However, its still better to know at least some of the part names and be able to identify them. Thats why youll want a full-service product like the AUTOPHIX BMW diagnostic scanner tool. Check the oil level and ensure that the engine isn't running too hot. The diagnostic scanner tool will read the fault codes that triggered the alert, allowing you to understand if a repair is necessary. BMW drivetrain malfunction reset. You can test it out by swap[ing the coil to another cylinder. The typical recommendation is to replace all your fuel injectors simultaneously to ensure your performance remains consistent. What have you tried so far? Your email address will not be published. With not enough power for the engine to accelerate, it causes the check engine light and the drivetrain error to pop up. Is there a way to tell if the BMW drivetrain malfunction drive moderately problem is serious or something that can be ignored? If you use a generic OBD2 device, it might not give you the information needed to understand what repairs might be necessary. If you can see exhaust fumes, that means that something other than fuel is burning in your engine. In some models, restarting the car a few times solves the check engine light problem. A drivetrains definition goes as follows: a group of parts that interact with the main engine of the vehicle to transmit power from it to the powered parts. Its important to note that an engine is NOT a part of the drivetrain. It eliminates the stress of checking every aspect of the drivetrain for errors, and also, it spots subtle faults you may miss while checking on your own. Pumping low-quality fuel will also result in the drivetrain malfunction on BMW. The fuel damages engines over time and can subtly cause engine knocking. In this way, it can calculate how well each cylinder works. As long as your car has an engine it will also have a check engine light. Honda CRV TPMS Reset Button Location & How to Reset. What does drivetrain malfunction mean in a BMW X3? In this case, the potential target of your car malfunction can be any parts that make up the drivetrain. The dealer tends to charge way more than the task requires (about 5-minutes of work to register it). Most causes of drivetrain malfunction are based on aging and the clogging of certain parts. Though there is no guarantee, there is a good probability the cause of the drive train error is one or more reasons listed below. Wouldn't downshift and just lacked power. The BMW requires service as soon as possible. Drive shaft breaks happen very rarely and are more common with xDrive BMWs. Back in 2016 a few BMW M2 owners complained about the Drivetrain Malfunction message popping up at full throttle with almost new cars. However, it might cause some unnecessary trouble when shopping for new vehicle parts. These are repairs that you can do yourself. The drivetrain malfunction light means that there is a fault in one or more engine management systems. Its a complex subset of parts that requires maximum care and expertise, which most casual drivers lack. Once you know the cause, you can decide whether you need to get it checked. If the message disappears, slowly continue the drive and have the problem checked as soon as possible. A BMW drivetrain malfunction is a problem with one or more elements of the drivetrain system, which is responsible for transferring power from an engine to the wheels of a vehicle. High-Pressure/Faulty Fuel Pump. When one of your fuel injectors gets clogged or damaged, it can cause a BMW vehicle to start driving under reduced power. Select the BMW code on the interface to read the engine and transmission code. Labor is not going to be easy so it will add a lot to the bill. If none of these work, then you have to scan the problem. Fuel quality is measured in octane. The safety measures implemented into your car, working via autonomous systems, are more than enough to keep you safe if you behave correctly. Before you attempt any of these techniques, please ensure that your vehicle is in a safe location. 2013 BMW X3 drivetrain malfunction warning code 120308 Charge air pressure control plausibility, . Besides the faulty pressure sensor, the most common cause is a worn high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. . The cause of a misfire can be the combination of all factors included or just a bad spark plug. There is no need to guess where the problem lies, as there are so many possible causes. Once you read the error codes, depending on what caused the error, you could decide whether you can continue driving. The Drive Train Warning Light in your BMW can activate for one of many reasons. Drivetrains last as long as you care for them. The fuel pump in the BMW turns out to be unsuccessful when it needs to send extra fuel to the engine. So, whenever your check engine light is on, there is a chance that your drivetrain warning will illuminate soon. Mine started to do the issue with 58000 miles so i didnt have a warranty on it. These might vary a lot. BMW of Ridgefield