This occurs every time I accelerate to pass another car or accelerate on the freeway. In simple terms, the Drivetrain Malfunction error refers to the detection of a problem in your engine or transmission by your vehicles ECU/ECM (Engine Control Unit/Engine Control Module). It is also good to inform the technician about the recent oil change, as this information may be relevant to diagnosing and repairing the drivetrain malfunction.Ignoring the drivetrain malfunction message or continuing to drive with a malfunctioning drivetrain could result in costly repairs and potentially unsafe driving conditions. Read more. Building on the success of the Nissan Leaf Forum started in 2009, the My Electric Car Forums group of websites aims to be your premier destination for EV forums, community, and information. The ignition coil is a crucial component that sends the necessary power for the spark plugs to work. Ensure to swap the coils in that particular cylinder with another to see if the problem persists. Most likely, your issue will be due to one of the issues below. Additionally, fuel economy can suffer. The drivetrain malfunctioned while trying to pass on the highway. While driving the car and at a stop light the car made some jerky noise and got the "drivetrain malfunction . After five to ten minutes of resting, restart the engine. You will see an inconsistent supply of fuel, leading to power loss and random surging. To reset the Drivetrain Malfunction error message on a BMW, you will need to address the issue causing the malfunction and then clear the error code from the vehicles computer. Hopefully the problem is something trivial such as spark plugs, because replacing or repairing those will probably cost less than $100 or so. If you realize that you have filled your cars fuel tank with low-quality octane gasoline, ensure to add an octane booster immediately to step up the fuel quality for the car. Sleeve Mechatronic. I immediately drove to and dropped the car at the dealer. To fix a drivetrain malfunction on a BMW, it is necessary to diagnose the specific issue causing the malfunction. Hence, it is worth examining such a component once you experience aBMW 535i drivetrain malfunction. Categories: The issue is usually dealt with by connecting an OBD-II scanning tool and getting the error codes to guide a professional technician to what needs repairing. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your BMW. Always after service. During this time, do not keep any lights, cooling fan, or radio on. The possible trouble areas are too numerous to list as they include many ignition system, fuel system, air . Team Regular changing of oils and fluids is also necessary to reduce friction and improve efficiency. In the following video, we show you how to use the YOUCANIC full system scanner to find out why a BMW is showing a Drivetrain Malfunction error. Swap the ignition coils for cylinder one and cylinder 2. I think it might be part number #13627812741? The future's here, and it's shaping up to be a wild ride! When the drivetrain light illuminates on the dashboard, it is a sign that the cars computerized system has detected a problem in the cars transaxle or automatic transmission. This guide will learn more about this problem and diagnose it using a BMW scanner. Find more information in our list of all car dashboard symbols. Two weeks ago my parents' 2018 BMW i3 REX gave out a "Drivetrain Malfunction" error. link to Will Brake Fluid Remove Paint? Here are some steps that a mechanic may take to diagnose and repair a drivetrain malfunction on a BMW: Following the manufacturers recommendations and guidelines is important when repairing a drivetrain malfunction on a BMW. The BMW drivetrain malfunction message should be taken seriously because there are so many different things that can cause this error message to appear. Select the appropriate vehicle model and specs in your scanner. So, it would be best to replace everything. Regenerative Braking Vs. Coasting: Which is Better? It includes the transmission, driveshaft, and differential. Many can be scanned by a technician and dealt with with minimum fuss and minimum labor. Rxmechanic.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Once it encounters a problem, the link between the two important parts breaks. ], Code 82 Chevy Spark and Sonic - Meaning, Causes, and Reset, How Much Does Paintless Dent Repair Cost? . ! When the drivetrain malfunction message appears, it indicates that there is a problem with an engine or transmission component. The part itself can be as much as $1,913. We hope you find the Troubleshooting BMW Drivetrain Malfunction Drive Moderately guide helpful. The accumulation of dirt and debris can put too much strain on the moving components. Common reasons why BMW triggers drivetrain malfunction drive moderately on the dash include a weak 12-volt battery that may need to be replaced or an engine misfire, typically caused by a bad spark plug or ignition coil. I wish you luck in your complaint, thats really frustrating. Generic OBD2 scanners wont help much, as they cant read manufacturer fault codes. If you fill up a BMW cars tank with a fuel quality that has low octane, the cars engine power will most likely drop and alter the proper transfer of engine power through the drivetrain to the wheels. Do not keep the engine running if it overheats or the oil light is on. Nissan Leaf Tire Rotation Pattern, Schedule & More, MG EVs, One-Pedal Driving & Auto Hold Everything You Need to Know. Replacing some and leaving others behind may still hinder the proper functioning of the cars engine. Copyright 2023 Mechanic Base. If you restart the engine and the transmission has already switched to limp mode, you can carefully drive the car to a repair shop or home, but keep in mind that the maximum speed will be limited to 40 mph. Jiffy Lube Vs. Valvoline Oil Change: Differences & Which Is Better? The error message appeared immediately upon startup, and NOT when trying to shift to Drive, so I didn't suspect the Park actuator was at fault. Return to BMW i3 Rex Specific Discussions. Perform a visual inspection of the drivetrain components for any visible signs of damage or wear. Clean the codes with an OBD-II scanner. Why Does it Emerge? The exact wording of the statement can vary between models. If you're seeing a drivetrain malfunction warning message on your BMW, don't worry! Rough idling is also common. 