So i was driving and my battery light came one, noticed at FIRST it would go off after 2000rpms then on when it was lower and so on, then my FAIL SAFE TRANS PROGRAM came on and kicked the car into 4th or 5th gear i guess and stayed that way. also the battery stayed on no matter what RPM now. ANY ONE know what to do?? my last bimmer a 1992 325i. had the trans program kick in b4 but i dont remember how i fixed it. NEED HELP!!!! thanks guys!!
The trans message you got can be set for many different reasons. Anything from low fluid ,faulty temp sensor, the electrical position switch and connector on the side of the transmission, A faulty trans control module, and voltage issues (low battery or alternator) to name a few. When the message occurs, it can keep the trans in one gear. If I was to shoot from the hip I'd say do the easiest thing first and disconnect the battery for a while and reconnect. With it disconnected obtain a volt meter and check the batery voltage. It should be roughly 12VDC. Once hooked back up, if you still have the problem, in park, start the car and turn every thing you can on, i.e. A/C, blower fan, Hi beams etc. and check the battery voltage. It should read no lower than 11.8 VDC. The norm should be about 13VDC. If lower, the alternator is weak and causing your problems. If this isn't it, then unfortunately you might have to go to the dealer and get the codes read.
One thing I forgot. Also check the belt. Is it slipping or has it been replaced lately? Maybe you can head in that direction first.
i did have the belts replaced. they seem to be on just fine to me. i checked the battery the other day it was at 12. but when i turned the car on, the voltemeter did not move at all. same thing when i put everything on. i thinnk its the alternator. But does that mean that could also be the reason for the Trans program slipping into gear earlier??
It's possible that when the voltage drops below a predetermined level that it can come on. I've heard of people leaving there cars for three to four weeks with out driving them and when they start up they get the same message. After a drive or two they never see it again. I checkked both of my E34's and the E39 and with everything on and the engine running the voltage is 13.38 volts. If you don't have the equipment to test the alternator, find a local dependable shop to test the alternator in the car. You want to hit this one dead on since alternators can be quite expensive (approx $207).
yeah at first it came on, then went away for a couple days, now its back. i guess i will get the alternator tested and go from there, thanks.