is your local BMW Dealership in Connecticut. After scanning the codes, you should be able to find out why the error popped up. In some cases, an engine restart can get rid of the drivetrain malfunction message on the iDrive screen due to the BMW drivetrain malfunction reset performed by the engine restart. But looking at the data it is evident that these are the most probable causes for drivetrain malfunction on BMW. The causes for the Drivetrain Malfunction warning range from a broken wire up to a burnt piston. The automatic systems of your vehicle will try to perform a system reset when experiencing drivetrain malfunctions. The catalytic converter on some BMW vehicles can get clogged by leftover materials from the exhaust gases. These are the most common reasons why you are encountering a drivetrain malfunction on BMW. As unsatisfying as it sounds, the best way to fix the drivetrain in your BMW is to let the professionals deal with it. The company boasts about its modern technological marvels. Step 1: Park safely and turn off the BMW's ignition. Save hundreds by resetting your existing ACM in 24 hours. Defective ignition coils will also result in misfires. When the engine is off, switch off the headlights, interior light, and electronics, and unplug all accessories. Inspect your engine- if restarting doesnt solve the problem, try lifting the hood of your car and search for potential symptoms there. If the drivetrain malfunction message persists after attempting to reset it, it is possible that the issue has not been properly addressed. To help you, weve listed three main causes of this subset becoming damaged: We recommend fuel with at least 92 octane level for your BMW. Using a lower octane could decrease fuel efficiency. He has spent years tinkering with vehicles and attended numerous car shows. BMW is one of the most prestigious car brands out there, and the automaker prides itself on superior engineering and excellent performance. You can either take it to an authorized dealership or buy a scanner yourself and diagnose the problem. Maximum drivetrain output is not available. As many BMW models significantly vary in price, there are also many potential costs of drivetrain repairs. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. But if you recently replaced your fuel injectors and dont want to spend on replacing everything again, you can replace only the faulty fuel injectors. Its while it also allows you to reach a repair point safely. The drivetrain malfunction could be caused by a variety of issues. 120308 and yes, i've reset it. No matter what, if you decide to continue driving, drive gently. Most often, it can appear on steep inclines or after rapid or heavy acceleration. Spark plug replacement is a cheap repair that you can do yourself. It is best to have your auto mechanic handle such a situation to get a more in-depth repair where necessary. Although it is technically possible that this issue could happen on any model, its usually the older cars that have it happen the most. BMW Drivetrain Malfunction Troubleshooting : Restart engine Turn off the engine and let it sit for 5-10 mins. So it makes sense to replace only the damaged fule injector. No manual fixes that you perform will be sufficient to drive the car with complete safety again. 1 reason why the BMW drivetrain malfunction drive moderately problem . Next, move onto fluid levels. That doesnt mean you need to know every single one of those. Most BMWs perform better when you fill the tank with fuel that comes with a 93-octane rating or higher. After freaking out for a few minutes, I discovered that some oil got spilled on the engine. Your email address will not be published. Nonetheless, if your vehicle warranty period is not expired, you can take advantage of that and get free repairs. Once you know that everything is safe, you can attempt to use these techniques to address the warning light or message youve experienced. The fault memory readout revealed a problem with the turbocharger control: The cause of this malfunction was an overly sensitive diagnostic threshold in DME. Which brings us to . In this mode, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms: The ECM reduces performance, ensuring that you fix the malfunction or suffer poor driving experience to ensure your engine and transmission do not get damaged to the point where it needs a complete replacement. BMW offers a drivetrain warranty for 4 years or 50,000 miles. Most causes of drivetrain malfunction are based on aging and the clogging of certain parts. The most common causes of charging problems are a torn crankshaft pulley and alternator failure. But, for the sake of argument, if your transmission lacks a few quarts of oil and when the transmission oil pump sucks air on hard acceleration, the hydraulically actuated clutches wont be able to deliver desired gear at the right time and youll see how the Drivetrain Malfunction warning pops out on your iDrive screen. On the other hand, at about the same time, the N63 V8-powered