BMW 328XI not able to roll it

COOLBMWMAN · 02-05-2022, 11:19 AM

I have had ton of bmws in the past. This 11 bmw 328xi is having transmission issues. Fooled with it enough, but I think the transmission is shot. Car in Reverse does not move, but dash and gear selector show R, can't roll it freely as well while running or off.
In neutral and running car moves forward. In neutral and engine off car won't roll back or forward, as in it's locked somehow. Dash and selector show neutral.
In D it moves forward.
I checked the fluid and was very low so filled it out and checked the valve selector and it is not broken. Low fluid may have caused serious damage no idea.
Throws different codes at times but usually the P,R,D, neutral test.

No matter what I do I cannot roll it back out of my garage. I am guessing even if I put it on rollers has to be 4 rollers.
If I unlock the selector from bottom will that cause it to go to neutral?

marvinstockman · 02-05-2022, 12:11 PM

Parking brake may be stuck.

e90yyc · 02-05-2022, 12:30 PM

What codes are you getting?

COOLBMWMAN · 02-05-2022, 12:33 PM

No I am sure parking brake is Ok. Wheels turn freely off ground, and when running would drive forward with no issues...

COOLBMWMAN · 02-05-2022, 12:35 PM

codes usually are 56B9, 56BF, just not consistent and random, you clear it and keep trying to get into reverse or put in neutral and drive it while inner before getting some of the codes.

e90yyc · 02-05-2022, 01:03 PM

I'm not a transmission expert so I really don't know what the most likely cause for this is, but I have done some work on my old 6L45.

Even if your transmission internals (clutch packs etc) were damaged from low fluid, I'd still expect to be able to put it in gear. Since you can't, I'd think mechatronics would be a good place to start. Unfortunately won't know what damage might have been done to hard parts and clutch packs until you fix the mechatronics first, assuming that's what's preventing you from going into gear.

How low was your fluid anyway? How much fluid did you have to add in order to fill it (using proper procedure with fluid at temp and car running)? Any idea why it leaked to begin with?

When I searched on the Google I saw a bunch of general info on these codes. Many people mentioned the selector rod, but yours is intact so that's not the issue. Some mentioned the torque converter which doesn't make a ton of sense, and others have mentioned mechatronics which makes way more sense.

If it is your torque converter, I do have a working one that I pulled from my car and kept when I put in my manual transmission. Prob doesn't make sense to send your way due to shipping cost, but thought I'd mention anyway.

COOLBMWMAN · 02-05-2022, 05:05 PM

It's my friend's car, Told them not to buy this crap they don't listen, 07-11 is trash, especially the xi....it only had 1 liter when I drained it....they went to start it one and it wouldn't move...ya hard to know if mechatronic failed or something internal,,,not worth the fix..I added I believe 6-7 quarts, and yes I followed the temp procedure, done many BMWs in the past...It had a transmission cooler leak, fixed that as well....took mechatronic out and checked the selector valve, wasn't broken...seals looked Ok...

Serf27 · 02-05-2022, 08:18 PM

Remove the driveshaft from the transmission and it should roll.

COOLBMWMAN · 02-05-2022, 10:03 PM

Ya am trying to avoid that

e90yyc · 02-05-2022, 11:58 PM

Since it was so low on fluid you’re likely in for some serious issues, which you’re obviously aware of. Worrying about unbolting the driveshaft should be the least of your concerns right now, in my opinion.

Not sure I understand your comment about 07-11 being “trash,” but I can agree that whatever example this friend of yours has probably tends in that direction.

If I was your friend, I would be looking for a used transmission.

fastboatster · 02-06-2022, 12:17 AM

correct me if i'm wrong but 6l45 had an issue with selector valve getting broken. Here's what quickly comes up when you google one of the codes (56B9)
https://www.bgdiagnostica.com/BMW_SE...20Possible.pdf
I think this Service Info bulletin describes your situation
P.S. sorry, looks like you already have checked it. New pre-owned trans time

Serf27 · 02-06-2022, 01:17 AM

You can unbolt the drive shaft but don’t need to fully remove it.
I can’t remember if the exhaust is in the way.
The front driveshaft is easy to remove, if also needed.

COOLBMWMAN · 02-06-2022, 09:08 AM

Thanks to all for the suggestions and ideas. Ya the driveshaft shouldn't be that difficult. I guess I I will do so. What I meant by 7-11, my bad, is that the E90 from 07-11 are the worst BMWs I have seen. I have owned and worked on them all the way back to E36, owned them all to current models...Just way too many issues, timing, valve covers, transmissions you name it. The 12 F30 models have stepped up a bit, even though have issues, but nothing like the 328i and 335i, in my opinion.

