BMW DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION
Powertrain failure is an error caused by a potential engine or transmission failure.
To protect the engine, transmission and driver, the car switches to safety mode. This limits the overall power of the engine, saving it from further damage. Damage like this is usually caused by heavy/abrupt acceleration, steep cornering or overtaking.
When faced with such a fault, the car also exhibits several symptoms such as intense shaking, bumpy ride, etc. In this article, we will discuss the BMW vehicle drivetrain malfunction, its causes and symptoms, and possible ways to fix it.
What does propulsion system failure mean? As mentioned, the propulsion system failure is a hardware malfunction. This fault occurs when the car's engine computer (known as ECU, ECM, DDE, DME) detects an engine or transmission failure. It displays the following error: "Drive system failure: drive moderately. Maximum transmission power is not available. In such a case, your car switches to safe mode or limp mode, in which the car's ECU (engine control unit) limits the total torque output.This helps prevent any further damage to both the engine and transmission while allowing you to reach your destination safely.
Why does the propulsion system malfunction?
The power generated by the engine is transferred to the wheel via the propulsion system while the transmission controls the gearbox ratio to maintain engine speed.A propulsion system failure is caused when any of these components are not working properly.This is generally due to the following reasons:
- Transmission failure due to overused spark plugs
Failure to start the engine while experiencing a powertrain failure is due to old/overused spark plugs. In such a case, you should immediately change all spark plugs at once, as spark plugs are responsible for burning fuel inside the combustion chamber. The intensity of the sparks produced decides the quality of combustion. This ultimately affects the power produced by the engine. So having good spark plugs is necessary for the proper functioning of the engine.
Note - If you have a diesel engine, it does not have spark plugs.
2. Transmission system failure due to old ignition coils
Ignition coils are responsible for supplying electricity to spark plugs to produce sparks. If the coils fail, less power will be produced, resulting in weak sparks. Symptoms such as misfiring, loss of power or sudden engine idling are caused by faulty spark plugs or old ignition coils. A quick diagnosis of the engine coil is sufficient to know if the ignition coil or spark plug is faulty.
3. Propulsion system malfunction due to failurehigh pressure fuel pump If the drive system malfunction occurs during acceleration, it may be caused by a fault in the high-pressure fuel pump.
High-pressure fuel pumps are needed to transfer fuel from the tank to the engine through compression, creating high pressure in the fuel lines. Any failure of the high pressure fuel pump can cause inconsistent fuel delivery, resulting in random loss/loss of power.
4. Transmission failure due to clogged catalytic converter
A catalytic converter is a device that cleans car exhaust emissions by using chemical reactions and converts harmful gases such as CO, NO, NO2 into less harmful CO2 and water vapour. A clogged catalytic converter would stop/slow down the rate of exhaust emissions, creating pressure in the exhaust unit, which will then clog the combustion chamber, causing the engine to stall due to increased pressure. Therefore causing the transmission to malfunction.
5. Propulsion system failure due to damaged fuel injectors
Injectors pump fuel into the combustion chamber. A damaged fuel injector would fail to do this properly, causing inefficient combustion and loss of power. This can cause sudden idling, engine stalling, vibration, misfires, etc., ultimately resulting in transmission failure. Low quality fuel, faulty turbocharger, blown head gasket or faulty air flow sensor can also be causes for the malfunction of the drive system.
Symptoms of transmission failure
Your BMW may show several symptoms at the time of breakdown
propulsion system. These symptoms may vary depending on the cause of the problem. On
Based on the symptoms, the root of the problem can also be identified. However, it could
there is one or more reasons for a particular symptom or you may experience
several symptoms due to a single problem. Here is a list of the most common
symptoms observed by BMW owners:
- Fault " Drive system fault " - Visible shaking and vibration- Engine lights come on- Power interruption while idling / Idling- Transmission stuck in one gear (especially in limp mode)- Engine misfiring / Car won't start- Too much smoke from exhaust
What you should do when you experience a powertrain failure in your BMW
Troubleshooting the running system: restart the engine
If a transmission error suddenly occurs while driving, or if you feel that something is wrong with the power delivery or transmission, the immediate step is to stop the car in a safe place. Turn off the engine and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. This will temporarily reset your car's drive system fault so you can drive. If your vehicle has already gone into limp mode, it is recommended that you continue driving. In this case a visit to the service is necessary. Propulsion system troubleshooting: Check the engine If restarting the car does not work, you should inspect the engine. See if you have any oil leaks, transmission fuel leaks or any strange noises or smoke coming out. If there is anything major, call for assistance. Often in cold weather, if the car sits idle, the battery could cause problems or it could discharge if something has been left plugged into the car's outlet. Troubleshooting the running system : Scan your vehicle Once you are in a safe location, you should scan the vehicle using an OBD-II scanner to diagnose and detect BMW faults. Keep in mind that only some specific scanners are compatible with BMW. In your car, the DME (Digital Engine Electronic) stores the engine code, while the EGS (Electronic Gearbox)/ AGS (Adaptive Gearbox) does this for the transmission. Scanning these two modules will give you the error code. To diagnose the drive system fault using an OBD scanner:
Step 1- First, locate the OBD II diagnostic port (usually located under the driver's side dashboard).
Step 2- Connect the scanner. Insert the key into the ignition and turn on. Do not start the engine.
Step 3- In the scanner, choose your vehicle model.
Step 4- Finally, select and read the DME and EGS/AGS codes. If scanning is not an option for you, it's best to contact the dealership or go to a mechanic. Whichever option you choose, you need to fix the problem before driving again. Otherwise, you risk damaging your car further.
Conclusion
Through this post, I learned about the failure of the propulsion system of BMW cars. What causes this fault, its symptoms and the ideal course of action when you experience this problem. One thing to note is that this fault could happen again for the same or other reasons. To avoid this, you need to practice good driving habits for the safety of you and your car.
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