"Transmission Malfunction" error message when trying to start car

unknownazn77 · 01-24-2020, 04:09 PM

Hi All,
I have a 2013 328i and the other day, after shoveling out the snow, I tried to start my car. To my surprise, I was welcomed by a "Transmission Malfunction" message and that was it. There was a ticking sound when attempting the first few times but not anymore. I then tried just holding on to the start button and now all I get is the "Transmission Malfunction" message and the iDrive seems broken or not starting all the way. I don't have all the options in the menu anymore, no navigation, no vehicle information, just the radio and the on board instruction manuals. I thought maybe my battery was dying as I did get a low voltage message before too but all the electronics seems to be working. I've checked all the fuses up front and didn't find any blown ones. I did go ahead and tried getting the car jumped but got the same behavior. I even tried putting in a brand new battery in there but still nothing. No crank, no ticking, not anything, just says "Transmission Malfunction". I also tried to use an OBDII reader to see if I could get any code, but it wasn't able to connect to the ECU. I also tried putting it into neutral with that whole, hold shifter to neutral for 4 seconds process and that didn't work either.

What's wrong with my car?!?!

Did I brick my car some how? My car only has around 46k miles. I drove it a few days before this happened and I didn't feel any issues with it shifting so I'm doubtful that my transmission is actually broken. I'm guessing it's something more electrical? Any ideas what could be wrong with my car before I'm forced to take it in? Any help would be very much appreciated.

upsidedownfunnel · 01-24-2020, 04:13 PM

That error message could just be a collateral issue and not be the root cause. If the OBDII reader isn't even working, there must be some electronic problem somewhere. Perhaps your DME/ECU is toast. There should always be power to the OBD port and you should be able to read codes if your DME is functioning.

unknownazn77 · 01-24-2020, 04:23 PM

OBD port has power. I was using one of those cheap bluetooth dongle readers. My phone was able to connect to the reader but the reader fails to connect to the ECU. The iDrive was still okay up until I kept holding the start button in a miserable attempt to try to start the car. So did I fry my ECU when I did that?

unknownazn77 · 01-24-2020, 10:47 PM

So I managed to get the iDrive system to boot up all the way by resetting it with holding down the volume knob. After the iDrive system booted up all the way, my OBDII scanner was able to connect to the ECU. Plus one for not frying my ECU! It found some codes, and stupid me decided to clear them without saving them first and tried starting the car again and got the same results. Now when I scan for codes, I get a bunch of pending ones but this "U1164" is confirmed. When attempting to start I get this continuous ticking sound, almost like a relay switching back and forth. Could this be a bad DME relay? Does anybody know where that would be located? I tried googling this but couldn't find that information specifically for an F30, only older generations.

unknownazn77 · 01-25-2020, 05:51 PM

Here's a link to the clicking sound I've been hearing when attempting to start the car.

unknownazn77 · 01-28-2020, 10:26 AM

Just posting an update on this issue I was having. Hope it'll help someone else with these symptoms and save some $$$. Turns out I had a very corroded engine grounding cable. Had it swapped and it's good to go.

SteveinArizona · 01-28-2020, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unknownazn77

Just posting an update on this issue I was having. Hope it'll help someone else with these symptoms and save some $$$. Turns out I had a very corroded engine grounding cable. Had it swapped and it's good to go.

Thanks. It is amazing how many issues come down to bad grounds in all cars.

xthiagodias · 02-19-2021, 10:12 AM

Hi unknownazn77, sorry for re-open this topic.. but i need help to try to solve a problem that is showing up on my 328i also in 2013. i don't know if it's the same error as yours, i wanted to know what you moved to solve, i'll put a video of what happens in my girl ... gives this error frequently, but in some attempts it is normal and runs normally..
Erro malfunction drivetrain, I haven't taken the bmw yet.

Sorry, the menu on bmw is in portuguese!

jbopa · 02-16-2023, 08:24 PM

same issue. rusted engine ground strap. new strap, works fine now

PradoRdz · 10-25-2023, 09:59 AM

Im having the same problem, where was the grounding cable that you replaced?

PradoRdz · 10-25-2023, 10:10 AM

Im having the same problem, where was the grounding cable that you replaced?

