Re: Autotrans stuck in third. Dash warning light o (archive)

Diagnosis by telepathy is rarely successful but I can provide a few ideas. You have gone into 'safe mode' because the ECU has managed to detect that something has gone wrong. Normally I would bet that this would a sensor failure (like no engine speed signal). However the 'rough shifting' might point to something more mechanical. It might be worth getting the stealer (or a good shop) to read the ECU's diagnostic codes - since the ECU thinks something is wrong, it would be interesting to know what! If it was mine I what look at every input to the trans ECU and try to check it or even fool the ECU into thinking that the input is working. You need an ETM and some electrical / electronic knowledge to do this though.
I venture to suggest that if your 'shop' hasn't found it in 2 days it's time to take it to someone who can find the fault.
John Millward
Trans started shifting roughly on the highway.
A few minutes later, the warning light came on on the dash (orange light, looks like a gear with a "!" in the middle of it).
It is now stuck in third. Putting it in first second or drive doesn't matter. It stays in third. It will go into reverse, too, but it seems very rough when it does it.
Its an 86 535i with the "123" electronic trans (same as E24).
Q: Am I dead? The shop has been looking at it for 2 days now, hoping that it is just something electrical. But I'm not so hopeful. I fear its new transmission time.
Any thoughts?

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