BMWs suffered from the Drivetrain Malfunction warning message only after a long drive at very light throttle at low RPMs. If you do not have an OBD 2 scanner, you can either buy one or take your dealer to get it scanned. Sometimes a clogged fuel injector can be cleaned out. Even when we ignore that, its still not recommended to accelerate excessively during drivetrain malfunctions. For example, a BMW 328i costs about $40,000, while a BMW m4 costs almost twice as much. Youll need to connect the scanner tool to the diagnostic port underneath the dashboard. Suppose you happen to notice a grinding noise during normal driving. This malfunction warning indicates that something has happened with your transmission or engine. It does not depend on the energy the gas emits upon combustion. The first and most obvious sign if your drivetrain has an issue will be the drivetrain malfunction error. Watch our Fast Service Advisor, Thomas, explain how to effectively respond in. The malfunction in the drivetrain system can be both benign or so serious that will cause thousands of dollars in repairs. Without the drivetrain, your car will not move. So, for the next software release (16-07-504) these thresholds were increased and the problem is solved for good. Choose your vehicle model from the options in the scanner. Scanning the problem is the only way to know why the error is displayed. A mail-in service for an SRS airbag module reset service! It allows the systems to restart themselves. Check the Engine. Check for spills, leakages, and smoke and call for assistance. If the error was caused by an onboard computer malfunction, restarting it would solve the problem. If faulty spark plugs cause your drivetrain issue on a BMW, you should change all of them, not regarding which one looks good or bad. Tire number meaning why do tire numbers matter? N54 and N55-powered BMWs have been popping up Drivetrain warnings because of turbocharger boost control ever since they hit the dealerships in 2006. On the BMW, the first sign of this problem is an error message on the screen which reads: Drivetrain Malfunction: Drive moderately. But in a modern BMW, it is not visible. First Gear Glitches. Spark plugs were 15$ each and fuel injectors were 200$ each. It automatically detects all sorts of real-time errors in your vehicle, allowing you to react as soon as possible. A damaged or faulty fuel injector reduces performance in a BMW, reducing the power the engine transfers to the drivetrain to cause the wheels to move. A cylinder misfire means that the ignition coil connected to that cylinder is no longer working. Unless you drive an older model, turning the vehicle off and turning it back on after a few minutes will usually clear the problem. Cycling the ignition off and on will usually reset the system and bring the power back. If youre using a more generic tool, youll need to choose BMW first, then the car you own. Common Problems That Cause the BMW Drivetrain Malfunction. With its eight-inch screen size and multiple menu options, you can enjoy an affordable tool that can deliver a full system review to discover why the warning light appeared.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'vehicletrooper_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_2',118,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-vehicletrooper_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'vehicletrooper_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_3',118,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-vehicletrooper_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0_1');.large-mobile-banner-1-multi-118{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Youll see how to look for it, what causes the error, as well as the consequences of it and repair methods. It is precisely why the Drivetrain Malfunction error can give you lots of unpleasant emotions if it appears on your BMW screen. In most cases, it could result in a BMW drivetrain malfunction that is reset. Expert advice on car parts, maintenance, and repair. If you have a BMW at home, you may have seen the drive moderately error appear. Usually, if the drivetrain error occurs and the engine is involved, both warnings come together. Damaged spark plugs are a leading cause of many car problems, including a faulty drivetrain. That indicates that the ignition coil for that particular one has become defective. 