* No-Reverse Solution For GM Transmission *

Read through this post. I started having reverse issues where it will barely move when giving it gas. So if I understand this right since I have a 02 330 vert (9/01 build) so I should have the ZF trans. Which means I would have the shredded drum problem. Is this correct? What options do I have for repair?

I'm too sleepy to search now but it's here. Someone has done the reverse drum replacement and replaced the clutch packs while he was at it too. I think it was a father and son team if I'm not mixing up DIYs in my head this late. If you find it, he had links to the parts for the rebuild.

Regardless of what the transmission chart says verify it physically. You could get lucky and could have gotten the GM. In which case it's just a solenoid.

Good luck.

Neil check ur pm.

Does anyone know how to remove the bellhousing from the transmission?

Sent from my PC36100 using Bimmer App

flash, you should order three M3 six speed transmissions and install them in that farm of E46s you have over there. use the autos as boat anchors

great info thanks

Recently my reverse went out and I took it to a shop I've used for several years and explained the problem and showed this forum with discussion of how the GM transmission could be fixed by replacing the solenoid, so he agreeded to try. He drained, cleaned and replaced solenoid but that didn't solve the problem.
Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks

Originally Posted by OldmanBimmer

Recently my reverse went out and I took it to a shop I've used for several years and explained the problem and showed this forum with discussion of how the GM transmission could be fixed by replacing the solenoid, so he agreeded to try. He drained, cleaned and replaced solenoid but that didn't solve the problem.
Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks

Yes I have a suggestion. And, no, the solenoid does not solve the problem. It is total misinformation. Ask me how I know. What solves the problem is the new valve body. See the link in my previous posts in this thread.

Thanks for that link. I must have missed it first time round

I have read through all pages of this posts and still do not see a solution to my problem.
Here is what I have: 2000 323i intermittent reverse.

What I have tried:
2010
drained and flushed fluid with filter replacement
drained and flushed fluid with solenoid replacement
drained and flushed fluid with solenoid, valve body, and filter replacement

2011
nothing. (dealt with intermittent reverse)

2012
drained and flushed fluid with filter replacement (found fluid was severly burnt after 20k from last fluid change and 143k on the transmission itself)
took to transmission shop and had them do a full rebuild
took back to shop with same reverse problem. they changed the valve body and solenoid again
Have been dealing with the reverse problem after the rebuild for almost a month now. It will not engage reverse at least 4-5 times a week no matter how I drive it.

My Penelope has left a message with her red lipstick on my rear view mirror stating .... " welcome to the wonderful world of NO REVERSE " .... Man this is depressing ..... But I still love her

Just like to chime in here and say that I also have no-reverse on occasion. I tried the screen replacement to no avail and after doing some reading, I have found that it is a common issue where the piston in the valve body wears its cylinder walls too much allowing fluid to escape.

Think I will just swap the tranny instead.

Very interesting, especially after my friend spent an hour on the phone singing the praises of BMWs and talking me into buying mine! But in his defense, he's owned his 2001 325i since he ordered it custom, and has over 200k on it with zero issues!! He'd NEVER heard of the "No Reverse" issue, despite being an avid reader of a bimmer Magazine. Anyway, I returned the "as is" car and the mechanic graciously gave me back my $$. Funny thing: since then I spent a long time searching for another bimmer. I decided on a 530i in MINT condition, with 80k on it. I research the car. I learned that the "No Reverse" was limited to the 3 series, mostly from 199-2000, with a few 2001s. BUT I learned that the 5 series has had a different issue, the "Oil Press" issue, involving either the sensor or another component of the oil pressure situation. AAAGH! Feeling good about the car, I purchased it TODAY, despite my wife's serious reservation now. Seriously, on the way home from my purchase, at the very first traffic light, my oil light started flickering. DOLT! A minute later, "BEEP!" and then the caption "OIL PRESS>>>STOP IMMEDIATELY. Talk about my heart sinking. BUT HEY, THE REVERSE WORKS!!! Now I have to review the Oil Press issue. Ugh! Why do we bother with the bummers?? I truly is a love-hate relationship.

Is there a gasket on the top of the valve body? Do you have to take the valve body off to replace the solenoid?

Had to buy a $200 rebuild kit to get the paper gasket, to replace the solenoid the valve body had to be dropped to get the new one installed

Originally Posted by jrcarter_2000

Is there a gasket on the top of the valve body? Do you have to take the valve body off to replace the solenoid?

Had to buy a $200 rebuild kit to get the paper gasket, to replace the solenoid the valve body had to be dropped to get the new one installed

I didn't remove my valve body, I did loosen and drop it 1/4" for clearance. Realoem shows part 24161423608 - Set plug between the valve body and case. Do you think your problem was a failure of this part?

Mine has had no problems 1 year/10k mile after replacing just the solenoid

Ok, so after 2 and a half months with no reverse my 2000 328CI and suddenly she decided to back up again. For three days it worked perfectly, then nothing. I can't seem to find a local BMW mechanic who knows anything about the problem. The guy who has been working on it for me did the solenoid, but wasn't really interested in doing the valve body. I took it to a local transmission guy who I trust, but he is only interested in replacing the entire unit for something like $5000. Since the reverse works intermittently, then that means all the gears are still in tact. Right? I really want to keep driving her, everything else on the car is in very good condition and this is the worst problem I've had, I just don't want to spend that much on car since she already has over 244,000 miles on her. What to do? What to do?

there is a paper gasket on top of the valve body, had to drop more than an inch to get the old solenoid out and new one in. So far after about 2 months, going to jinx it I know, I have had the car not go into reverse once since changing the solenoid, filter and fluid.

Just had the solenoid changed and after the second day of driving, the same issue, no revers once. Any thoughts? Is it possible to rebuild more of it yourself?

It would be nice if this author of this article mention where to buy the TCC Solenoid and such...

guess a replacement throttle body is next

2 year update after replacing the TCC selenoid and replacing the trans fluid with Redline D4:

No reverse has popped its head 5 times in 2 years, seemingly farther apart each time. Reverse works 99/100 times roughly now. It was close to 90/100 before the replacement.

So it was worth it, but was not a cure all.

FYI.