14 years old BMW E46 transmission error code P0734

[nk215]

Guys,
My plan falls apart when my old BMW E46 (3 series) put up an error code P0734. It can be something as simple as a sensor or something as expensive as mechanical issue with the transmission/torque converter.

The car is 14 years old with 176,000 miles on it. I’ve changed over the years.

+ Fuel pump
+ Fuel filter
+ Gaskets (VCG and oil housing gaskets)
+ Radiator, hose
+ Water pump
+ Belt tensioner
+ Control arm bushing
+ Shock absorbers and coil strings (rear).
+ Spark plugs, coils, vacuum hoses etc.

The car is worth practically nothing (around $2K) but I still really like it. My better judgment said that if the repair comes out more than $2K, just junk the car and move on.

The issue is, I was hoping to drag it out for another 3 years, waiting for a Tesla Model 3. If I get a new car now, it would be the wife’s choice: a Lexus or some sort. Two reliable low millage cars + a 97 jeep wrangler for fun = no chance for Tesla to sneak in the garage for the next 10 years or so.

I can fix up the jeep and hope that it last me longer. However if it ever leaves me on the side of the road, I’ll never hear the end of that story from my better half.

What would you do?

 

[Uppsala9496]

If you think the $2K fix will keep the car running for the next 3 years, then do it. Bit of a roll of the dice if anything else goes wrong. Since the car is pretty much worth nothing then I would take the chance and say something like - nothing more than $3k (only $1K a year) gets put into the car. The moment it goes above that amount you bite the bullet and get something else.

 

[nerp]

If the car is in decent shape otherwise, invest in the repair. $2,000 is a lot less than a new payment. And it's barely a down payment on a new car. A well-cared for high mileage car is worth a new engine or transmission in many cases, especially if you're the original owner.

 

[silicon]

Guys,
My plan falls apart when my old BMW E46 (3 series) put up an error code P0734. It can be something as simple as a sensor or something as expensive as mechanical issue with the transmission/torque converter.

The car is 14 years old with 176,000 miles on it. I’ve changed over the years.

+ Fuel pump
+ Fuel filter
+ Gaskets (VCG and oil housing gaskets)
+ Radiator, hose
+ Water pump
+ Belt tensioner
+ Control arm bushing
+ Shock absorbers and coil strings (rear).
+ Spark plugs, coils, vacuum hoses etc.

The car is worth practically nothing (around $2K) but I still really like it. My better judgment said that if the repair comes out more than $2K, just junk the car and move on.

The issue is, I was hoping to drag it out for another 3 years, waiting for a Tesla Model 3. If I get a new car now, it would be the wife’s choice: a Lexus or some sort. Two reliable low millage cars + a 97 jeep wrangler for fun = no chance for Tesla to sneak in the garage for the next 10 years or so.

I can fix up the jeep and hope that it last me longer. However if it ever leaves me on the side of the road, I’ll never hear the end of that story from my better half.

What would you do?

Have you preformed basic maintenance like fluid change, filtersand inspection of shift solenoids. The code refers to an incorrect ratio in 4th gear.

 

[nk215]

I do the basic maintenance however I have not touch the transmission. It's a sealed design and should be good for life. I'll be doing the transmission fluid/filter change in the next few weeks. I'll also change the sensor when I have the transmission pan off. The code p0734 points to a few things (open circuit, solenoid, transmission sensor etc).

 

[BlitzPuppet]

I do the basic maintenance however I have not touch the transmission. It's a sealed design and should be good for life. I'll be doing the transmission fluid/filter change in the next few weeks. I'll also change the sensor when I have the transmission pan off. The code p0734 points to a few things (open circuit, solenoid, transmission sensor etc).

Transmissions eventually wear out, sealed design or not. Manuals tend to just need the clutch replaced aside from fluid replacement and catastrophic failures.... Automatics tend to be a lot more complex as they can have more than one clutch/friction disc.

I'm in no ways an expert, but I do NOT believe in the "This Transmission never needs to be serviced!" marketing BS. It may never need to be serviced if I don't plan on keeping the car after 100K miles, but if I do then you better believe I will take care of it before I even hit 100K.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Only here, will people tell you to put in as much money to fix the car as the car is worth......to top things off, we are talking about 14 year old German car?

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

I'm gonna suggest you post this code on BMW forums and hope for the best/do research.

I wouldn't recommend putting 1k into it at this point......drive it to the ground. Less you put into it, better off you will be.