01-24-2020, 04:09 PM	#1
unknownazn77 New Member 4 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 328i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	"Transmission Malfunction" error message when trying to start car Hi All, I have a 2013 328i and the other day, after shoveling out the snow, I tried to start my car. To my surprise, I was welcomed by a "Transmission Malfunction" message and that was it. There was a ticking sound when attempting the first few times but not anymore. I then tried just holding on to the start button and now all I get is the "Transmission Malfunction" message and the iDrive seems broken or not starting all the way. I don't have all the options in the menu anymore, no navigation, no vehicle information, just the radio and the on board instruction manuals. I thought maybe my battery was dying as I did get a low voltage message before too but all the electronics seems to be working. I've checked all the fuses up front and didn't find any blown ones. I did go ahead and tried getting the car jumped but got the same behavior. I even tried putting in a brand new battery in there but still nothing. No crank, no ticking, not anything, just says "Transmission Malfunction". I also tried to use an OBDII reader to see if I could get any code, but it wasn't able to connect to the ECU. I also tried putting it into neutral with that whole, hold shifter to neutral for 4 seconds process and that didn't work either. What's wrong with my car?!?! Did I brick my car some how? My car only has around 46k miles. I drove it a few days before this happened and I didn't feel any issues with it shifting so I'm doubtful that my transmission is actually broken. I'm guessing it's something more electrical? Any ideas what could be wrong with my car before I'm forced to take it in? Any help would be very much appreciated.
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01-24-2020, 04:13 PM	#2
upsidedownfunnel Colonel 1996 Rep 2,499 Posts Drives: 2014 335i Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: SoCal iTrader: (4) Garage List 2014 BMW 335i [0.00]	That error message could just be a collateral issue and not be the root cause. If the OBDII reader isn't even working, there must be some electronic problem somewhere. Perhaps your DME/ECU is toast. There should always be power to the OBD port and you should be able to read codes if your DME is functioning.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-24-2020, 04:23 PM	#3
unknownazn77 New Member 4 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 328i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	OBD port has power. I was using one of those cheap bluetooth dongle readers. My phone was able to connect to the reader but the reader fails to connect to the ECU. The iDrive was still okay up until I kept holding the start button in a miserable attempt to try to start the car. So did I fry my ECU when I did that?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-24-2020, 10:47 PM	#4
unknownazn77 New Member 4 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 328i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	So I managed to get the iDrive system to boot up all the way by resetting it with holding down the volume knob. After the iDrive system booted up all the way, my OBDII scanner was able to connect to the ECU. Plus one for not frying my ECU! It found some codes, and stupid me decided to clear them without saving them first and tried starting the car again and got the same results. Now when I scan for codes, I get a bunch of pending ones but this "U1164" is confirmed. When attempting to start I get this continuous ticking sound, almost like a relay switching back and forth. Could this be a bad DME relay? Does anybody know where that would be located? I tried googling this but couldn't find that information specifically for an F30, only older generations.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-25-2020, 05:51 PM	#5
unknownazn77 New Member 4 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 328i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Here's a link to the clicking sound I've been hearing when attempting to start the car.
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01-28-2020, 10:26 AM	#6
unknownazn77 New Member 4 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 328i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Just posting an update on this issue I was having. Hope it'll help someone else with these symptoms and save some $$$. Turns out I had a very corroded engine grounding cable. Had it swapped and it's good to go.
	Appreciate 1 zeikei124.50 Quote

02-19-2021, 10:12 AM	#8
xthiagodias Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW 328i Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: BELEM iTrader: (0)	Problem with 328i F30 2013 Hi unknownazn77, sorry for re-open this topic.. but i need help to try to solve a problem that is showing up on my 328i also in 2013. i don't know if it's the same error as yours, i wanted to know what you moved to solve, i'll put a video of what happens in my girl ... gives this error frequently, but in some attempts it is normal and runs normally.. Erro malfunction drivetrain, I haven't taken the bmw yet. Sorry, the menu on bmw is in portuguese! Attached Images
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02-16-2023, 08:24 PM	#9
jbopa New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2013 bmw 328i f30 Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: california iTrader: (0)	same issue. rusted engine ground strap. new strap, works fine now
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10-25-2023, 09:59 AM	#10
PradoRdz New Member 2 Rep 15 Posts Drives: BMW F30 B48 Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Mexico iTrader: (0)	Im having the same problem, where was the grounding cable that you replaced?
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10-25-2023, 10:10 AM	#11
PradoRdz New Member 2 Rep 15 Posts Drives: BMW F30 B48 Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Mexico iTrader: (0)	Im having the same problem, where was the grounding cable that you replaced?
	Appreciate 0 Quote