Sluggish Transmission in morning

lajilana · 11-07-2009, 08:42 AM

Greeting Fanatics,
I need your expert advice on the sluggish automatic transmission on a 325i. It is 2003 model. In the morning when i put the car in "D" and step on the gas the car barely moves. It takes a good minute before the transmission starts to transfer power to the wheels.
I have looked at the various threads and some point to low fluid and another unique one was to have the Transmission control unit reprogrammed and yet another one suggested to disconnect the battery to reset the transmission control unit memory.
Now this is a great forum to put this question to again. For those who have experienced this first hand and have solved the problem, please tell me what worked for you.
As always, Thank you in anticipation of your help!
E46-Jaat

lajilana · 11-07-2009, 08:46 AM

This is what I read on one of the bulletin.
"This was actually a pretty common concern on these cars. I would recommend a trip to the dealer- ask them to reprogram your transmission control module and reference bulletin 24-07-03. This should take care of the problem. It is IMPORTANT that they use the numbers referenced in the bulletin. Quite honestly- it wouldn't be a bad idea to get the engine control unit reprogrammed at the same time- there have been a LOT of revisions in the programming on these cars. For labor time- your probably looking at about an hour for the programming at whatever the dealership rate is.

Hope this helps you out!! --Cliff

This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. B24 07 03 dated July 2004.

Read more: http://www.justanswer.com/questions/...#ixzz0WBI0F0Qy

E46-Jaat

330xiKen · 12-09-2009, 02:36 PM

Just to update this thread. I flushed the ATF (new filter) and had the dealer flash the ECU based on this advisory. The flush helped a LITTLE...the software update completed fixed this problem.

Martin 03 325i · 12-09-2009, 03:06 PM

same here i started two of the thread you might of read on here, and i got my reprogrammed first and that didn't work and next i got my 60k tune up in which i changed my tranny fluid, cleaned the magnets and filter. Now my tranny is running with no problems even whe we just had a DRAMATIC change of climate to below freezing temps.. so good luck but that tranny fluid change should do it..

Andrew@FCP · 12-09-2009, 03:49 PM

These cars have way to many computers in them. It is amazing how a little change in the software will make a car run night and day.

11-07-2009, 08:42 AM	#1
lajilana Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 7 My Ride: 325i View My Garage	Sluggish Transmission in morning Greeting Fanatics, I need your expert advice on the sluggish automatic transmission on a 325i. It is 2003 model. In the morning when i put the car in "D" and step on the gas the car barely moves. It takes a good minute before the transmission starts to transfer power to the wheels. I have looked at the various threads and some point to low fluid and another unique one was to have the Transmission control unit reprogrammed and yet another one suggested to disconnect the battery to reset the transmission control unit memory. Now this is a great forum to put this question to again. For those who have experienced this first hand and have solved the problem, please tell me what worked for you. As always, Thank you in anticipation of your help! E46-Jaat

12-09-2009, 03:49 PM	#5
Andrew@FCP FCP Groton Representative Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Old Saybrook, CT Posts: 618 My Ride: 2004 Volvo S60R View My Garage	These cars have way to many computers in them. It is amazing how a little change in the software will make a car run night and day. __________________ FCP Groton Andrew Owendoff Communications Facilitator Old Saybrook, CT +1.877.634.0063 FCP Groton Official Website <- Click! AutoBlock - World Class Media Follow us on Facebook & Twitter!

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11-07-2009, 08:46 AM	#2
lajilana Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 7 My Ride: 325i View My Garage	This is what I read on one of the bulletin. "This was actually a pretty common concern on these cars. I would recommend a trip to the dealer- ask them to reprogram your transmission control module and reference bulletin 24-07-03. This should take care of the problem. It is IMPORTANT that they use the numbers referenced in the bulletin. Quite honestly- it wouldn't be a bad idea to get the engine control unit reprogrammed at the same time- there have been a LOT of revisions in the programming on these cars. For labor time- your probably looking at about an hour for the programming at whatever the dealership rate is. Hope this helps you out!! --Cliff This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. B24 07 03 dated July 2004. Read more: http://www.justanswer.com/questions/...#ixzz0WBI0F0Qy E46-Jaat

12-09-2009, 02:36 PM	#3
330xiKen Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 51 My Ride: 2004 330xi View My Garage	Just to update this thread. I flushed the ATF (new filter) and had the dealer flash the ECU based on this advisory. The flush helped a LITTLE...the software update completed fixed this problem.

12-09-2009, 03:06 PM	#4
Martin 03 325i Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 37 My Ride: 03 325I View My Garage	same here i started two of the thread you might of read on here, and i got my reprogrammed first and that didn't work and next i got my 60k tune up in which i changed my tranny fluid, cleaned the magnets and filter. Now my tranny is running with no problems even whe we just had a DRAMATIC change of climate to below freezing temps.. so good luck but that tranny fluid change should do it..