Transmission warning light on a manual?

Kittepunch · 11-04-2012, 11:51 PM

2003 325xi manual here.

This warning light showed up a bout a month ago, and I'm not too sure why.

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/8...703transmi.jpg

The car doesn't feel any different, my transmission is smooth, my clutch doesn't slip, nothing feels off. I checked the owner's manual and it only mentions this light showing up on the automatic transmission - nothing about manual. My CEL is also on, but I believe that's because of my missing ambient temp sensor (I read that somewhere else).

Note that despite my transmission not feeling a little off, I do sometimes smell a "hot" smell if I push the car a little harder than usual (quick acceleration, high top speed, etc).

Any insight is much appreciated - sorry if wrong forum.

Edit: Not my picture. The only warning lights present on the dash are the gear symbol and the CEL. Also, the car has 175000 km's on it.

330i ZHP · 11-04-2012, 11:58 PM

WTH - that doesnt seem possible

get us the codes

the computer doesnt monitor the manual transmission at all

Kittepunch · 11-05-2012, 12:05 AM

I don't have an OBD yet, unfortunately...

jasonbimmer · 11-05-2012, 10:40 AM

either it had a replacement cluster or your car was converted to a manual.
factory manual does not have that screen in the cluster.

Kittepunch · 11-05-2012, 12:27 PM

So generally speaking, I shouldn't be worried? It may be a replacement cluster, because the car was marked as salvage by a previous owner on the Carfax.

///MPR77 · 11-05-2012, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kittepunch

So generally speaking, I shouldn't be worried? It may be a replacement cluster, because the car was marked as salvage by a previous owner on the Carfax.

Is there a little dot on the cluster by the trip meter?
It's called a tamper dot, which indicates it's been changed.

If not probably a manual swap.

Has the light been on since you've had the car?

Kittepunch · 11-05-2012, 04:09 PM

Yeah, the tamper dot is there. Here's my dash (still not used to the speedo in mph, haha):

http://i.imgur.com/zT4JK.jpg

The car was marked as salvaged/rebuilt at around the 3rd owner on the Carfax. Could it be that the dash was replaced due to an accident, or should I be really worried about this? Carfax mileage checks out.

e46alfonso · 11-05-2012, 04:26 PM

Do you own that car or are thinking about buying it? I hope you didn't spend your hard earned money on that piece of crap.

Kittepunch · 11-05-2012, 04:32 PM

Yeah, I bought it for 7k a few months ago. It was sorta of a learners/project car. I have plans to make it beautiful again.

///MPR77 · 11-05-2012, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kittepunch

Yeah, I bought it for 7k a few months ago. It was sorta of a learners/project car. I have plans to make it beautiful again.

Now to find out how many miles are on your car.
Take it to a dealer, and have them scan your key.

11-04-2012, 11:51 PM	#1
Kittepunch Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 35 My Ride: 2003 325xi View My Garage	Transmission warning light on a manual? 2003 325xi manual here. This warning light showed up a bout a month ago, and I'm not too sure why. http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/8...703transmi.jpg The car doesn't feel any different, my transmission is smooth, my clutch doesn't slip, nothing feels off. I checked the owner's manual and it only mentions this light showing up on the automatic transmission - nothing about manual. My CEL is also on, but I believe that's because of my missing ambient temp sensor (I read that somewhere else). Note that despite my transmission not feeling a little off, I do sometimes smell a "hot" smell if I push the car a little harder than usual (quick acceleration, high top speed, etc). Any insight is much appreciated - sorry if wrong forum. Edit: Not my picture. The only warning lights present on the dash are the gear symbol and the CEL. Also, the car has 175000 km's on it. Last edited by Kittepunch; 11-04-2012 at 11:52 PM.

11-04-2012, 11:58 PM	#2
330i ZHP Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 20,532 My Ride: have 5 doors and FI View My Garage	WTH - that doesnt seem possible get us the codes the computer doesnt monitor the manual transmission at all __________________ /_________\ OO=[][]=OO

11-05-2012, 10:40 AM	#4
jasonbimmer Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 5,612 My Ride: 2001 BMW 330xi View My Garage	either it had a replacement cluster or your car was converted to a manual. factory manual does not have that screen in the cluster. __________________ 2009 Mazda RX-8 R3 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser 2008 YAMAHA YZF-R6 Last edited by jasonbimmer; 11-05-2012 at 10:40 AM.

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11-05-2012, 12:05 AM	#3
Kittepunch Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 35 My Ride: 2003 325xi View My Garage	I don't have an OBD yet, unfortunately...

11-05-2012, 12:27 PM	#5
Kittepunch Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 35 My Ride: 2003 325xi View My Garage	So generally speaking, I shouldn't be worried? It may be a replacement cluster, because the car was marked as salvage by a previous owner on the Carfax.

11-05-2012, 04:09 PM	#7
Kittepunch Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 35 My Ride: 2003 325xi View My Garage	Yeah, the tamper dot is there. Here's my dash (still not used to the speedo in mph, haha): http://i.imgur.com/zT4JK.jpg The car was marked as salvaged/rebuilt at around the 3rd owner on the Carfax. Could it be that the dash was replaced due to an accident, or should I be really worried about this? Carfax mileage checks out.

11-05-2012, 04:26 PM	#8
e46alfonso Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Mass. Posts: 340 My Ride: AW 330xi manuel View My Garage	Do you own that car or are thinking about buying it? I hope you didn't spend your hard earned money on that piece of crap.

11-05-2012, 04:32 PM	#9
Kittepunch Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 35 My Ride: 2003 325xi View My Garage	Yeah, I bought it for 7k a few months ago. It was sorta of a learners/project car. I have plans to make it beautiful again.