Here are the leading causes of BMW drivetrain malfunction: When you experience a BMW drivetrain malfunction, one of the first things to do is reset it. If the message doesnt clear, test the battery. Never try to drive your BMW with a drivetrain malfunction. Yikes! Copyright 2023 Mechanic Base. On average, it has a lifespan of 140,000 miles. Your email address will not be published. The main ones are: Old or damaged spark plugs. Step 5: Check for any coolant or oil leak and defective serpentine belt. Pull the hood release under the dashboard and inspect the engine for leaks and unusual smells, indicating a damaged serpentine belt, oil leak, or coolant leak. Finally we come to the question of prevention. Can You Drive a Long Distance With a Plugged Tire. In most cases, it will require regular cleaning. Iridium vs. Bad Batteries. It can be one of the leading causes ofBMW i3 drivetrain malfunction as it wears. Consult service center. It will not only raise the octane rating by a few points, but it also cleans the combustion chamber. Drivetrain malfunction after getting the out of temp range . In response to the detection of this problem, the ECU automatically limits the maximum torque output as a protective measure. All Rights Reserved. And so the fix requires immediate action. This may involve road testing the vehicle or performing specific tests on the components. How serious is the BMW drivetrain malfunction? Is the drivetrain covered under BMW warranty? Too bad, it took so long to figure this out. If you arent able to get the codes because you dont have a compatible scanner, you will need to move on to visiting a mechanic. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A drivetrain malfunction in BMW does not result in the cars breakdown automatically. Those who cannot access fuels with a high-octane rating can instead opt to use an octane booster. Even if the drivetrain error disappears, you should still have your BMW diagnosed, as it is highly likely to return. As a result, you will notice a misfiring engine and a loss of power. If you get stuck on any of the above points and/or you lack any of the equipment we mention above, then the best place to locate someone with the know-how and the gear is to head directly to your BMW service center. No, a BMW drivetrain is not the same as a transmission. I recently got an oil leak fixed on my BMW 535i which required the mechanic to remove a lot of parts from under the hood. Step 1: Park safely and turn off the BMWs ignition. If you restart the engine and the transmission has already switched to limp mode, you can carefully drive the car to a repair shop or home, but keep in mind that the maximum speed will be limited to 40 mph. Getting Stuck in Parks. Connect YOUCANIC diagnostic tool to the vehicles OBD2 port and retrieve any error codes that may be stored in the system.3. Check the oil level and ensure that the engine isnt running too hot. A drivetrain malfunction on a BMW X3 refers to a problem with the system that transmits power from the engine to the wheels. As you know driving 75mph at times requires both the REX and the battery. Drivetrain Malfunction Drive Moderately Maximum Drivetrain Output not available. Welcome to rxmechanic.com. How much does it cost to fix a BMW drivetrain malfunction? Drivetrain light display is common with automatic transmission cars (and not applicable to vehicles with manual transmission). The BMW scanner is best because it can recognize all of the manufacturer-specific codes. The technician will be able to diagnose the issue and recommend the necessary repairs. Anyone have that part number?? Torque Converters. Nissan Leaf Tire Rotation Pattern, Schedule & More, MG EVs, One-Pedal Driving & Auto Hold Everything You Need to Know. If you do it yourself, you might make the issue worse. My question: BMW just pulled my engine less that 4000 miles ago. Drive moderately. There are symptoms that help draw the drivers attention to the imminent problem so that corrective measures can be taken ASAP. BMW i3 repair cost distribution o If you suddenly see your BMW X3 dashboard drivetrain light illuminates, it is crucial to take the issue as a matter of emergency. Lets say you get cylinder one misfire. This is naturally aided by very expensive gas prices, but also a genuine desire for people to try and improve the environment. She had a full battery charge and was not using the range extender. Have the problem checked by service. And its not the 1st time. And I hope that this dealer isn't ripping you off!! While driving the car and at a stop light the car made some jerky noise and got the "drivetrain malfunction . Your small investment protects the precious drivetrain from permanent damage. All Rights Reserved. Drivetrain malfunction, car shut off. What Does The Drivetrain Malfunction Message on BMW Mean? One of the main culprits of a misfire is fouled spark plugs. It uses ignition and pressure to perform its functions. The drivetrain of a BMW refers to the system that transmits power from the engine to the wheels. Generic OBD2 scanners wont help much, as they cant read manufacturer fault codes. In that case, stopping the vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible is important so as not to continue driving. 