2016-2022 YOUCANIC, a Bohotina LLC Company. Yikes! Do not start the engine. Test the transmission, driveshaft, and differentials to see if they function properly. This will, in many cases, clear the error and allow you to drive the car again. As the name suggests, brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid typically used in a hydraulic braking system to supply pressure to the car wheels. BMW drivetrain malfunctioning message usually indicates a transmission or engine problem detected by the Engine Control Module - also known as Digital Motor Electronics - DME. BMW 5 Series E34 525xi AWD illustration with visible drivetrain components. The cost to fix a drivetrain malfunction on a BMW will depend on the specific issue causing the malfunction and the extent of the repairs needed. Ive only owned BMWs since 1991 but will trade this lemon in this year for something else. Turn off the ignition and remove the key. A failed ignition coil can cause engine misfireand BMW error message drivetrain malfunction on iDrive. In that case, stopping the vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible is important so as not to continue driving. It can cause the engine to misfire or sputter. I am out of warranty. We recently created this blog site to enable us to share our knowledge with other automotive mechanics and car owners. Other causes along this line include; mass airflow sensor, blown head gasket, or defective turbo. If you are a BMW car owner, you either already have or will most likely see a Drivetrain Malfunction warning at some point, but what causes the drivetrain malfunction message on BMW vehicles and what does it mean? Not confident driving this car. You wouldnt normally replace the ignition coils at regular intervals. If you are asking, What causes drivetrain malfunction in BMW? Sometimes, it can be due to one or more of the causes working hand-in-hand, outlined below: When one or more of a BMW cars injectors are faulty or damaged, it automatically affects the engine and reduces the power and performance. A BMW drivetrain malfunction is a problem with one or more elements of the drivetrain system, which is responsible for transferring power from an engine to the wheels of a vehicle. Step 5: Check for any coolant or oil leak and defective serpentine belt. The best solution is to replace the differential fluid regularly, depending on the manufacturers recommendations, to prevent this problem. Unfortunately, its a fairly wide spectrum that makes it hard to pin it automatically down to one particular problem. Drivetrain malfunction, car shut off. Then when ti was 9 months out of warranty it came on again and stayed on, i took it to the dealer and after having the car a day looking for the problem they called me and said it was a heat exchanger of some sort and the cost was estimated at $2800 to replace it. I drove the vehicle yesterday morning, no issues. When you change the spark plugs, replace all of them simultaneously. Engine Malfunction: The gasoline engine in the Range Extender model has been known to malfunction, resulting in the car losing power or shutting down completely. So, it is vital to subscribe to a careful driving style, as well as regular maintenance for your car and all its components. Also called a universal joint, this is the driveshafts flexible point, which will let the shaft pivot as you encounter rough spots. Why Does it Emerge? What is this error? You can do so by restarting the engine. The specificBMW drivetrain malfunction repair cost depends on many things, such as the model of your vehicle, location, and the mechanic doing the job. Read on to learn more about BMW Drivetrain Malfunction, including its causes and solutions. A BMW uses different fluids to ensure its peak performance. The drivetrain is a collective term that refers to the different parts that allow the movement of the wheels after transferring power from the engine. Troubleshooting, Warning Lights. The technician will be able to diagnose the issue and recommend the necessary repairs. If the Drivetrain Malfunction error occurs, there could be a problem with the fuel getting to the engine. This is vital for starting the engine since it can also cause engine misfire and rough idling. Make sure your scan tool is compatible with your BMW vehicle before proceeding. DMCA At the same time, when the dipstick shows that it is low, it is a sign that it is leaking, and hence, you will need a refill. I wonder if the drivetrain malfunction has different meanings. Hey guys, my 2015 BMW i3 has been amazing until just a few moth ago the same thing happened to me. In old BMWs that display the Drivetrain Malfunction message, one of the most common causes is an aging spark plug. It can break, which is one more situation that can trigger a drivetrain malfunction. To prevent damage, the engine control unit limits the maximum torque output. Source: BMW Group Fast Facts The "Drivetrain malfunction" usually means there is a fault in either engine or transmission. Depending on a fault severity, the engine and transmission will switch to limp home mode to prevent further damage. Restart the engine when the BMW Drivetrain Malfunction error message comes up. Get the BMW serviced as soon as possible. More importantly, its use is federally mandated, so you must follow the rules or get in trouble. 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