BMW Drivetrain malfunction
It is not often when you get a Drivetrain Malfunction error in your vehicle. The BMW Drivetrain malfunction is an error caused due to a potential malfunction of the engine or transmission.
To protect the engine, transmission, and driver, the car switches into safety mode. This limits the overall engine output saving it from further damage. Malfunctions like this are usually caused by intense/abrupt acceleration, steep inclines, or overtaking.
When facing such an error your car would also show multiple symptoms like intense shaking, rough ride, vehicle cutting power, etc. In this article, we will discuss BMW drivetrain malfunction, its causes, and symptoms, and possible methods to fix the problem.
This article is for:
- BMW owners facing drivetrain malfunction error.
- People who have come across this error and are looking for a solution.
- Readers who are interested in knowing more about the topic.
Contents:
- What does the BMW drivetrain malfunction mean?
- Why is the BMW drivetrain malfunctioning?
- Symptoms of a drivetrain malfunction
- What to do when facing a BMW drivetrain malfunction?
What does the BMW drivetrain malfunction mean?
As stated, the BMW drivetrain malfunction is a hardware malfunction error. You get this error when your car’s engine computer (known as ECU, ECM, DDE, DME) detects a malfunction in the engine or transmission. Showing the following error:
“Drivetrain Malfunction: Drive moderately. Maximum drivetrain output not available. Consult service center”
In such an event, your car switches into safety mode or limp mode. Under which, your car’s ECU (Engine control unit) limits the overall torque production.
This helps in preventing any further damage to both the engine and transmission. While allowing you to get to your destination safely without damaging the car.
Why is the BMW drivetrain malfunctioning?
The power generated by the engine is transferred to the wheel through the drivetrain. While the transmission controls the gearbox ratio to maintain the engine speed.
A BMW drivetrain malfunction is caused when any of these components fail to function properly.
This is generally caused due to the following reasons:-
Drivetrain Malfunction due to Overused Spark Plugs
Facing engine misfire while experiencing drivetrain malfunction is due to Old/overused spark plugs. In such a case, you should immediately change all of your spark plugs at once.
Since spark plugs are responsible for the combustion of fuel inside the combustion chamber. The intensity of 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-powered engine, it has no spark plugs.
Drivetrain Malfunction due to Old Ignition coils
Ignition coils are responsible to provide electricity to spark plugs for the production of sparks. If the coils go bad, less power would be produced resulting in bad sparks. Symptoms like misfiring, power loss, or rough idling of the engine are caused due to bad spark plugs or old ignition coils.
A quick diagnosis of the engine coil is enough to know if it is the ignition coil or the spark plug at fault.
Drivetrain Malfunction due to Failed High-pressure fuel pump
If the drivetrain malfunction error is showing up while accelerating, it can be due to failed high-pressure fuel pump.
High-pressure fuel pumps are required to transfer fuel from the tank to the engine. It does so by compressing fuel creating high pressure in fuel lines. Any failure in the high-pressure fuel pump can cause inconsistent fuel supply resulting in random loss/surge of power.
Drivetrain Malfunction due to Clogged Catalytic converter
A catalytic converter is a device that cleans your car’s exhaust emissions. By using chemical reaction it converts harmful gases like CO, NO, NO2, into less harmful CO2 and water vapor.
A clogged catalytic converter would stop/slow down your exhaust emission rate, building pressure in the exhaust unit. Which will then clog the combustion chamber causing the engine to stall due to increasing pressure. Hence causing drivetrain malfunction.
BMW Drivetrain Malfunction due to Damaged Fuel Injectors
Fuel injectors inject fuel into the combustion chamber. A damaged fuel injector would fail to do so properly causing bad combustion and loss of power. This can cause rough idles, engine stalls, vibrations, misfires, etc. Which is yet another reason for drivetrain malfunction.
While these were the common causes for drivetrain malfunction error in BMW. It can also be caused due to low-quality fuel, malfunctioning turbo, blown head gasket, or bad mass airflow sensor.
Symptoms of a drivetrain malfunction
Your BMW can show multiple symptoms at the time of drivetrain malfunction. These symptoms can vary depending on the cause of the problem. Based on the symptoms the root of the problem can also be pinpointed.
However, there could be one or more reasons for a particular symptom. Or you can face multiple symptoms due to one problem.
Here is a list of the most common symptoms noticed by BMW owners.