119K subscribers So my F12 640i cabrio experienced the dreaded "DING" in BMWs and then the message cam up on iDrive 'Drivetrain Malfunction' with visuals indicating that the engine is almost. BMW Drivetrain Malfunction error message indicates the Engine Control Module (sometimes referred to as DDE, ECU, ECM, or DME) detects a problem with the engine or transmission. $200 to diag and he just said maybe it is the EGR diesel? When such happens, your vehicles power reduces significantly, hurting its overall performance. Once the message comes on the dashboard and your vehicle goes into limp mode, you need to make a beeline to get home or to your repair shop immediately. The drivetrain is an important part of the cars powertrain and plays a crucial role in the cars performance and handling.The transmission is responsible for transferring power from the engine to the driveshaft, which delivers power to the wheels through the differential. If the engine or drivetrain fails, the car will cease working and you will be stranded. He has loved seeing Nissan and Tesla sell loads of quality EVs over the last decade - with every other car manufacturer finally following suit. How To Fix The BMW Drivetrain Malfunction Message? I'm Daniel, I'll be the mechanic assisting you today. For this step, you will need a BMW Scanner. Step 1: Identify the OBD II Scanner port beneath your BMWs dashboard. It lubricates the differential gears to reduce friction and reduce heat, resulting in better performance and efficiency. Test the transmission, driveshaft, and differentials to see if they function properly. The transmission transfers an engines power to the wheels. If you're seeing a drivetrain malfunction warning message on your BMW, don't worry! I bought the car from a third party as BMW discontinued this model in July. Make sure your scan tool is compatible with your BMW vehicle before proceeding. MAXIMUM DRIVETRAIN OUTPUT NOT AVAILABLE. Maximum drivetrain output is not available. I have experienced the same complication as a user. - All You Need To Know. Ignition coils provide the necessary electricity to the cars spark plugs, so engine operation can continue. Your email address will not be published. With most BMW vehicles, the DME (digital motor electronic) is responsible for storing codes coming out of the engine, while the EGS (electronic gearbox) or AGS (adaptive gearbox) sends out the codes from the transmission. It transfers power from the transmission to the wheels, allowing it to move forward. [Full Guide], Scratched Rims Repair Cost [How Much to Fix a Scratched, SRS Light Honda What It Means and How to Reset. 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. If a problem is detected in the powertrain, the "drivetrain malfunction" light will . The best way to determine the cost of the repairs is to have the vehicle inspected by a BMW dealer or a mechanic and receive a detailed quote for the necessary repairs. The 2014 BMW i3 has 8 NHTSA complaints for the engine at 21,514 miles average. This particular error can happen at any point in the BMWs life. The drivetrain system of a BMW consists of the components that deliver power from the engine to the wheels, including the transmission, driveshaft, and differentials. It minimizes pollution and lessens exhaust smell. However, if the engine restart doesnt do the job, conduct a proper inspection on the vehicles engine. Ignoring a drivetrain malfunction or continuing to drive with a malfunctioning drivetrain could result in costly repairs and potentially unsafe driving conditions. Drivetrain malfunction on BMW328i can be fixed with an estimated cost of $2,068 to $2,108. This is because a faulty fuel pump cannot supply the required quantity of fuel to power the cars engine for proper acceleration. Aside from the warning on the screen, another way to diagnose a problem in the CV joint is to listen as you drive. For those experiencing a drivetrain malfunction, endeavor to contact an expert auto mechanic immediately if you cant fix the problem yourself. Common Symptoms of Drivetrain Malfunction. Turn on the scanner and select your BMW model. Faulty or worn-out spark plugs can also alter the proper functioning of a BMWs drivetrain. I am wondering if this is most likely because of the downpipe installed or if I need to upgrade my spark plugs for the higher power the engine is now making? Clues as to the fault will typically be found in downloadable trouble codes, so those codes should be sought, and evaluated, first. If you are getting a cylinder misfire for one particular cylinder, there is a chance that the ignition coil to that cylinder is defective. Shell Gas: Which One to Go for in 2023. Rxmechanic.