Today’s BMW cars are not only smarter but also possess an intricate computerized system to code any kind of malfunction within seconds. And they go ahead to display the signals directly on the dashboard of the vehicle.
One of the most common malfunctions a driver sees is the “drivetrain malfunction”. This is an indication that can lead to pricey repairs if not quickly attended to.
However, a “drivetrain malfunction” in BMW does not mean that the car stalled dead on its tracks. There are signs that draw the attention of the driver to the impending problem so something can be done immediately. So what does drivetrain malfunction really mean?
What does Drivetrain Malfunction mean?
Knowing what a BMW drivetrain warning means will spare you a lot of stress from the problem. A drivetrain malfunction message or signal on a BMW indicates a transmission or engine problem picked up by the car’s Engine Control Module – ECM.
The Engine Control Module, is sometimes known as Digital Motor Electronics – DME or Engine Control Unit – ECU.
Once the BMW’s computerized system detects there’s a drivetrain malfunction, the Engine Control Module restricts the car’s maximum torque output to prevent damage.
Symptoms of Malfunctioning Drivetrain
A BMW drivetrain malfunction doesn’t just happen and the car suddenly breaks down. If that did happen, there would be no need for the computerized systems on the car to inform the driver about any recent happenings in the car’s operations system.
So, there are symptoms that herald a drivetrain malfunction so as to alert the driver or the car owner that it’s time for him to take whatever steps to correct any issue that the ECU has detected. Some of these heralds of a malfunctioning drivetrain are:
- Check engine (CE) light display.
- iDrive screen displaying a drivetrain error message.
- Rough idling.
- Constant vibration.
- The engine cuts off when the gear is engaged.
- The transmission getting stuck in the gear.
What Causes Drivetrain Malfunctions?
A BMW drivetrain malfunction can be traced to two causes. If you are asking; “What causes drivetrain malfunction in BMW?” It can sometimes be due to either of the two, or both working hand-in-hand, as outlined below:
#1. Damaged fuel Injectors.
If one or more of your BMW car’s injectors is faulty or damaged, it is bound to affect the engine and reduce the power and performance.
The result is that the engine will lack the necessary power transfer through the drivetrain to engage the wheels and move other affected parts. Other causes along this line are; mass airflow sensor, blown head gasket, and defective turbo.
#2. Faulty spark plugs.
Worn-out or faulty spark plugs can also affect the proper functioning of a BMW’s drivetrain. This can come in various ways, with an example of an engine misfire, rough idling, engine refusal to start, etc. The remedy to this challenge would be to replace all the spark plugs in your BMW with a new set.
The fact that you can still put some spark plugs of the same category back in the car and leave others behind wouldn’t do. It will still hinder the proper functioning of your BMW.
#3. High-pressure/faulty fuel pump.
BMW car drivetrain malfunction when accelerating is directly traceable to when the fuel pump is not of high quality or defective. This is because a faulty fuel pump will fail to supply enough quantity of the fuel to power the car engine for it to surge forward.
#4. Faulty ignition coil.
Ignition coil is another culprit to a BMW car’s drivetrain malfunction error signal fired a screen away on the iDrive. It can also misfire the engine. A cylinder misfire is an indication that the ignition coil attached to it is bad.
Not to forget to after swapping the coils on that particular cylinder with another, does the problem persist?
#5. Clogged catalytic converter.
A clogged catalytic converter is what can make your BMW’s iDrivce screen show up a drivetrain malfunction signal. Clogged catalytic converter can exist in high mileage cars and hindering exhaust gases from releasing.
#6. Low octane/low-quality fuel.
As earlier said, if you filled up the tank of your BMW car with low octane fuel of low-quality, the power of the engine will most likely go down and alter the fun transfer of power from the engine to the wheels.
If you realize that to know you have filled your car’s fuel tank with low-quality octane gasoline, ensure you add an octane booster immediately to step up the fuel quality for the car.
How Do You Diagnose and Fix Drivetrain Problems?
Diagnosing a drivetrain malfunction on a BMW 535i or any other modern BMW car is pretty simple with an OBD II Scanner.
Some people may be contemplating how to fix driveway malfunction in BMW. Well, a good way to start off would be to restart the car engine before use of an OBD II scan.
Restart BMW engine
- Step 1: Find a safe location and park the car.
- Step 2: Turn off the car ignition and remove the car key
- Step 3: Defer for at least 5 to 7 minutes and restart the engine.
Properly inspect the BMW engine.
Sometimes, an engine restart can remove the drivetrain malfunction message on the iDrive screen due to the BMW drivetrain malfunction reset done by the engine restart.
