This is a quick time lapse video of me replacing the solenoids on my 2004 545i transmission valve body. Sorry, I had the resolution set as high as it would go on my camera on accident, so I ran out of memory card space before I got all the way through this. I was originally going to show a lot more detail on taking the valve body/mechatronics apart and how the replace the solenoids & reinstall everything. Hopefully this still helps someone though.
Typically BMW will tell you to replace the entire transmission when there are any issues or at the very least, sell you an entirely new valve body/mechatronics unit at the cost of a kidney on the black market. If you’re a decent DIY’er you might have even found rebuilt mechatronics/valve bodies online for $1500 or so. Most common issues can be resolved with just new EDS solenoids (pressure regulating solenoids), which can be found on the internet. I got mine from thectsc.com in one of the kits for under $500.
My issues were slow going into reverse (3 to 4 seconds), jerky shifts, especially 3 to 2 and 5 to 6, and transmission errors under hard acceleration during a 4 to 5 shift. All issues have been resolved. I can barely tell when it even shifts anymore it’s so smooth now.
Oh, and mine has 181K MILES ON THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION. The hard parts of these transmissions are great, it’s the solenoids that fail early due to BMW’s “lifetime transmission fluid” joke.
MAKE SURE YOU RESET ALL OF THE ADAPTATIONS IN INPA BEFORE DRIVING THE CAR. Do not rely on the “hold the accelerator to the floor with the engine off for 30 seconds” trick. It has never worked like a real reset for me.
Please comment with any questions. Its a pretty simple job, just messy with all the transmission fluid that keeps dripping out.
Update:
INPA software link: https://bmwcoders.com/forum/bmw-gt1-ops-opps-inpa-24/bmw-inpa-ediabas-installation-manual-software-328/
Compatible cable:
https://www.one-stop-electronics.com/shop/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=16
Pictures of seal between valve body / oil pump:
https://www.thectsc.com/images/products/0501%20219%20952%2001.jpg
https://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii29/GearShift2008/6HP26/Bridgeseal.jpg
https://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii29/GearShift2008/6HP26/Valveblockremoved.jpg
Post time: Aug-06-2017