My tranny is starting to poop.

[latinobimmer]

So, I've got an 87 325i auto. Lately, after I let my gf drive it while I was on vacation (I know, I know.), the tranny has been acting really goofy. In the mornings, when I turn it on and slip it into drive it works fine, until I start going up a slight hill (only when the car is cold) and then it will slip out of 1st and rev up to about 3k and then catch again. This happens almost daily. Then, at my parking lot on base its on a hill, but we park horizontally. Well, when I'm backing out, I'll slip it into drive and give it gas, but the car starts to roll backwards until it hits about 2000rpm, then it'll slip into gear. Another instance, I'll just be driving down the road (or highway) and let off the gas to coast for a stop light or just anything, and it'll slip out of gear into neutral, until I give it gas again and it reaches about 2k, then it catches again.
Now, last night, I was leaving the mall and I put her in drive and gave it some gas and it caught the gear, but the rear end started shaking and rumbling some, then it just stopped and nothing ever happened again. I'm going to check to see if I'm low on tranny fluid in a few minutes, but what else could it be? Is it just time to start looking for a manual to swap in? Thanks guys.

Jaime

[DaN]

Check the fluid first.
Get it up to operating temp, then let it idle for a few minutes, then pull the dipstick wipe it off, restick it and see what you got.
Also take a whiff of the fluid, if it's black or smells burnt then you got a problem.

Sounds like the clutch pack for first is burnt up.

[BS87]

Maybe you'r Gf wasnt exactly kind to it...

[James Crivellone]

Maybe you'r Gf wasnt exactly kind to it...

I beat the absolute crap out of my ZF Auto and I can't kill the damn thing!


mine must be made of titanium or something!

[Super Eta]

Maybe you'r Gf wasnt exactly kind to it...

I beat the absolute crap out of my ZF Auto and I can't kill the damn thing!


mine must be made of titanium or something!

Im sure i could find a way to trash it for good.

Well alright heres the way to do it, Shift into reverse while in drive but make sure the car is in motion.

Just keep on tryin and i am sure eventually it will crap out.

[latinobimmer]

so i checked the fluid, and there doesnt seem to be any in there. how is this possible without the tranny burning itself up on the road? it was up to temp, and i let it idle for like 5 minutes, and i dipped it 3 times and it came up dry each time. any suggestions? other than put some in, obviously

[DaN]

lol, put some in, say half a quart at a time, don't over fill it!
You probably have a leak somewhere, don't drive it anymore without filling it.

[bmwguru007]

Sounds kinda like what happened to my gf's old Jeep. She took it in to get the ATF changed and they forgot to refill it. She drove it for a couple days until she stopped to fuel up and it wouldn't move. Her uncle filled it up and she drove it for another 20k before she sold it about 2 years ago. I would guess that you still have a some ATF in your car. Add fluid, test drive and check for leaks. It might be ok, otherwise, time to get a 5 speed.

[latinobimmer]

Yep, thats what it was. I was really low on fluid. I changed it out, and did the filter while I was in there. Drives as good as new now, thanks yall.