[constantin_md]

Hi everyone, i bought a used car recently and
i have an issue that is present only the first time i start the car in the morning.
I turn on the engine, switch to R , take foot off brake, but transmission changes to N by itself, car doesn't move. No rough idle or any bad symptoms. After trying 2-3 times an error appears on navigation - drivetrain error, engine doesn't have enough power, drive slowly or something like that.
I turn off the engine, lock the car, wait 2-3 minutes, try again and the car starts and drives perfectly all day. No error displayed anymore.
I was able to get a code with Carly(bmwhat) : CDA904

Is this something i should be concerned with? It is definitely annoying.
Oh , btw the car had a software update year 2015 . My car is a 2013 328i base.

Please advice!

[rollinstone157]

If you bought this car used recently you should take it back to the seller and start there. That's pretty abnormal

[Katin]

Try putting it on a good quality charger overnight once a week. Strange things start to happen when the battery is in a low charge state.
I have used the Deltran bettery tender but most recenlty procured a CTEK 4.3 that is even better.

[constantin_md]

I'll ask seller to pay cost of repair if i find a major problem.
For now, i'll try to replace oil, add a bottle of redline fuel system cleaner, clean air filter, check the voltage of battery in the morning.
If you have any other ideas please advice.
Apparently the problem is present only when engine/oil is cold. If i leave the car only for ~3 hours there is no problem.

[constantin_md]

I added a bottle of redline yesterday and filled up the tank, drove about 20miles and parked it. Today in the morning the car drove right away without an issue.
I hope there was some clog in the fuel system that was dissolved by redline and i won't have this transmission switching to N problem anymore.
The previous owner probably used cheap gas in it.

[constantin_md]

Today it happened again at cold start. I'll give it some more time until i burn all the fuel in the tank. Seems like redline didn't fix the problem indefinitely.

[Orion4]

Did Carly bother to tell you anything more about the error code "CDA904"? New one on me and the only thing I could find was: CDA904 FA-CAN, message (Status trailer, 0x2E4):Missing". Have no clue on the impact

[constantin_md]

Carly didn't have any information about the code except it was located under "engine"
After using a bottle of redline i get about 1 in 3 morning cold start issues. When the issue occurs i found out that by revving the engine to 2k rpm for 5 seconds, then shutting down engine it solves the problem. I suspect it's an intake problem.

[lijiahua790]

My N26 has the same code man, just Emailed Terry to see what can he do.

Originally Posted by Orion4

Did Carly bother to tell you anything more about the error code "CDA904"? New one on me and the only thing I could find was: CDA904 FA-CAN, message (Status trailer, 0x2E4):Missing". Have no clue on the impact

[Justin Gang]

Originally Posted by constantin_md

Carly didn't have any information about the code except it was located under "engine"
After using a bottle of redline i get about 1 in 3 morning cold start issues. When the issue occurs i found out that by revving the engine to 2k rpm for 5 seconds, then shutting down engine it solves the problem. I suspect it's an intake problem.

hum...Intake problem? it was good test result. I think So far No one knows about CDA904 error. if you get new idea, reply again.

and i had tried to ajusting DME code using OBDII cable. but not help anything.

[constantin_md]

Originally Posted by lijiahua790

My N26 has the same code man, just Emailed Terry to see what can he do.

Please keep me updated if you can.
I replaced the air filter with k&n and the problem still persists, but not every morning, maybe 2-3 times a week only now.
Revving the engine quickly to 1,5-2k rpm just one time solves the problem right away and i'm able to engage transmission in R or D and not have the problem all day.
I'll try to clean maff sensor next, then i don't know... maybe change spark plugs.
One other thing to note, previous owner did a software update to the car, i wonder if that did something.

[Bangher]

Instead of throwing parts at the car, why not take it to the dealer or an independent repair shop and have the problem diagnosed?

[crono06]

Originally Posted by Bangher

Instead of throwing parts at the car, why not take it to the dealer or an independent repair shop and have the problem diagnosed?

Agreed. I assume that all the parts you're replacing will eventually add to a substantial amount. If you bring it in and isolate/fix the issue, wouldn't that be better?

[constantin_md]

Good idea, diagnosing the car with a better tool like inpa may get better result and research options.
I doubt any independent shop would have a clue what's going on and the stealership would probably charge ~$200 for what i can do myself.
Some minor parts that i may replace are recommended anyway for my 40k miles car.

[Fast400]

Result?

[constantin_md]

I never had a chance to fix this issue, as i said it doesn't happen every day and when it happens i just put it into park, rev engine once to 2000 rpm then transmission engages without any issues.
I'd have to fix this though when i sell the car in 1-2 years.

[constantin_md]

I recently replaced the spark plugs myself at 45k miles which didn't fix the issue. A few days later Dealership sent me a note to update the 2G to 4G system or refund $200. I took the car there and they found out the car needs 5 recalls done. They also said they are going to do a free full car inspection.
This is what they found: "exhaust system has impact damage, intake silencer box is damage(vacuum nipple) "
If i only knew what the vacuum nipple was, can someone point out how to fix it, or maybe should i replace the entire box?

[catskillclimber]

this post shows a vacuum line on the back side of the air box.
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=908060

[constantin_md]

Originally Posted by catskillclimber

this post shows a vacuum line on the back side of the air box.
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=908060

Thank you so much!

[F30ed]

I doubt it is an engine fault. When this happens, are you parked on an incline?

[constantin_md]

This only happens when the engine is cold in the morning while car is parked in the garage on flat surface. It never happens when engine is warmed up. When it happens i rev engine quickly once to 2000rpm and it solves the issue right away without exceptions.

I recently replaced the stock intake with an injen intake that has the vacuum nipple intact, the problem still persists.

[constantin_md]

I found a fix for this issue. A few days ago i was searching in google about bmw owners with transmission issues and i found a e60 having exact same problem. He fixed it by replacing the gear selector. I found a used 2014 gear shifter on ebay for $80, replaced it in less than 20 minutes and that was it. Before i was getting 5 out of 7 days early morning transmission issues - with rev quick once to 2000rpm, a 100% for a day fix. Now a full week passed with new gear selector and i never got a problem.
Another thing to mention my old gear selector had a part number 9 291 517-01 and according to realoem it was installed only between 7/01/12 - 11/14/12
The replacement was bi - interchangeable 61319296896 which was installed up to 2016 in this cars.
My car had a software update in 2015 and maybe it didn't like the older part gear selector.

If you try to do it and it won't help, you could always resell the gear selector for near same $.

To remove the gear selector pry the nav panel with hands or plastic tools starting from front, disconnect nav knobs. With plastic tools pry the black plastic trim around shifter starting from bottom. After removing the nav panel there is a screw to right of shifter - remove it. Gently pry the plastic trim starting from right side. I could not figure out how to remove the sport/camera panel. There are 4 screws that hold the shifter, the left lower one is impossible to access, but if you manage to popup the lower trim and hold it 1 inch above it's place on the bottom you'll get access to the lower left screw of the shifter. Don't force it too much above it's place, there is probably something holding it on the left side. Be carefull not to drop the screws when removing.