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From digest.v7.n1097 Sun Feb 8 22:29:45 1998
From: "Brett Anderson" <bretta_at_BestWeb.net>
Date: Sun, 8 Feb 1998 18:51:08 -0500
Subject: Re: E34 auto trans BA

>
> From: Mark Doran <CHOICE_Biz_Ops_at_compuserve.com>
> Date: Sun, 8 Feb 1998 00:56:07 -0500
> Subject: E34 auto trans
>
> After having spent some time driving the wife's '94 530ia
> I find the 5 spd automatic behavior odd. At times when
> accelerating from stop it feels as if the car tries to use
> 3rd or 4th gear, and then down shifts very harshly, likewise
> when cruising at 40-50 mph the trans will seem to jump
> or search up, down, and then back up a gear.
>
> Seems to occur after slow going in stop and go traffic,
> or behaving myself and posted speed limits in town
> (ie: easy on the throttle) never occurs when using Sport
> mode or after normal driving (i learnt at driver school it's
> either on the throttle or on the brakes right?).
>
> Is this the magic of the "adaptive" program or a cause for concern?
>
> The trans chip is from Dinan. The trans was serviced (ie: fluid change)
> by the dealer less than 30 days ago. The car comes out of warranty in
> 6 weeks, and is going in next week for a new short block.
>
> Mark D
> '94 Dinan530i stage III
> '93 Dinan850ci stage III++

The transmission program is designed to lock out first gear in stop and go traffic, to reduce the amount of shifts. If it detects that you are in stop and go traffic, it will lock out first gear and start off in second.

Also , at light throttle it finds it difficult to determine what gear you want, as, after cruising at light throttle, the trans decides any throttle movement may be a request for lower gear. It does not help matters that you and your wife have two totally different driving styles, confusing the system even more.

If it is something you are concerned about, take the car to the dealer and have the exact complaint printed on the repair order. It must be exact, if the service advisor puts it into his own words, have him change it to what YOU want it to say. This way you will be covered beyond the warranty period if it is an actual fault that they are unable to duplicate or repair during this visit.

Brett Anderson

BMW and ASE Master Technician

http://www.bestweb.net/~bretta/

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