version is the same, I can easily pick this up and exchange the valve body.

Does anyone know of they are compatible?

Then, if this doesn't work, I could swap the entire transmission.

Whatever the underlying issue is, it was definitely triggered by the reset.

[e90yyc]

It’s wild to me that it seems impossible to do this Fast Learn Adapts procedure… I tried and failed, and nothing I did (even having a friend with a shop and feature laden Snap-on scanner try) was successful.

Does anyone know for sure whether such a procedure exists?

If I was you OP, I’d consider the Zip Kit route, but make sure to install the upgraded PR valve. Might be a decent middle ground option if pulling the trans is on the table.

Since it’s software that’s causing this, I feel like there has to be a software fix though… ugh