Well.............

Let's start with is it electronic? I am not sure if the Euro version came with the 4HP-22 that we got. If you have the mode selector switch on the console it would be the electronic version. Here in our auto repair shop we had a Land Rover that incidentally has the 4HP-22 electronic transmission and it was doing the same thing. We checked for grounds and the sensor that connects on the shifter selector shaft on the transmission and we could find no electrical fault. We have since rebuilt anothe 4hp-22 electronic tranny and installed it but have not road tested it.

First check all the cables and make sure they are adjusted correctly, transmission fluid level, etc and if it is electronic check all the grounds and such. If it is the plain old 4hp-22 you may have a whole different set of issues.

If you got the same tranny as we do and it has not been modified to releive the pressure and the car has been idled as for bleeding the cooling system, emissions, etc there may be a very definate problem that is not readily repairable without a rebuild.

Sniff the fluid and of course check for proper level and since the pan is easy to remove go ahead and drop the pan to see whats in there. There are 2 types of filter bodies, one has a short tube and the other a long tube that goes down into the pan. If someone installed the short tube and it needed the long tube, then there was a possible air cavitation issue which fried something. If the car was idled as mentioned above and has not had the repair proceedure and then was driven off...you have a problem.

If all the cables and or electrical connectors (where applical)and the fluid level is ok, your next step is check the condition of the fluid and the pan contents. Any excess amount of fine metal particlas, and definately and larger flakes or particles, will more than likely mean you have a rebuild in your future.

I have replaced far too many of the 4hp-22 transmissions to be optimistic. Once you get them sorted out and or get a good one and understand it's weaknesses, it is a stable and reliable transmission. I had an 89 525 NA with that trans go over 400,000 miles with no problems and have had 2 89s that ate their transmissions which is how and or why I wound up with them. I have never rebuilt any of them chosing to by from a wrecking yard instead. I have had several good experiences and one that was not so good.

There is alot of very good help here with some extremely good mechanics.

Good luck

Michael - Chattanooga Tennessee
00 540 Sport / 6 speed, SaharaBeige Metallic / SamanaBeige II Montanna Leather, Xenons, DSP, CD Changer, Auto dimming rear view mirror, rain sensing wipers, fold down rear seat, Style 32 staggard wheels, Avon Tech M550 A/S (second set) 245/45/ZR17/95W Fronts and 275/40/ZR17/98W Rears. Still on the Factory battery...amazing! Oops just bought another BMW battery as the original finally gave up after 7 years
121,000 Smiles and climbing!

08 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 C Anniversary Edition Number 0064/3200 Copper and Vivid Black
932 miles

Other BMWs hanging around needing attention
98 E36 328i 5 speed Sport/Premium PKG
00 e46 323ia Premium Pkg
BMWCCA 65795

• 525i transmission problems - mean318 2008-04-03 08:10:25 (141 views)
  • Re: 525i trans swap - mean318 2008-04-16 08:59:01 (50 views)
  • Re: 525i transmission problems - bimmer5michael 2008-04-04 15:39:35 (93 views)
    • euro version all had the 4hp22, kickdown cable could be your problem - explodingbudgie 2008-04-04 16:05:02 (80 views)
  • Re: 525i transmission problems - Shayne 2008-04-04 12:06:39 (79 views)
  • check the shifter switch on the selector handle - explodingbudgie 2008-04-03 12:31:36 (83 views)
  • Re: 525i transmission problems (url) - Shayne 2008-04-03 10:22:21 (78 views)
    • Re: 525i transmission problems - mean318 2008-04-04 00:41:24 (81 views)
      • Does this car have a MAF or airflow meter? - rick540 2008-04-04 15:50:33 (76 views)
      • separate computer - kfister 2008-04-04 12:55:27 (74 views)
        • Re: separate computer - mean318 2008-04-15 07:16:56 (60 views)
          • Re: separate computer - mean318 2008-04-15 10:10:15 (54 views)
            • Look at the trans - rick540 2008-04-16 00:40:41 (58 views)
              • Re: Trans swap to manual - mean318 2008-04-16 08:59:53 (55 views)