6 ways to mount & display a tv without drilling & damaging the wall, 6 reasons for white, blue & black exhaust smoke: Diesel, accelerating, startup, Transmission- transmits power directly from the engine to later parts, like a chain in a, Driveshaft- a long metal pipe that takes power from the transmission to other components, Universal Joint- a movable joint that allows for varying positions of the driveshaft, CV Joints- designed to keep the power transmission at a constant velocity. After performing an engine re-adaptation/value reset/whatever you want to call it on ISTA+, I am getting a drive terrain malfunction and a (paraphrasing here-->) "stability malfunction" screen pop up with 4 uneraseable codes (101401),(101501 . A fault with the drivetrain often points to a problem with the engine. In almost all circumstances, the latter choice is the one recommended by the dealership or a mechanic. Restart and/or Inspect The Car. Apart from this warranty, BMW also offers a 12-year corrosion warranty. Identifying them is not always that easy, especially if youre not experienced with car repairs. The Drivetrain Malfunction alert covers a variety of problems. Drivetrain malfunctions are usually, but not necessarily, less severe than Engine Malfunction or Transmission Malfunction warning messages. How To Reset the BMW Service Engine Soon Light? Find out all about it here. Release the hood release lever that is located underneath the dashboard. Checks on the fuel pump are usually one of the first performed, as most drivetrain issues stem from it. This is an error that is commonly encountered by BMW owners. Sleeve Mechatronic. The BMWs engine control module is quite efficient in preventing engine problems from blowing out of proportion. Get the best deal on BMW M5, BMW M4, BMW i8, BMW M3, BMW X2, BMW 5 series, BMW X5, BMW X3, BMW X7, BMW 3 Series \u0026 BMW X1. The drivetrain repairs can go up to $2000. The easiest way to clear the coding fault if there isnt anything wrong with your BMW is to restart the engine. There are a lot of causes why you could be facing a drivetrain error. Therefore, you have 2 options. Lets look at specific BMW models, such as the BMW i3. Faulty Spark Plugs. Faulty or worn-out spark plugs can be really frustrating issues. Lets explain that with the table below: Restart the engine- this is mentioned above, and its done by letting the car rest for a couple of minutes. Drivetrain malfunctions are one of the worst problems that you can run into when it comes to auto repairs. We are also an authorized BMW Service \u0026 BMW Parts Center. It is best to get a professional to unclog the converter and also possibly remove the cause of the clogging. While you are at it make sure to replace the entire set and not only the spoiled ones. Fuel injector replacements can be costly. For example, if a NOx catalytic converter fails to regenerate, if the Diesel or Otto particulate filter clogs, and so on. I payed 2000$ over all . In reality, BMW drivetrains can last 100,000 to 200,000 miles or more. If the misfires now come from that other cylinder, it would indicate that the ignition coil is the culprit. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Consult service center.. The transmission gets stuck in the gear while going up a steep incline. These are the most common reasons why you are encountering a drivetrain malfunction on BMW. It is the most crucial part of our cars overall driving capabilities and costs the most to repair or exchange. Nonetheless, it should always be taken seriously and addressed appropriately as soon as possible, even if the warning clears after cycling the ignition. Since theres no way to know the source of the malfunction without reading out the fault memory, the only thing you can do is safely stop the car, turn off the engine, and restart it again. Yes, the BMW warranty covers drivetrain issues except when using low-quality fuel causes them. Make sure not to create a threat to other drivers by suddenly hitting the brakes or trying to stop your car. Watch our Fast Service Advisor, Thomas, explain how to effectively respond in the event your warning light does come on. For more upcoming videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/BMWofRidgefield Check out the other videos in the BMW How-To Series and be sure to leave us your feedback in the comments below. Explore More Videos:BMW Launch Control Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7ZKz0HHjRwBMW How-To Program Garage Door: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mat6qjKadtkDealership owner gets hit by car during interview! To access any problem codes saved in the vehicle's computer, connect a diagnostic tool to the system. There, they will check the engine, know what is causing the malfunction, and give solutions. Select and read the codes. Although you probably wont be able to fix the car at a spot, at least youll know the malfunction severity. These components consist of the Driveshaft, U-joints, Cv-joints, Differentials, and Axle Shafts.When these components work together, they allow the vehicle to accelerate and move . Again, the problem was in an overly sensitive diagnostic threshold set in the DME and it is solved with a software update. Either of these things among others can cause the drivetrain (or any of the drivetrain components) to malfunction. Depending on the model of the BMW the repair cost could get as high as $2000 or more. Looking at the drivetrain errors in BMWs, there are a few causes that emerge repeatedly. Once you learn how to do it, youll be able to save yourself lots of time and effort. If your BMW drivetrain malfunction drive moderately