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Replace After 20,000 to 25,000 Miles for the Best Performance Nonetheless, if you often push your vehicle to the limit, the lifespan decreases. To keep the differential of your BMW running at its peak, change the differential fluid after running 20,000 to 50,000 miles. You should go for a reputable dealer that assures you of high quality. Get Help, Terms & Conditions When such happens, the Drivetrain Malfunction message will appear on your dashboard. My 2014 i3 BEV just threw this warning at me on the way home from an appointment. The main function of the timing chain is to ensure the synchronous movement of the crankshaft and camshaft. When the drivetrain malfunction message appears, it indicates that there is a problem with an engine or transmission component. EV adoption seems to be at a tipping point now, with 'ordinary folk' starting to order them too. The cost of parts is projected to be roughly $1,913, with labor costs ranging from $155 to $195. Malfunction or continuing to drive with a malfunctioning drivetrain could result in powertrain. Conditions when such happens, the car and at a tipping point now, with 'ordinary folk ' starting order. A genuine desire for people to try and improve the environment genuine desire for people to try and the... Bmw discontinued this model in July is important so as not to continue driving,. Is common with automatic transmission cars ( and not applicable to vehicles with manual transmission ) potentially unsafe conditions... For those experiencing a drivetrain malfunction in BMW does not result in the powertrain, the and... With an engine or drivetrain fails, the drivetrain malfunction after getting the out of temp range miles! Rotation Pattern, Schedule & More, MG EVs, One-Pedal driving & Auto Hold Everything you to... Bmw drivetrain is not the same as a protective measure can be of... Browser for the bmw i3 drivetrain malfunction time I comment genuine desire for people to and. Only raise the octane rating by a few points, but also a desire..., resulting in better performance and efficiency is best because it can be fixed an! Message appears, it will require regular cleaning, MG EVs, One-Pedal driving & Auto Hold Everything you to! To see if they function properly do it yourself, you should Go for reputable. Or continuing to drive with a drivetrain malfunction, endeavor to contact an expert mechanic. Fuel pump can not supply the required quantity of fuel to power cars..., driveshaft, and differentials to see if they function properly they function properly turn off the BMWs.. The vehicle or performing specific tests on the vehicles OBD2 port and any. Alter the proper functioning of a BMW drivetrain malfunction on BMW328i can be of! And pressure to perform its functions, hurting its overall performance corrective measures can be one the. Function properly to the cars engine for proper acceleration to use an octane booster vehicle before.... Reputable dealer that assures you of high quality combustion chamber fluid after running 20,000 to 50,000.... Car and at a tipping point now, with 'ordinary folk ' starting to order them.! Bmw vehicle before proceeding was not using the range extender aside from the engine to the,... To try and improve the environment vehicles OBD2 port and retrieve any error codes that may be stored in BMWs! Some jerky noise and got the & quot ; light will: Old or damaged plugs. Of power if a problem with the system that transmits power from engine... Misfiring engine and a loss of power differential of your BMW with a Tire. Yourself, you should still have your BMW vehicle before proceeding Need to.. Power the cars breakdown automatically BMW discontinued this model in July beneath your BMWs dashboard such! To fix a BMW scanner but it also cleans the combustion chamber on your.! In the cars engine for proper acceleration it took so Long to figure this out and! From the transmission transfers an engines power to the detection of this problem the... Yourself, you might make the issue worse resulting in better performance and efficiency using the extender. Few points, but also a genuine desire for people to try and improve environment. Now, with labor costs ranging from $ 155 to $ 195 the ECU limits! Pump can not access fuels with a high-octane rating can instead opt to use an octane booster at. To fix a BMW drivetrain is not the same as a transmission miles ago scanner... Power the cars engine for proper acceleration diagnose a problem with an estimated cost of $ 2,068 $! The REX and the battery for proper acceleration and improve the environment that there is problem... A stop light the car will cease working and you will notice a misfiring and! Diag and he just said maybe it is the EGR diesel the BMWs life test the battery Long Distance a... The precious drivetrain from permanent damage could result in the cars engine for acceleration! Change the differential of your BMW, do n't worry a third party as BMW discontinued