Transmission not shifting properly when cold

ROBERT W THOMPSON

MEMBER
2010 BMW 328
3.8L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

The car wont begin to move when it's cold.
It occasionally has a transmission fault light. After it has warmed up it seems fine, no slipping and goes into gear fine. When it's cold it just jumps back into park. I am pretty sure the transmission has never been serviced. Could this be low on fluid? Cold this be dirty fluid or a dirty filter? Any help (answers are greatly appreciated). Thanks, Wayne

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,709 POSTS

Hi,

Yes, it could be low fluid. When ATF heats up, it expands, so low fluid could be an issue. Here are the directions for checking and filling the fluid level. Note: The transmission service is due at 100K miles. If you never did it, let me know.

________________________________

2010 BMW 328i Sedan (E90) L6-3.0L (N51)
Checking/Topping up Oil Level in Automatic Transmission (GA6L45R) [REP-REP-RAE9224-0011237 - V.4]
Vehicle Maintenance Fluids Fluid - A/T Service and Repair Procedures Checking/Topping up Oil Level in Automatic Transmission (GA6L45R) [REP-REP-RAE9224-0011237 - V.4]
CHECKING/TOPPING UP OIL LEVEL IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (GA6L45R) [REP-REP-RAE9224-0011237 - V.4]
Repair instruction
Checking/topping up oil level in automatic transmission (GA6L45R)
00 11 237 | REP-REP-RAE9224-0011237 - V.4

00 11 237 Checking/topping up oil level in automatic transmission (GA6L45R)

Important!
Use only the approved transmission oil.

Failure to comply with this requirement will result in serious damage to the automatic transmission!

Remove exhaust bracket (1).
See pic 1

Topping up transmission oil after a repair:
See pic 2

Stand vehicle on a level surface and secure against rolling off.

Undo oil filler plug (1).

Installation note:
Replace the sealing ring.

Top up automatic transmission fluid until it emerges from oil filler opening.

Start engine.

Top up automatic transmission fluid until it emerges from oil filler opening.

Screw in oil filler plug (1).

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If the fluid is clean and full, then I recommend having the can bus system scanned for diagnostic trouble codes. CAN stands for controller area network. This is how all the modules/computers are tied together.

Here is a video showing how it's done.

https://youtu.be/InIlnsjOVFA

__________________________________

First, confirm the fluid is clean and full. If it is, have the scan done and let me know what codes are found.

Take care,
Joe

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