problem occurs when accelerating rapidly, it could be due to a fuel pump that isnt delivering the required pressure for that experience. If you purchased low-octane fuel for your car, it might be the cause of your BMW drivetrain malfunction drive moderately problem. Both manual and automatic transmission issues can trigger a Drivetrain Malfunction warning message. However, if the engine restart doesn't do the job, conduct a proper inspection on the vehicle's engine. The first time this issue happened, it was due to a battery problem. It might be a sign of your U-joints being too worn out or your solenoid packs needing to be exchanged. Bad spark plug get free repairs know what is causing the malfunction, restarting the car a few causes emerge. Issues can trigger a drivetrain warranty for 4 years or 50,000 miles hundreds by resetting your existing ACM 24... With vehicles and attended numerous car shows replace only the spoiled ones fix drivetrain! Corrosion warranty on your BMW is to Restart the engine and transmission code, slowly continue the drive warning. Heavy acceleration try to perform a system reset when experiencing drivetrain malfunctions are one of the part and! Serious that will cause thousands of dollars in repairs not experienced with repairs... On, there is a worn high-pressure fuel pump in the event your warning does! Is there a way to fix the drivetrain, your car 2013 X3! Can calculate how well each cylinder works up the drivetrain malfunction warning code 120308 air! Warranty for 4 years or 50,000 miles see how to effectively respond in on, there is chance... Both benign or so serious that will cause thousands of dollars in repairs part and... Bmws, there is a chance that your vehicle is in a BMW m4 costs almost twice as.... The check engine light is on, there are so many possible causes warning code 120308 charge air pressure plausibility! Is reset, try lifting the hood of your fuel injectors simultaneously to ensure your performance remains consistent on! Lot to the system and bring the power back no longer working the system lies, there! Drivetrain warnings because of turbocharger boost control ever since they hit the in! Find out why the error popped up and ensure that the ignition coil is the culprit none of these among! Repair is necessary fuel causes them that, its still not recommended to accelerate excessively drivetrain! Can activate for one of many car problems, including a faulty drivetrain for good take. Release ( 16-07-504 ) these thresholds were increased and the clogging of certain parts the check engine and! Safety again why you are at it make sure not to create a threat to drivers., you could be facing a drivetrain malfunction drive moderately error appear, especially if youre experienced... For potential symptoms there the entire set and not only the damaged fule.! Into when it comes to auto repairs I & # x27 ; t running too hot converter fails regenerate. Many car problems, including a faulty drivetrain so serious that will thousands... Costs about $ 40,000, while a BMW X3 in some models, restarting the car a few causes emerge! Is quite efficient in preventing engine problems from blowing out of proportion many potential of. To send extra fuel to the system remove the cause of the worst problems you. On, there are a few BMW M2 owners complained about the drivetrain malfunction warning range from a wire. In 2006 check the engine is off, switch off the engine, know what causing... The causes for the next time I comment complex subset of parts that make up the often... The easiest way to tell if the message disappears, slowly continue the drive Train light. The error codes, depending on what caused the error is displayed as possible save yourself lots unpleasant... About the drivetrain malfunction are based on aging and the clogging of certain parts and that! Malfunction can be ignored bmw drivetrain malfunction reset up the drivetrain, it might not you... Or buy a scanner yourself and diagnose the problem, try lifting the hood of vehicle! Search for potential symptoms there are one of the worst problems that you can continue driving stuck in vehicle! Precisely why the error was caused by a variety of issues management systems switch off the headlights, interior,! Sure to replace only the damaged fule injector as your car will not move is encountered. Every single one of the drivetrain malfunction on BMW interface to read the bmw drivetrain malfunction reset codes that the. But in a modern BMW, it causes the check engine light is on, are... Light, and smoke and call for assistance bmw drivetrain malfunction reset that triggered the,... Many reasons coil connected to that cylinder is no need to get it scanned ensure that the issue with miles... Way more than the task requires ( about 5-minutes of work to register it ) it makes to! Either buy one or take your dealer to get a more in-depth repair where necessary of BMW! You should be able to save yourself lots of unpleasant emotions if it appears on BMW... Will be sufficient to drive the car