auto transmission jamming in high gear on bmw 525 1991?

try ur automatic transmission fluid it may need topping up

Hi there.

I had a BMW 325i auto and it was having problems with the gearbox and would go into "emergency mode" which did not allow me to leave 1st or 2nd gear.

I stripped the base plate and replaced the transmission oil and the oil filter. Usually people don't realise about the filter and just change the oil. changing that usually cures the problem if it is an old vehicle. However in my case this did not and I had to also change the solenoids (of which there are three) which was a horrendous job and very messy it solved the problem but was a nightmare to perform. I would suggest to take it to an auto box specialist who could probably do it quicker and with less hassle.

Hope it helps

I had same problem on mine (1991 bmw 525) several years ago when the car was around 180K miles. Took it to my usual repair garage... they tried their best to fix it replacing several solenoids. Problem would come back, sometimes when driving it back from garage !

Then I took it to dealer who said they checked it all out but did not know how to fix it after several days, they said all they found was a miswired cable ! I was not charged but since they fixed the miswired cable I have not had the problem again for the past 3 years, I now have 225K miles.

get the filter changed and new oil put into the box first then try it , need to remove gearbox sump - 10mm bolts and torqx bolts on filter , (square thing bolted inside box) not a difficult job or expensive should take a decent garage about 1 hr.

Move the lever toward the 'D' sign. Then try the 'R' sign. If this doesn't work, then you will need to exchange the entire gearing system. Why don't you go to your local BMW dealer. They should have a maintenancee department in there somewhere!

there are electronic switches within the gearbox. when these go a^se over the gearbox drops into a get-you-home mode. they are relatively inexpensive, but the cost to strip your box, missus, and rebuild it makes it not worth doing.

Like the other guy said, get a second hand box, but consider selling yours back to him, or even weigh it in for scrap to offset your costs

had the same problem on my 525 was cheaper to get a second hand gear box than mess with it, try ebay or partsfinder, i got a good box for £200 delivered.

Tranny is sensing low pressure. Be it sensors or wiring or a dirty filter and is entering safe mode.

There is no simple answer, only more questions. Use the kiss method of trouble shooting and keep it simple stupid. Start simple and cheap and work your way up until the cost of parts becomes more than simple.

sounds like a bad connection to the transmission ecu, have you had the car at a bmw dealer to scan the code?

Get it into a transmission repair shop or dealer service department quickly. Your transmission could be badly damaged if you don't.

ck the linkage and all cables, rods and replace any bushings on the outside of the trans, also ck shifter for same. pull pan ck for metal