Hello folks!

When I first bought the car earlier this year. I noticed that 4th would sometimes engage rather late. About a month ago I noticed that this would be more pronounced when it was cold out.About two weeks ago I let my cousin use the car, ( she was careful with it, she doesn't want me mad at her ) ...anyway, the other day she calls up and reminds me how I told her to let it warm up a little and the shifting would not be late. Then she goes on to tell me how the shifting delay seems to have gotten quite a bit worse. I went there tonight to see for myself, and she did not exagerate one bit. 1st and 2nd are just fine...third and fourth is non-existant....I could not get them go engage for nothing. I noted that if I got up to approx. 35 mph, and then let off the accelerator, it did not do the enginebrake like it does when its (placed manually) in first or second. Fluid level is fine. Any ideas what this could be, or has anyone experienced/heard of this before?
Thanks for your time!

-Larry

PS It has about 19x,xxx miles and runs great.

Larry,
First: does it start off in second when you put it in drive?
or does it start in first?
Second: does it shift automatically at all 1 to 2
Third: does it shift 1 to 2 late, and just stay in second?
Forth: does it shift 1-2 and 2 to neutral or nothing?

Check the manual throttle linkage. If this is set to tight or frozen/stuck or the return spring in side the Trans is not returning it, the car will shift late or not at all! Check it by removing the linkage at the Trans and checking return, Also,you may want check the modulator valve to see if it has vacuum. If no vacuum no shift or very late high rpm shift.

This is a start
regards,
Bryan

Hello Bryan!

1.It starts normally in first.

2.It shifts automatically into second.

3.It shifts into second just like it is supposed to, but stays there.
4. It appears to stay in 2nd, and go nowhere from there...almost as if it where in neutral, similar to massive slippage.

I will check any vacuum lines and linkages at my earliest opportunity.

thanks.. -Larry

3rd & 4th ....missing
 

Hello again!
Inspection revealed nothing out of place, as far as linkages are concerned. Any type of vacuum line is also ok.
A mechanic friend of mine (who is more familiar w/BMW's) thinks that it is shot. He did however admit to not knowing much about my trans. and if I could come up with any solutions or idea, he would be interested in hearing them..(as would I!)
So,...if anybody is familiar with this trans. and its problem, don't by shy to post! :D

thanks for your time!
-Larry

Disconnect the wire to the kick down solenoid. It is possible that it is staying electrically kicked down.

If you feel like taking the pan off verify that the control pressure piston pops back out when the linkage is released.

I might like to see the governor pressure but probably I would drop the valve body and apply the individual servos and clutch packs with air to verify that it should work.

Well...several months later, and it was finally taken apart.
The findings? A snap ring of some sort, had broken, causing a planetary gear set to grind inside of a [drum]. This planetary gear could not be removed from the [drum], wich also had a broken tooth in it. Used parts where obtained and installed. The rear of the trans., wich houses a pump, incase you want to push start it, also had a defective gizmo in it( it looked the size of a finger, and had a little roller on it) It was replaced also. Now I have reverse, and two forward speeds ( what I had before it was taken apart ) and apparently 3rd and 4th do not want to stay engaged. Pressure tests where done and everything engages as it apparently should at 15 psi. Now I am being told that the valve body has a problem, and, that they are best left unopened and buried deep in the ground. Is this true?

Oh, btw.... anybody have a spare valve body sitting around?

When considering what I have already spent on parts, and what a used valvebody is going to cost, I would have been better off buying a rebuilt from somewhere in Ca.
And to think that I thought I might have some money left over to give it a halfway decent paintjob afterwards ...Ha!

..thanks for listening....
-Larry