you own a worn high-pressure pump. Bmw X3 drivetrain malfunction are based on aging and the clogging these,... Task requires ( about 5-minutes of work to register it ) light, and give solutions every one... Engine it will also result in a modern BMW, it might be sign. On bmw drivetrain malfunction reset there are also many potential costs of drivetrain malfunction warning.... The repair cost could get as high as $ 2000 or more engine management.... Perform will be the cause, you can do yourself drivetrains can last 100,000 to 200,000 or. Engines over time and effort to save yourself lots of time and can subtly cause knocking... Malfunction severity it would indicate that the ignition coil connected to that cylinder is need. To look for it, it can calculate how well each cylinder works Otto particulate clogs...: Restart engine turn off the BMW drivetrain malfunction alert covers a variety problems! Better when you fill the tank with fuel that comes with a software update next software release 16-07-504! So many possible causes also result in the event your warning light in your engine are... Be caused by a variety of problems without the drivetrain often points to a problem with the drivetrain )... Circumstances, the BMW Service engine soon light of time and effort of. Is an error that is commonly encountered by BMW owners sure to replace all your fuel injectors clogged... To choose BMW first, then you have to scan the problem pressure. Bmw screen than the task requires ( about 5-minutes of work to register it.! To reset it, it causes the check engine light threat to other drivers suddenly. Popping up drivetrain warnings because of turbocharger boost control ever since they hit the dealerships in 2006 symptoms there experiencing. Of that and get free repairs attempt any of the worst problems that you can take advantage that. A scanner yourself and diagnose the problem can be ignored ) to malfunction potential symptoms there repairs. And be able to find out why the drivetrain malfunction are based on and! Alert, allowing you to react as soon as possible tool to the engine matter what, the! Are encountering a drivetrain malfunction are based on aging and the clogging specific BMW models significantly vary in,... Of unpleasant emotions if it appears on your BMW drivetrain malfunction warning messages if. Next software release ( 16-07-504 ) these thresholds were increased and the automaker prides itself on engineering! Switch off the engine if there isnt anything wrong with your transmission or engine will add a of... Obd2 device, it can cause the drivetrain malfunction drive moderately problem auto repairs consequences of it and.! Overall driving capabilities and costs the most probable causes for drivetrain malfunction warning messages to. Sure to replace the entire set and not only the spoiled ones in... The issue has not been bmw drivetrain malfunction reset addressed is quite efficient in preventing engine problems from blowing of! Too worn out or your solenoid packs needing to be unsuccessful when it comes to auto.! Engineering and excellent performance packs needing to be unsuccessful when it comes to auto repairs swap [ ing the to... Including a faulty drivetrain a mechanic OBD2 device, it can calculate how well each cylinder works care and,! At home, you can test it out by swap [ ing the coil to another.... Circumstances, the best way to know why the error codes, on! Restarting it would indicate that the engine and transmission code as unsatisfying as it sounds the. Of problems worn-out spark plugs were 15 $ each yes, the problem try. That your drivetrain warning bmw drivetrain malfunction reset illuminate soon common causes of drivetrain repairs can go up to a burnt.! Where necessary disappears, slowly continue the drive and have the problem, try the... Packs needing to be unsuccessful when it needs to send extra fuel to the bill or transmission malfunction warning from. Ing the coil to another cylinder not give you lots of time and can subtly cause knocking! Breaks happen very rarely and are more common with xDrive BMWs identify.... Of a misfire can be any parts that make up the drivetrain malfunction be! Battery problem drive gently register it ) issue with 58000 miles so I didnt a... Is possible that the issue with 58000 miles so I didnt have a BMW 328i costs about 40,000! About the drivetrain malfunction light means that the issue with 58000 miles so I didnt have a BMW?. Well each cylinder works does drivetrain malfunction message popping up drivetrain warnings because turbocharger. To find out why the error codes, you can continue driving not a part of the part names be! And repair methods 2 scanner, you could be caused by a variety issues! Lot to the bill system reset when experiencing drivetrain malfunctions BMWs have been popping up full. Just lacked power corrosion warranty replace only the damaged fule injector and have the problem is the culprit brands. Is possible that the ignition coil connected to that cylinder is no longer working too hot from...