02-05-2022, 11:19 AM	#1
COOLBMWMAN Enlisted Member 5 Rep 34 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 328 CONVERTIBLE Join Date: May 2021 Location: ALABAMA iTrader: (0)	BMW 328XI not able to roll it I have had ton of bmws in the past. This 11 bmw 328xi is having transmission issues. Fooled with it enough, but I think the transmission is shot. Car in Reverse does not move, but dash and gear selector show R, can't roll it freely as well while running or off. In neutral and running car moves forward. In neutral and engine off car won't roll back or forward, as in it's locked somehow. Dash and selector show neutral. In D it moves forward. I checked the fluid and was very low so filled it out and checked the valve selector and it is not broken. Low fluid may have caused serious damage no idea. Throws different codes at times but usually the P,R,D, neutral test. No matter what I do I cannot roll it back out of my garage. I am guessing even if I put it on rollers has to be 4 rollers. If I unlock the selector from bottom will that cause it to go to neutral?
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02-05-2022, 12:11 PM	#2
marvinstockman Major 400 Rep 1,080 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Rockville, MD iTrader: (0)	Parking brake may be stuck.
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02-05-2022, 12:30 PM	#3
e90yyc Art Collector 2427 Rep 3,450 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi (GM-delete 6MT) Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	What codes are you getting? __________________ When I'm dead, just throw me in the trash.
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02-05-2022, 12:33 PM	#4
COOLBMWMAN Enlisted Member 5 Rep 34 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 328 CONVERTIBLE Join Date: May 2021 Location: ALABAMA iTrader: (0)	No I am sure parking brake is Ok. Wheels turn freely off ground, and when running would drive forward with no issues...
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02-05-2022, 12:35 PM	#5
COOLBMWMAN Enlisted Member 5 Rep 34 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 328 CONVERTIBLE Join Date: May 2021 Location: ALABAMA iTrader: (0)	codes usually are 56B9, 56BF, just not consistent and random, you clear it and keep trying to get into reverse or put in neutral and drive it while inner before getting some of the codes.
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02-05-2022, 01:03 PM	#6
e90yyc Art Collector 2427 Rep 3,450 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi (GM-delete 6MT) Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I'm not a transmission expert so I really don't know what the most likely cause for this is, but I have done some work on my old 6L45. Even if your transmission internals (clutch packs etc) were damaged from low fluid, I'd still expect to be able to put it in gear. Since you can't, I'd think mechatronics would be a good place to start. Unfortunately won't know what damage might have been done to hard parts and clutch packs until you fix the mechatronics first, assuming that's what's preventing you from going into gear. How low was your fluid anyway? How much fluid did you have to add in order to fill it (using proper procedure with fluid at temp and car running)? Any idea why it leaked to begin with? When I searched on the Google I saw a bunch of general info on these codes. Many people mentioned the selector rod, but yours is intact so that's not the issue. Some mentioned the torque converter which doesn't make a ton of sense, and others have mentioned mechatronics which makes way more sense. If it is your torque converter, I do have a working one that I pulled from my car and kept when I put in my manual transmission. Prob doesn't make sense to send your way due to shipping cost, but thought I'd mention anyway. __________________ When I'm dead, just throw me in the trash.
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02-05-2022, 05:05 PM	#7
COOLBMWMAN Enlisted Member 5 Rep 34 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 328 CONVERTIBLE Join Date: May 2021 Location: ALABAMA iTrader: (0)	It's my friend's car, Told them not to buy this crap they don't listen, 07-11 is trash, especially the xi....it only had 1 liter when I drained it....they went to start it one and it wouldn't move...ya hard to know if mechatronic failed or something internal,,,not worth the fix..I added I believe 6-7 quarts, and yes I followed the temp procedure, done many BMWs in the past...It had a transmission cooler leak, fixed that as well....took mechatronic out and checked the selector valve, wasn't broken...seals looked Ok...
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02-05-2022, 08:18 PM	#8
Serf27 Brigadier General 2856 Rep 4,324 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Sitting in a BMW. iTrader: (-1)	Remove the driveshaft from the transmission and it should roll.
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02-05-2022, 10:03 PM	#9
COOLBMWMAN Enlisted Member 5 Rep 34 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 328 CONVERTIBLE Join Date: May 2021 Location: ALABAMA iTrader: (0)	Ya am trying to avoid that
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02-05-2022, 11:58 PM	#10
e90yyc Art Collector 2427 Rep 3,450 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi (GM-delete 6MT) Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Since it was so low on fluid you’re likely in for some serious issues, which you’re obviously aware of. Worrying about unbolting the driveshaft should be the least of your concerns right now, in my opinion. Not sure I understand your comment about 07-11 being “trash,” but I can agree that whatever example this friend of yours has probably tends in that direction. If I was your friend, I would be looking for a used transmission. __________________ When I'm dead, just throw me in the trash.
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02-06-2022, 12:17 AM	#11
fastboatster Captain 390 Rep 901 Posts Drives: 2009 bmw 328i Join Date: May 2019 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	correct me if i'm wrong but 6l45 had an issue with selector valve getting broken. Here's what quickly comes up when you google one of the codes (56B9) https://www.bgdiagnostica.com/BMW_SE...20Possible.pdf I think this Service Info bulletin describes your situation P.S. sorry, looks like you already have checked it. New pre-owned trans time __________________ 09 328i TiAg 6MT barebones with sport package
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02-06-2022, 01:17 AM	#12
Serf27 Brigadier General 2856 Rep 4,324 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Sitting in a BMW. iTrader: (-1)	You can unbolt the drive shaft but don’t need to fully remove it. I can’t remember if the exhaust is in the way. The front driveshaft is easy to remove, if also needed.
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02-06-2022, 09:08 AM	#13
COOLBMWMAN Enlisted Member 5 Rep 34 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 328 CONVERTIBLE Join Date: May 2021 Location: ALABAMA iTrader: (0)	Thanks to all for the suggestions and ideas. Ya the driveshaft shouldn't be that difficult. I guess I I will do so. What I meant by 7-11, my bad, is that the E90 from 07-11 are the worst BMWs I have seen. I have owned and worked on them all the way back to E36, owned them all to current models...Just way too many issues, timing, valve covers, transmissions you name it. The 12 F30 models have stepped up a bit, even though have issues, but nothing like the 328i and 335i, in my opinion.
	Appreciate 0 Quote