- “Drivetrain malfunction” error on the screen
- Noticeable shaking and vibration
- Engine lights turn ON
- Power cut off while idling / Rough idling
- Transmission stuck in one gear (mostly in limp mode)
- Engine misfiring/Car would not start
- Too much smoke from the exhaust
While we have understood the symptoms and causes of BMW drivetrain malfunction. Let us discuss What you should do when facing a drivetrain malfunction in your BMW.
What to do when facing a BMW drivetrain malfunction?
BMW Drivetrain Malfunction Troubleshooting : Restart engine
If you suddenly have a drivetrain error pop-up while driving. Or, if you feel something is off with the power delivery or transmission. The immediate thing to do is stop your car at a safe place. Turn off the engine and let it sit for 5-10 mins.
This will get your car to temporarily reset the drivetrain malfunction error so you can drive back home. After a few minutes restart your car and normally drive back.
If your vehicle has switched to limp mode already, it is advised to continue driving. Once you reach back to your place, call your dealership or see for a BMW mechanic.
BMW Drivetrain Malfunction Troubleshooting : Check engine
If restarting your car doesn’t work, you should inspect your engine. See if you have any oil spill, transmission fuel leak, or any weird noise or smoke coming out. If there is something major, call for assistance.
Oftentimes in cold weather, if your car had been sitting idle, the battery might cause problems. Or it might get discharged if there was something left plugged in the car’s socket. If that’s the case you might have to jump start.
BMW Drivetrain Malfunction Troubleshooting : Scan vehicle
Once you are home or back to a safe location, you should scan your vehicle. By using an OBD-II scanner you can scan and diagnose your BMW for errors. Do remember that only some specific scanners are compatible with BMW. You can check them out here.
In your car, the DME (Digital motor electronic) stores the code for the engine. While the EGS(Electronic gearbox)/ AGS(Adaptive gearbox) does so for the transmission. Scanning these two modules would give you the error code.
To diagnose the BMW drivetrain malfunction using an OBD scanner:-
Step 1- First, locate the OBD II diagnostic port. Usually located under the dashboard of the driver’s side.
Step 2- Now plug in the scanner. Insert key into ignition and turn on. Don’t turn on the engine.
Step 3- In the scanner, choose your vehicle model.
Step 4- Lastly, select and read the codes from DME and EGS/AGS.
If scanning is not an option for you, it’s better to either contact the dealership or to get a mechanic. Whichever you do, you must get the problem resolved before driving your BMW again. Otherwise, you would risk damaging your car even more.
Conclusion
Through this post, we have learned about BMW drivetrain malfunction. What causes this error, its symptoms, and the ideal course of action when facing this issue. One thing to note is that this error could happen again due to the same or different reasons.
While that is a bit rare in the same vehicle it is common among all types of vehicle. To avoid it, you must practice good driving habits for your and your car’s safety.
Comments (8)
Hi Fahad,just a question from me. Can a timing chain cause the drive train problem, like the car becoming sluggish while driving. I’m asking this because I have not come across it in your beautiful article. Thanks
I had the clutch and flywheel replaced in my BMW 20 eighteen months ago. A drive train problem alert came up on the car screeen and the BMW dealer says I need new clutch and flywheel again. How can this be?
Experienced this a lot in my f30 318d. In my case its the egr valve. My car has this on a period, many times during a month – and then no problem for the rest of the year. It helps to put it in DS and drive manually with 3-4000 rpm about 20-40 km… i
Hi sir,
My name is Ameen Muhammad. I am from kerala.my family purcheased a BMW 3 series second hand from delhi. There was no problem when scanned in delhi. But after it was brought to kerala, the car was showing drivetrain malfunction, the fault code was 00029.we immediately reached out to bmw service centre. But unfortunately they are not able to find the cause of this error. Sir, please reply to my email if you have come across these error before.
Excellent information..very helpful.Thanks a lot!
Hi. Could my BMW going in to drive train often, cause damage to my fuel injectors . Many thanks.
I drive a series 1 BMW and I’m getting Burning under the car I can see it’s burning the cover infact it’s right under the gear stick the burning I’m not sure but u think it’s the catalyst converter?
Can you pay advise me
It was recalled back to BMW to have the manifold replaced and it’s only been happening since this fult has happened
Your sincely
Dan woodfield
Very comprehensive, well articulated, yet concise diagnosis narrative, thank you.