But if the engine restart doesn’t do the trick, do a proper inspection on the car’s engine.
- Step 1. Safely Park and turn off the BMW’s ignition.
- Step 2. Pop the hood by pulling the hood-release component under your dashboard.
- Step 3. Observe your car’s engine temperature.
- Step 4. Check your car’s engine oil level.
- Step 5. Inspect for any coolant or oil leak and defective serpentine belt.
Read the drivetrain malfunction error code with an OBD II Scanner.
If the previous solutions fail to resolve the drivetrain malfunction issue in your BMW, you need to get your hands-on OBD II Scanner and read the error code.
- Step 1: Locate the OBD II Scanner port under the dashboard of your BMW.
- Step 2: Plugin/connect the scanner.
- Step 3: Turn the ignition to the “ON” position. (don’t start the engine)
- Step 4: Turn on the OBD II Scanner and select the BMW code.
- Step 5: Read codes from the car’s engine and transmission.
Once you have read these codes, refer to the manufacturer’s manual to see what they mean and proceed to take the necessary action to resolve the issue straight away.
FAQs.
Q: Can I drive a BMW with a drivetrain malfunction?
A car’s drivetrain malfunction is quite bad and must not be taken lightly or in jest. So, it is a no-no! Never drive your BMW with a drivetrain malfunction.
After all, the engine is what generates power in a car and the power gets to the wheels through the drivetrain to enable it to move.
So, when your BMW’s drivetrain malfunctions, it will be next to impossible for the engine power to reach the wheels.
Therefore, if you sense that your BMW’s drivetrain is defective, contact your dealer or a professional auto mechanic to check it out and fix the issue.
Q: How much does it cost to fix the drivetrain malfunction in BMW
If you own a BMW 328i and you are experiencing a problem with the drivetrain, the cost of fixing the problem is quite cheap. Drivetrain malfunction on BMW328i can be fixed with an approximate cost of $2,068 to $2,108.
Parts is estimated at about $1,913, while labor runs around $155 to $195. BMW drivetrain malfunction repair cost is cheaper than fixing both the drivetrain problem and other problems that surface as a result of not taking care of the drivetrain for too long.
Problems tend to be cheaper to fix in the early stages than when they have degenerated. Therefore, it is best to fix a vehicle’s malfunction in the drivetrain as soon as the problem is discovered.
Q: What does it mean when the drivetrain light comes on?
Drivetrain light showing is common with automatic cars of all models (and not applicable to cars with manual transmission).
If the drivetrain light shows on the dashboard, it means that some issue has been flagged in the car’s computerized system relating to the transaxle or automatic transmission.
If the drivetrain light comes on suddenly on your BMW X3 dashboard, it is advisable to regard the problem an emergency. Drivetrain malfunction on BMW X3 can be expensive to fix, if you continue to drive the car for long with the symptom sounding.
Q. What is BMW 1 Series drivetrain?
A BMW 1 Series drivetrain is simply the assembly that transfers the power from the engine, to the wheels and hence moves the car.
A BMW1 series drivetrain malfunction means that there is something wrong with its automatic transmission or the transaxle and therefore, the fix cannot be lagged.
A drivetrain malfunction is a big deal in any car, no matter the brand or model. Be it a BMW1 series or some other model, it is important to note early enough when there is a tendency of a defective drivetrain, so that it is diagnosed and fixed without fail.
So whether it is a drivetrain malfunction on BMW528i or any other BMW series, take any hint of nightmare about the drivetrain very seriously, until you sort it out.
Q: How long does a drivetrain last?
A car’s drivetrain is expected to last around 1,500 to 3,000 miles. But, of course, the expected life of the car’s drivetrain depends upon the driver’s driving and maintenance style.
A careful driving style and regularly maintaining the drivetrain will prolong the life of the part. And the likes which driver a car with the reckless driving style – with a random maintenance style – cannot boast of the likelihood of a drivetrain reaching expectation longevity.
So it is imperative to subscribe to a careful driving style, and also regular maintenance for your car and all its parts.
Final Words
A drivetrain malfunction on BMW can be very annoying especially if you’re clueless about the cause of the problem and how to fix it. On the other hand, you now know what to do if any similar challenge ever befalls your own BMW car.
If you have someone facing similar problem at the moment, why don’t you link him or her up with this post? I can assure you; it would be a lifesaver for such a fellow.
If you’re experiencing a drivetrain malfunction, do try to reach out to an expert auto mechanic as soon as possible (if you can’t fix the problem).