A catalytic converter converts harmful gases into water vapor and CO2, which is less toxic. This is an error that is commonly encountered by BMW owners. The drivetrain malfunction message is maddeningly generic, and I still haven't found any other references to the valve issue they mentioned. But this problem seems to be persistent with BMW. As my car got older, the BMW drivetrain malfunction drive moderately problem started appearing when the weather turned cold. If either one of these causes the drivetrain malfunction on your BMW, you should expect to pay around $1000. It will allow the automatic systems inside your car to perform a system reset and implement the safety measures, letting you drive back to your house safely. Find out all about it here. In some models, restarting the car a few times solves the check engine light problem. It includes the transmission, driveshaft, different joints, and the differential. 1. Oil Change Stations. This warranty includes the engine, transmission/transaxle, and transfer case. Most of the time only one of your fuel injectors gets clogged or damaged. Although any engine can misfire without being a severe issue, it is often better to play it safe when dealing with this concern. Hello. However, it might cause some unnecessary trouble when shopping for new vehicle parts. These are the most common reasons why you are encountering a drivetrain malfunction on BMW. Scanning the problem is the only way to know why the error is displayed. Unless you drive an older model, turning the vehicle off and turning it back on after a few minutes will usually clear the problem. The octane rating mentions the energy required to ignite the gas. When you try to accelerate rapidly, the fuel pump cannot keep up with the engine. Ive also experienced this warning when a sensor gets unplugged when services get performed on my vehicle. How To Deal With BMW Drivetrain Malfunction Message. If the issue persists If the problem persists, it is time to check beneath the hood. If there isn't a problem with the vehicle, you can likely continue the trip under regular driving conditions. Remember not to hesitate and call your mechanic if you believe its needed. I had the same problem 535i 2011 30000 miles. The automatic systems of your vehicle will try to perform a system reset when experiencing drivetrain malfunctions. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Depending on the severity of the issue the dealership will suggest a solution. Faulty or worn-out spark plugs can be really frustrating issues. BMW offers a drivetrain warranty for 4 years or 50,000 miles. You can totally avoid it by using the right fuel. Misfire happens when the explosive combustion reaction fails to ignite at the proper time. When the fuel pump cannot supply your engine with enough fuel, you are going to have to replace the fuel pump. If none of these work, then you have to scan the problem. Next, move onto fluid levels. 0W20 vs 0W30 Oil: Whats the Difference and Which Is Better? This is another common reason why you have a drivetrain malfunction on a BMW. For example, the engine control module DME has a virtual engine model by which it manages both the engine operation and performance monitoring. For example, noticing early leaking transmission fluids or gasket problems can save you up to $500 in repairs and prevent some sudden unlucky scenarios from a complete drivetrain malfunction. In diesel vehicles, you might see smoke. Show Less. In a BMW, such a battery problem can cause the drivetrain error message to appear. You can check the engine oil levels, monitor engine temperatures, and look for signs of smoke coming from the area.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'vehicletrooper_com-leader-2','ezslot_11',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-vehicletrooper_com-leader-2-0'); The codes stored in your Engine Control Module can let you know why youve got a BMW drivetrain malfunction drive moderately problem. When the engine is on idle for a while and you start to drive away it could shut down. Although it is technically possible that this issue could happen on any model, its usually the older cars that have it happen the most. If your. The parts arent cheap either. If you are ever unlucky enough to get this error, you will have to face the costs of repairing it. 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. BMW is one of the most prestigious car brands out there, and the automaker prides itself on superior engineering and excellent performance. Your car needs a high grade fuel to function well. To arrest the situation and prevent the problem with the engine or transmission from extending to terrible heights, the ECM limits the vehicles maximum torque and activates the safety (or limp) mode. If the problem was the fuel, you will only have to pay for the octane booster, which is relatively inexpensive. Sometimes youll be able to do the repairs yourself without any advanced gear needed. A drivetrain malfunction could be one of many causes. For this reason, all the exhaust fumes flow through the catalytic converter. Lets look at specific BMW models, such as the BMW i3. For this, you can use a BMW scanner tool. It is best to get a professional to unclog the converter and also possibly remove the cause of the clogging. While there are no guarantees that this could be the reason that your drivetrain is malfunctioning, there is a good possibility that it could be one of the causes that we mentioned earlier. Another common reason for a BMW drivetrain malfunction is a failed serpentine belt. Timely and regular maintenance checks will identify issues before they become a nuisance. Ladies and Gentlemen, hold on to your seats! Simply put, BMW cars offer style and practicality. If you do not take your car to a professional you can save even more. The diagnostic scanner tool will read the fault codes that triggered the alert, allowing you to understand if a repair is necessary. Release the hood release lever that is located underneath the dashboard. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'vehicletrooper_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_9',106,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-vehicletrooper_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');Youll want to pull the hood release. If all the injectors are relatively new, you might be able to get away with only replacing the faulty one. Other than these if your drivetrain completely fails, repairs are going to cost $3000 or more depending on the damage. When a warning light comes on it means that a problem is imminent, not immediate. Besides the faulty pressure sensor, the most common cause is a worn high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP). Perform a scan- if you want the most in-depth analysis of the potential problems of your vehicle, you can scan it with an OBD-II Scanner. It is precisely why the Drivetrain Malfunction error can give you lots of unpleasant emotions if it appears on your BMW screen. So you will have to do a few repairs. No, unless your car is specifically meant to run on high octane, driving on high octane will not prove to be fuel-efficient. If you use a generic OBD2 device, it might not give you the information needed to understand what repairs might be necessary. Choose your vehicle model from the options in the scanner. The last one is present when the error relates to our vehicles engine. Its not necessary to stop driving immediately after your car enters limp mode. I payed 2000$ over all . These misfires turn out to be the reason for drivetrain malfunction error. But in the BMW there are a few common causes that we see occurring repeatedly. The typical recommendation is to replace all your fuel injectors simultaneously to ensure your performance remains consistent. To avoid further damage to your car, its best not to try and repair it yourself, save for the prevention methods described above. To identify and fix a drivetrain issue on a BMW, a mechanic could follow the steps listed below: Visually examine the drivetrain's parts for any indications of wear or damage. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'vehicletrooper_com-leader-4','ezslot_13',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-vehicletrooper_com-leader-4-0');You should never ignore a BMW drivetrain malfunction drive moderately problem. If your BMW alerts you to a drivetrain issue, it may be caused by one of the more common malfunctions we have laid out below: Damaged Fuel Injectors. It is located under the dashboard. Most importantly, tires that are mismatched in size can damage the differential assembly. If the malfunction message stays on that means the fault is permanent. If your dealer or indy uses remote ISTA BMW diagnostics (RITA), they can run the vehicle test over the air and read out fault codes in about five minutes. Spark plugs were 15$ each and fuel injectors were 200$ each. BMW Drivetrain Malfunction is one of those vague warning messages that can mean both nothing and everything. If you notice something off with the transmission or delivery, locate a safe space and switch off the engine. These parts are necessary for fuel transmission from the tank to the engine. The fuel pressure loss will trigger both fuel pressure and misfire fault codes. Its a complex subset of parts that requires maximum care and expertise, which most casual drivers lack. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Turn the scanner on and select your model. Other than that, the symptoms of a faulty ignition coil are almost the same as faulty sparkplugs. 9-step guide on how to do it, 14 best floating plants for the top of your freshwater fish tank & aquarium, Lethargic, sick Betta fish lying & breathing heavily at the bottom of the tank. Your email address will not be published. This causes the drivetrain malfunction on BMW. The subset in your car responsible for detecting these malfunctions is called the cars engine computer, or ECU in short. Idling for the vehicle is rougher than usual. If the drivetrain malfunction message persists after attempting to reset it, it is possible that the issue has not been properly addressed. If the Drivetrain Malfunction warning message appears on your BMW's dashboard, the first thing you should do is read the fault codes with a diagnostic scanner and continue troubleshooting from there. Exhaust gasses are mostly made out of carbon dioxide which is a colorless gas. When the BMW drivetrain malfunction drive moderately problem appears, it means the Engine Control Module on your vehicle detected a transmission or engine issue. When your BMWs onboard diagnostic system detects a malfunction, it generates the fault code entry in the affected control unit and informs you with a check control message via iDrive and instrument cluster display. Leaving old spark plugs may disturb the engine and cause the same problem or a different one. Unless your BMW has an accident or something of that nature, routine maintenance should keep it from needing severe repairs. Observe the engine temperature, maybe it was due to the engine overheating. Apart from the drivetrain malfunction alerts, there are a certain number of other symptoms that can alert you when your drivetrain is malfunctioning. Best cat backpacks for carrying and hiking, including bubble ones, 10 Stabbing Stomach Pain Causes in the Upper Left Side (after eating, under the ribs), What is thick water: Its purpose, where to buy it, & health benefits, Fixing P0171 engine code Chevy, Ford, Toyota: System too lean (Bank 1), 6 Reasons an AC or Thermostat Wont Turn off, & How to fix it. The drivetrain malfunction light means that there is a fault in one or more engine management systems. You can also experience this problem when you have a high-mileage BMW. If youre using a more generic tool, youll need to choose BMW first, then the car you own.