BMW is a car that has been built and kept a good name for itself for many years. The company likes to brag about its cutting-edge technology. With this technology, the car can tell in a matter of seconds if there might be a problem.
And if there is a problem, it will show up on your dashboard. The drivetrain error is probably something you know about if you own a BMW. Here’s everything you need to know about the moderate driving problem with a BMW’s drive train.
What is the problem with a car’s drivetrain?
A drivetrain problem is just when your engine or transmission gives you trouble. The car’s ECU, or engine control unit, finds this problem.
If something is wrong with your engine, you shouldn’t put it through a lot of stress. When the ECU detects a drivetrain error in a BMW, the engine’s power is automatically adjusted. By doing this, the BMW reduces the damage that the problem will do to your engine.
If you own a BMW, you may have noticed that this error usually happens when you speed up or when it is cold outside. Some people say that this error comes up when they are driving normally.
What You Need to Know About the “Drivetrain Malfunction” Error on a BMW
This is a common mistake that BMW owners often make. The problem seems to happen more when the car is going uphill, accelerating quickly, or pulling something heavy. Overall, as you can see, the BMW drivetrain breaks down when the engine is overworked, which is when you drive moderately.
When this message comes up, there’s not much you can do. The best thing to do is to get an OBD 2 scanner and try to figure out what’s wrong. You can either take it to a dealer or buy a scanner and figure out what’s wrong yourself.
You should be able to figure out why the error happened after you scan the codes. Once you know what caused it, you can decide if it needs to be checked out.
Are there any other signs that a BMW’s drivetrain is broken?
The drivetrain malfunction error will be the first and most obvious sign that something is wrong with your drivetrain. But if this problem keeps happening, you might want to know about other signs. If your drivetrain error doesn’t show up on your dashboard, you can tell it’s happening by looking for these signs.
Shaking
If your car is shaking or vibrating a lot, it could be a sign that something is wrong with the drivetrain. There are many things that could be making your car shake.
Even though the shaking might make it hard to figure out what’s wrong, the check engine light or a drivetrain error is often the next sign.
If you use an OBD 2 scanner to figure out what’s wrong, you should be able to figure out what’s wrong. You won’t be able to figure out what’s wrong based on shaking or vibrations alone.
The engine light is on.
Your car will always have a check engine light as long as it has an engine. Even though the engine isn’t part of the drivetrain, if something goes wrong with the engine, it affects the drivetrain. So, if your check engine light is on, it’s possible that your drivetrain warning light will soon come on.
Most of the time, if the engine is involved in a drivetrain error, both warnings come on at the same time. But if you only see the “Check Engine” light, it’s possible that a “Drivetrain Malfunction” error will come next.
Engine Turned Off
When there is a problem with the BMW’s drivetrain, this is often the case. If the engine has been sitting still for a while and you start to move, it might shut off. Again, a scan tool is the only way to find the exact cause.
Smoke from the tailpipe
In modern cars, there is no smoke coming out of the tailpipe. In diesel vehicles, you might see smoke. But you can’t see it in a new BMW. This doesn’t mean that there are no exhaust gases. Most of the gases that come out of a car’s tailpipe are made of carbon dioxide, which is a colorless gas. So you do not see exhaust fumes.
If you can see exhaust fumes, your engine is burning something other than fuel. This will also lead to a problem with the drivetrain.
These are just some of the signs that something is wrong with the drivetrain. In fact, there are dozens and dozens of things that could cause your drivetrain to fail. These are the most common signs that a BMW’s drivetrain is going wrong.
What Causes Drivetrain Malfunction BMW?
A drivetrain error could be caused by a number of things. That doesn’t mean you have to know each and every one of them. When you look at the causes of BMW drivetrain problems, there are a few that keep coming up.
Even though there is no way to know for sure, the drive train error is likely caused by one or more of the following.
Spark plugs that don’t work or are worn out can be very frustrating. Spark plugs usually need to be replaced after about 20,000 miles. So, if you forget to change your spark plugs when you should, you could end up with spark plugs that don’t work. BMWs can have problems with their drivetrains because of a few bad spark plugs.
Failed Ignition Coil
The ignition coils that power the sparkplugs in the BMW are likewise prone to failure, much like the sparkplugs. Misfires will also occur as a result of defective ignition coils. It turns out that the drivetrain malfunction error is caused by these misfires.
When a cylinder misfires, it signifies that the ignition coil that is attached to it is no longer functional. By switching the coil to another cylinder, you may test it out. If the other cylinder is now the source of the misfires, the ignition coil is likely to blame.
Other than that, the signs of a bad ignition coil are very similar to those of a bad sparkplug.
Fuel Pump Error
The pressure is the issue with the BMW fuel pump. When the BMW needs to supply more fuel to the engine, the fuel pump fails to do so.
This is a great illustration of why the drivetrain malfunction error appears when you accelerate. The gasoline pump is unable to keep up with the engine when you attempt to accelerate quickly. The check engine light and the drivetrain error come on because there isn’t enough power for the engine to accelerate.
You will need to replace the fuel pump if it is unable to provide your engine with enough fuel. Once more, this won’t be a pricey repair. It is an easy process.
Clogged Catalytic Converter
This is another typical cause of drivetrain issues in BMWs. The exhaust system includes the catalytic converter. The drivetrain is directly connected to the engine through the exhaust system.
