Bang/Clunk/Kick - after giving gas from a rolling stop - Feels like just got hit!

[tdog05]

What the hell is going on?

I just purchased my 2005 X5 4.4i (88K miles) and all of a sudden every time I don't stop completely from a stop sign (rolling stop or slight incline) I hear this loud bang/kick/clunk after I press the gas. Seems like it's trying to find a gear or the transfer case has something wrong or rear differential?

Closest reference to what I am experiencing:
Transmission Bump - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

Or another way to describe it is that it feels like I just got rear ended by another car -- after giving it gas from a rolling stop or on an slight incline.

Just got a " transmission fail safe error" last night, so I pulled over, stopped the engine, and started up and message went away. WTF?

Seems like the transmission is suddenly not engaging? Does anyone know what I should do besides trading it in before it gets worse and have to pay $$$ to fix?

I searched these forums and what I have read I should do these things in the following order...


1. Try the reset procedure - (turn key to position 2, press accelerator & hold for 25 seconds, turn off car, restart). - Does this work?

2. Get my transmission flushed and replaced with now transmission fluid and have transmission filter replaced. -- COST? -- I will start with this, because I found several people have this issue go away just by doing this.

3. Get the transmission software updated. - COST?

4. Replace the transmission valve body -- COST? - 04 4.4i X5 TRANSMISSION IS KICKING HARD - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

5. Replace the torque converter - COST?

6. Replace the rear chassis bushes - COST?

7. Replace $200 valve body wiring harness (part #24.34-1 423 719) - COST?

8. SELL CAR!

Anyone have any idea on what I should do first and what each one of these costs?

I am completely new to BMW and so far this is not good.

[David.X5]

If you are new to BMW it sounds like you would benefit by having a BMW expert look and diagnose it. Many of these parts are expensive and a $100 fee (from a good independent BMW shop) would be money well spent.

Most people avoid "flushing" the transmission as it can do harm. My personal concern is the flushing machines need something like 20L of extra fluid, and it is unlikely they will use the appropriate BMW fluid (Which runs $20-$40 a liter, it takes about 6L to drain and refill the tranny without opening the torque converter). Draining, changing the filter and refilling does seem to help. Once the pan is removed to change the filter, you can see what sort of particles and debris are present. Repeat again if you see an improvement to change more of the fluid.

But, again, since your range of possible problems is all over the place (and all are pricey), I suggest paying for an Indy to diagnose it and then decide whether you will have it repaired, have a rebuilt part put in, cut your losses, etc.

[Ricky Bobby]

Does it click after you turn the car off?

[tdog05]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Does it click after you turn the car off?

Does what click? The car after the engine is turned off? I haven't noticed anything, but I can check.

[Ricky Bobby]

Listen from under the car in the middle.

If it does, it may be the actuator gear is stripped on the transfer case. But a slam with some force probably wouldn't indicate that.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by tdog05

Does what click? The car after the engine is turned off? I haven't noticed anything, but I can check.

He's referring to the plastic gear in the transfer case. If you don't have the Trifecta of lights on (do a search for that) your transfer case gear is probably o.k. for now.

Most likely you need a trans rebuild. Either one of the drum (D-drum) has cracked or one of the o-ring is not sealing. Does this occurs when the engine and trans is cold or after the engine and trans had a chance to warm up? If it occurs right now after the trans has a chance to warm up you need a trans rebuild.

Perhaps that is why the previous owner decided to sell his X. The cost to replace the trans at the dealer is more then the cost to buy another use car.

[tdog05]

Originally Posted by upallnight

He's referring to the plastic gear in the transfer case. If you don't have the Trifecta of lights on (do a search for that) your transfer case gear is probably o.k. for now.

Most likely you need a trans rebuild. Either one of the drum (D-drum) has cracked or one of the o-ring is not sealing. Does this occurs when the engine and trans is cold or after the engine and trans had a chance to warm up? If it occurs right now after the trans has a chance to warm up you need a trans rebuild.

Perhaps that is why the previous owner decided to sell his X. The cost to replace the trans at the dealer is more then the cost to buy another use car.

-- This occurs almost every time you roll to a stop and don't stop completely and give it gas to take off. (Sometimes very hard, sometimes very soft kick/clunk/slam) If you stop completely, this does not happen at all - anytime.

I do not have any lights on or errors - Just one occurrence of the Fail safe message and it went away with a restart.

If you read these forums, there are a lot of people who have resolved this issue without replacing the entire tranny or having it rebuilt.

[upallnight]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpG91-ZzYY8

Here's a video on what I posted above.

[fmugur]

Originally Posted by tdog05

What the hell is going on?

I just purchased my 2005 X5 4.4i (88K miles) and all of a sudden every time I don't stop completely from a stop sign (rolling stop or slight incline) I hear this loud bang/kick/clunk after I press the gas. Seems like it's trying to find a gear or the transfer case has something wrong or rear differential?

Closest reference to what I am experiencing:
Transmission Bump - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

Or another way to describe it is that it feels like I just got rear ended by another car -- after giving it gas from a rolling stop or on an slight incline.

Just got a " transmission fail safe error" last night, so I pulled over, stopped the engine, and started up and message went away. WTF?

Seems like the transmission is suddenly not engaging? Does anyone know what I should do besides trading it in before it gets worse and have to pay $$$ to fix?

I searched these forums and what I have read I should do these things in the following order...


1. Try the reset procedure - (turn key to position 2, press accelerator & hold for 25 seconds, turn off car, restart). - Does this work?

2. Get my transmission flushed and replaced with now transmission fluid and have transmission filter replaced. -- COST? -- I will start with this, because I found several people have this issue go away just by doing this.

3. Get the transmission software updated. - COST?

4. Replace the transmission valve body -- COST? - 04 4.4i X5 TRANSMISSION IS KICKING HARD - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

5. Replace the torque converter - COST?

6. Replace the rear chassis bushes - COST?

7. Replace $200 valve body wiring harness (part #24.34-1 423 719) - COST?

8. SELL CAR!

Anyone have any idea on what I should do first and what each one of these costs?

I am completely new to BMW and so far this is not good.

Doru, a member here had the same problem and after he did the flush/filter (2 in your list) the problem went away. It seems to be pretty common but I know flashing the EGS firmware (3) doesn't fix this particular problem as I have tried this on my 04 4.4.

[tdog05]

Originally Posted by fmugur

Doru, a member here had the same problem and after he did the flush/filter (2 in your list) the problem went away. It seems to be pretty common but I know flashing the EGS firmware (3) doesn't fix this particular problem as I have tried this on my 04 4.4.

-- Okay, so you are recommending a flush and filter replacement then. Est cost?