popasmurf 0 Report post Posted October 28, 2013 hiya, first off.... Car: E39 520i sedanYear:1998Vin number:wbadm22020br55544Imported from singapore in 1999Options Auto - steptronic?? love this car! have had it for about 4 months and its been great! had to replace the alternator but as its done 223,000 kms i guess its to be expected. an issue has arisen with it that is semi difficult to explain but ill try my best... car starts fine and has no issues with idle etc. BUT when driving once it hits top gear and i am driving at a cruising speed (i.e 50km/h in a 50 k zone or 100 km/h in a 100 k zone) iv'e noticed the engine will on occasion begin to surge. for example when im in a 100 k zone and sitting at 100 k the revs will surge from around 2300-2400 rpm down to 2000-1900rpm and then back up to normal revs again and will continue to do so. when it does occur (which is not all the time! sometimes i can drive for 1/2 an hour and it wont happen but then it will start happening) i simply either put my foot down to get the car to drop down a gear or slide the gear lever over to "steptronic" mode to get it to drop down a gear and the problem stops. i will then lift my foot and let the car go back to its top gear and it will be fine for a while then start happening again.... ive tried to use the search engine here on bimmersport but its been useless.... i cant even get it to bring up any hits for a simple "e39" search.... ive also searched other bmw forums and googled like hell. but as you may now understand its hard to narrow this problem down to a simple google search term... im thinking maybe the vanos seals need replacing?? or possibly some sensor is going faulty? o2 sensor? exhaust sensor??.... possibilities are endless.... any help, guidance etc fully appreciated i'd love to get a diagnostic done on it but i live in new plymouth and im unsure of where to take it because as far as i know there are no official bmw service mechanics based here.... thanks in advance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*Glenn* 854 Report post Posted October 28, 2013 Sounds very much like you have a torque converter lock up clutch problem. There should be a reliable Auto Trans repairer down there in New Plymouth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EuroSurgeon 2 Report post Posted October 28, 2013 Speak to Richard at HDR Service center, he will be able to sort that out 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted October 28, 2013 i simply either put my foot down to get the car to drop down a gear or slide the gear lever over to "steptronic" mode to get it to drop down a gear and the problem stops. "S" is Sport mode. Basically means the RPM limit in each gear is higher and the shifts are slightly firmer and quicker. I think "steptronic" is just a fancy word for an automotic gearbox that has a manual mode. To engage manual mode you shift it over into Sport Mode then push the gear lever up or down. Once in manual you control the gear changes by pushing the gear lever up or down. The car will still change gear automatically in manual mode if the control module deems your speed to be too high or too low. Had a similar problem, though not as pronounced as yours, on my 540. A service and new trans fluid sorted it out but I'd do as Glenn says and take it to an Auto Trans repairer for a proper diagnostic. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Allanw 1052 Report post Posted October 28, 2013 My mates 540i was doing something similar. It turned out to be a solenoid to do the the lockup I think. Best to get a trans specialist to look at it - Often, they can drive it round the block and know the problem straight away. A service is never a bad idea anyway. Plus, if the box is poked you have an excuse for a manual conversion Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popasmurf 0 Report post Posted October 29, 2013 Thanks all for your comments and help. Will be ringing hdr tommorow. Will keep you posted on how things get on Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
