Automagic shakes at stoplight

[lateracer]

So, my new (to me) DD is an 89 325ic. The problem I'm having is that the car shakes when I'm in gear and stopped at a light or stop sign. I haven't change the trans fluid/filter yet, but will soon. If that doesn't fix it, is there something else I can focus on or do I just have to live with this?

I've only been driving it for a few days, and I think it was sitting for a few years b/c it was running really rough and was pretty short on power at first. After a sea foam session and some fluid changes, it's doing a lot better though. A good tune up is in the works, including brakes and redoing the front end.

Something that hasn't gotten any better since the car has been woken up is the transmission though. It clunks a little when you engage a gear, could definitely be a little smoother when it shifts and sometimes seems like it's searching for gears more than it should. I'm guessing the car has around 200K miles (had 122 when the ODO stopped working in 2001). Basically, I've already accepted that sooner or later - probably sooner - it's gonna need a new trans. I'm in for the long haul though (2nd E30), so it's not a huge deal.

[Edev]

I didn't read the whole thing but motor mounts are most likely shot.

[whodwho]

If it is rough running it will only be exasperated when put in gear, concentrate on the getting it running properly before suspecting tranny issues. But do make sure it is at the proper level on the stick checked after driven when hot and level ground.

***very important note*** - avoid r3vving in park or neutral after having been in gear unless you shut the car off first and restarted or you can/will burn up the tranny.

[lateracer]

I was really hoping someone would say motor and/or trans mounts. There's a little bit of "flexing" in the gear selector when I give it a lot of gas. Need to do that job on both of my cars.

What's with the no revving thing? I heard that from the guy I bought the car from as well (which is probably a good thing). Any idea why that is?

[whodwho]

There is an inherent weakness in the design of the trans that if the seal rings or stator bore is worn it can allow pressure to the front clutch pack when it should be fully released after it has been in gear and when you r3v it can burn it up.

Symptom: you loose all forward gears and reverse still works.

[browntown]

There is an inherent weakness in the design of the trans that if the seal rings or stator bore is worn it can allow pressure to the front clutch pack when it should be fully released after it has been in gear and when you r3v it can burn it up.

Symptom: you loose all forward gears and reverse still works.

Is that why my shitty leaky automatic takes full on brakes to keep stopped at a light?

[whodwho]

It's not an issue when in gear but you can notice it will want to creep when in neutral when it has this issue.

There is a quick test, after it is warmed up is to jack up the rear put it in gear then in neutral and rev a bit and see if the rear wheels want to turn and how much it takes to stop them turning.