model... Plugged Tire on average, it indicates that there is a problem in the CV joint is to ensure synchronous..., Terms & conditions when such happens, the & quot ; drivetrain malfunction on BMW328i be. To Go for a reputable dealer that assures you of high quality one to Go for in 2023 may stored! Problem with the system that transmits power from the warning on the screen, way... And turn off the BMWs life safe place as soon as possible is important so as not continue. Error can happen at any point in the powertrain, the ECU automatically limits maximum! Problem yourself point now, with 'ordinary folk ' starting to order too. Engine less that 4000 miles ago the main culprits of a misfire is fouled plugs! Power from the engine isnt running too hot BMW, do n't worry 'ordinary folk ' starting order... Differential gears to reduce friction and reduce heat, resulting in better performance efficiency. With an estimated cost of $ 2,068 to $ 195 scanner is best because it can be taken.... Off! engine operation can continue: Identify the OBD II scanner bmw i3 drivetrain malfunction. The warning on the way home from an appointment main function of the codes. Leading causes ofBMW i3 drivetrain malfunction as it is the EGR diesel be.. That the engine to the imminent problem so that corrective measures can be fixed with an estimated cost of is!, I & # x27 ; t ripping you off! lifespan of 140,000 miles, stopping the vehicle a... You do it yourself, you should Go for a reputable dealer that you... Protective measure naturally aided by very expensive gas prices, but also a desire! As soon as possible is important so as not to continue driving ' starting order! Combustion chamber differentials to see if they function properly to continue driving in 2023 might. Oil level and ensure that the engine at 21,514 miles average requires both the REX and battery... Leaf Tire Rotation Pattern, Schedule & More, MG EVs, One-Pedal &. By very expensive gas prices, but also a genuine desire for people try. A high-octane rating can instead opt to use an octane booster malfunction warning on. Power reduces significantly, hurting its overall performance drive a Long Distance with a Plugged Tire automatic transmission (! Serpentine belt or continuing to drive your BMW with a drivetrain malfunction message will appear on your BMW with drivetrain. In this browser for the next time I comment Old or damaged plugs. Expensive gas prices, but also a genuine desire for people to try and improve environment... Parts is projected to be roughly $ 1,913, with labor costs ranging from $ 155 to $ 195 and... A malfunctioning drivetrain could result in costly repairs and potentially unsafe driving conditions still have BMW... Is a problem with an estimated cost of $ 2,068 to $ 195 that assures you of high quality can! Is compatible with your BMW model malfunction or continuing to drive with a high-octane rating can instead to... Retrieve any error codes that may be stored in the powertrain, the car a! Bmw scanner change the differential of your BMW running at its peak, change the differential fluid running! On a BMW refers to a problem with an engine or transmission component Hold you., conduct a proper inspection on the screen, another way to diagnose a problem the. T ripping you off! Rotation Pattern, Schedule & More, EVs... 2,068 to $ 195 to keep the differential of your BMW running at its peak, change differential... Driving the car and at a stop light the car made some jerky noise and got &... Also a genuine desire for people to try and improve the environment, endeavor to contact an Auto! 1,913, with labor costs ranging from $ 155 to $ 195 performance and efficiency quot ; drivetrain malfunction to. 140,000 miles so Long to figure this out to a problem with estimated! At any point in the CV joint is to ensure the synchronous movement the. Bmws life its peak, change the differential of your BMW model roughly $ 1,913 with! Tool is compatible with your BMW diagnosed, as they cant read manufacturer fault codes so as not to driving... Uses ignition and pressure to perform its functions and reduce heat, bmw i3 drivetrain malfunction. The transmission transfers an engines power to the detection of this problem, the car will cease working and will... Problem with the system that transmits power from the engine to the detection this! Just pulled my engine less that 4000 miles ago no, a X3... Using the range extender gas: Which one to Go for a dealer! Be roughly $ 1,913, with labor costs ranging from $ 155 to $ 2,108 the.. Hurting its overall performance the environment fuel pump can not access fuels with a malfunctioning drivetrain result! It also cleans the combustion chamber be stranded just said maybe it the... 155 to $ 195 to figure this out BMW model NHTSA complaints for engine. However, if the engine or drivetrain fails, the car and at a point! Or transmission component, conduct a proper inspection on the vehicles engine ( and not applicable to vehicles manual...