When the car is running, dangerous gases are released, and the catalytic converter is responsible for lowering these gases. Carbon dioxide is created from carbon monoxide. All of the exhaust gases, therefore, pass via the catalytic converter. Particles have a tendency to stick during this process and clog the catalytic converter.
Older BMWs are more likely to have this. This problem may also be present in BMWs with excessive mileage.
Fuel injector damage
It can be challenging to fix fuel injectors that are damaged or obstructed. Your BMW will immediately perform worse if one or more of its fuel injectors are damaged. This is because the engine won’t receive enough fuel to function properly.
When this occurs, your engine operates with less power. On BMWs, this leads to drivetrain issues.
When you have to replace the fuel injector, things get complicated. Your fuel injectors usually only clog or become damaged in one. Therefore, it seems sensible to merely replace the broken fuel injector.
But it is recommended that you replace all your fuel injectors at once. This way you will get peak engine performance. But if you recently replaced your fuel injectors and don’t want to spend on replacing everything again, you can replace only the faulty fuel injectors.
How to Fix a BMW’s malfunctioning drivetrain
It can be frustrating when something goes wrong with your car. This is especially true if you don’t know what’s wrong, to begin with. If your BMW’s drivetrain stops working, there are a few things you can do to fix it.
Try to start your car again.
This is the first thing you should try if something goes wrong with your drive train.
If this happens while you’re driving, pull over somewhere safe. Then wait for 5 to 10 minutes and turn your engine back on. If the error was caused by a problem with the computer on board, restarting the computer would fix the issue.
In some models, the check engine light can be fixed by turning the car off and on a few times. The problem with the BMW’s drivetrain means that this won’t work.
Check Your Car’s Engine.
If the first idea didn’t work, you need to look at the problem more closely. The car is already parked in a safe place. Now you can open the hood and look at the engine.
Check the temperature of the engine. Maybe it was because the engine was too hot. Move on to levels of fluids. Check for oil in the engine, oil in the transmission, coolant, etc.
Make sure none of these are out of fluid. If the powertrain broke down because it didn’t have enough fluid, you need to fill it up as soon as possible.
Use a Scanner
If none of these work, you’ll have to figure out what’s wrong. The only way to find out why the error is shown is to scan the problem.
You can do this with a BMW scanner tool. When you read the error codes, you can decide if you can drive or not based on what caused the error.
If you don’t have an OBD 2 scanner, you can either buy one or take your car to the dealer to have it scanned. The dealership will suggest a solution based on how bad the problem is. You may need to check it out as soon as you can, or you may need to take your car in for repairs right away.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a BMW Drivetrain?
How much it costs to fix the car will depend on what’s wrong with it. The problem with the drivetrain could be caused by a number of things.
If the problem started because you didn’t have enough coolant and your engine is overheating, the only cost will be to add more coolant.
When we look at common problems like a broken spark plug, a broken ignition coil, or a broken fuel pump, the repairs are pretty cheap. You can fix these things on your own. You can save even more if you don’t take your car to a pro. These fixes will cost a few hundred dollars.
The cost goes up a bit when we get to the fuel injectors and the catalytic converter. All of these repairs are pricey. Since the work won’t be easy, it will cost a lot more. The parts are also not cheap.
If either of these causes your BMW’s drivetrain to break, you can expect to pay around $1200 to fix it. Depending on what kind of BMW it is, fixing it could cost up to $2,500 or more.
If the problem was the gas, you will only have to pay for the relatively cheap octane booster. If you use the right fuel, it won’t happen at all.
Aside from these, if your drivetrain fails completely, it will cost $4000 or more to fix, depending on how bad the damage is. So there is no way to say for sure how much it will cost to fix the problem with the BMW’s drivetrain.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How to reset the drivetrain malfunction BMW?
After turning off the engine, let it a few minutes to sit. By doing this, you can temporarily fix your car’s drivetrain malfunction error so you can return home. Restart your automobile and proceed to drive back normally after a short while.
How serious is the BMW drivetrain malfunction?
It is important to take this seriously because, if left unattended, the malfunction could result in costly repairs. However, a BMW drivetrain issue does not always lead to a breakdown, so if action is taken right once, the problem may frequently be fixed without causing too much hardship.
BMW drivetrain malfunction software update
See here for detail: BMWForum
Do You Get Better Mileage With Higher Octane Gas?
No, driving on high octane won’t prove to be fuel-efficient unless your car is designed to run on it. It is advised to use 93 or higher octane in the BMW. Utilizing fuel with a lower octane could reduce fuel economy.
The energy needed to ignite the gas is mentioned in the octane rating. It is independent of the energy released when the gas burns.
What Is The Price Of A Drivetrain Rebuild?
You will need to spend money on a full rebuild or a labor-intensive repair process in the event of a complete drivetrain failure. Gear replacement and other significant repairs can cost $2000 to $3000 or more. Costs vary depending on the model.
You might want to see this:
- Can You Drive Without a Catalytic Converter – Complete Guidance
- How To Reset Check Engine Light Without Disconnecting Battery?
- Why Is My Car Shaking And Check Engine Light On?
- What Does A Car Do When The Oxygen Sensor Is Bad?
About The Author
Ibrar Ayyub
I am an experienced technical writer holding a Master's degree in computer science from BZU Multan, Pakistan University. With a background spanning various industries, particularly in home automation and engineering, I have honed my skills in crafting clear and concise content. Proficient in leveraging infographics and diagrams, I strive to simplify complex concepts for readers. My strength lies in thorough research and presenting information in a structured and logical format.
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