EGS code 100 speed monitoring

[nikko555]

I took my car, 98 528ia w/ 216k miles, in to a BMW indy for transmission diagnostics. The car was having the harsh 2nd to 3rd shifts and becoming more frequent. The harsh shifting only occurs on light throttle or letting off the throttle on slight downhills.

Indy told me that transmission is worn and should be replaced (around $4500 installed) as it will only get worse. The only code printed on the printout he gave me stated "EGS 100 speed monitoring. Transmission is failing."

Search for EGS 100 speed monitoring doesn't show much so I would appreciate any advice.

[nikko555]

[nikko555]

[Filehorse]

Most of us with automatic transmissions have ZF units. Even so there is not a large knowledge base who can interpret transmission codes. Most discussions revolve around replacing the "Lifetime" fluids and that whole concept has been dumped by BMW. For a lot of us, it was DOA anyway. We haven't been ignoring you; there's just not much knowledge available here that I'm aware of.

As for the code pulled up by your Indy, a quick search for that code suggests the engine RPM and the transmission speed do not match up for a given gear - suggesting there is excessive slippage. There is also the possibility of a failing transmission speed sensor but most of those are Hall effect sensors that typically either work or they don't.

For most on this board, in the event of transmission failure, the preferred course of action is a factory re-manufactured unit although the GM may be easier to "rebuild" than a ZF.

Before I did anything, I think I would invest the cost for an hour's labor and have a BMW dealer pull the codes and get their assessment of the situation. If a re-manufactured transmission is needed, shop around. You are not limited to a single source.

Given that you have 216,000 miles on the transmission, you may have reached the end of life. That's a lot of miles for any automatic transmission although each one is unique. At that mileage, replacing the transmission becomes a risky part of the cost of ownership.

Let us know how things work out.


Filehorse
Knoxville, TN
BMWCCA #407627

2002 525i Steptronic Sport/Premium | Build Date: 05/02
81,000 Ultimate Driving miles
Xenons
Style 81s | Bridgestone Potenza RE960 AS
Titanium Gray | Gray Leather
35% LLumar ATR LLumaStar tint
Valentine 1 | Hardwired
Steering wheel position memory w/Alzheimers
"Lifetime" ATF replaced at 40,000; Switched to Valvoline MaxLife @ the 80,000 mile service
"LIfetime" Final Drive gear oil replaced at 81,000; Redline 75W-90 GL-5
StopTech SportStop slotted rotors w/Axxis Deluxe Advanced pads
StopTech SS Braided Brake Lines

2001 E46 325i (Jet Black) Forced Retirement 6/28/09

2001 E46 325i (Orient Blue) Forced Retirement 10/09

1989 E30 325i (Alpine White) Retired

[nikko555]

uses the same diagnostic computer as the dealer when I made the appmnt and that's why I took it to him in hopes that he'll pull all the codes a dealer can. He charged me for 1/2 hr labor, $57, and pulled the EGS 100 code only. He told me there were other stored codes but were not related to the transmission issue.

I'm not sure if I'll get any different end result from the dealers who quoted $175-200 range for diagnostic. I'm guessing the dealers will also recommend a rebuilt unit be installed.

I agree the transmission is nearing its end of life, but if there is a good transmission specialist whose willing to do some detailed testing, I'm willing to pay $150-$200, and if the outcome is replacement, at least I'll know that the transmission is really not worth fixing.

[Filehorse]

will require somebody going into the transmission and I would not do that unless I was prepared to pay a good transmission tech to rebuild the transmission and repair/replace whatever is failing. That said, at this mileage there may be a LOT of things which are past their expected service life and the cost could escalate dramatically.

The question you need to ask yourself is: How much longer do I plan to own this car? If you think you may try to keep it another 4-5 years, maybe the remanufactured transmission is the way to go. On the other hand, if you think this car could be trade bait in a year or two, I'd be looking around for a reputable transmission shop and thinking about an overhaul to replace the parts that are causing your current problems. Another idea is to look for a "previously enjoyed" transmission (Used) but if it came from a car as old as yours, there's risk there as well.

Most of us driving a BMW automatic can only hope to go are far as you have on the original transmission.

Keep up posted on the outcome.


Filehorse
Knoxville, TN
BMWCCA #407627

2002 525i Steptronic Sport/Premium | Build Date: 05/02
81,000 Ultimate Driving miles
Xenons
Style 81s | Bridgestone Potenza RE960 AS
Titanium Gray | Gray Leather
35% LLumar ATR LLumaStar tint
Valentine 1 | Hardwired
Steering wheel position memory w/Alzheimers
"Lifetime" ATF replaced at 40,000; Switched to Valvoline MaxLife @ the 80,000 mile service
"LIfetime" Final Drive gear oil replaced at 81,000; Redline 75W-90 GL-5
StopTech SportStop slotted rotors w/Axxis Deluxe Advanced pads
StopTech SS Braided Brake Lines

2001 E46 325i (Jet Black) Forced Retirement 6/28/09

2001 E46 325i (Orient Blue) Forced Retirement 10/09

1989 E30 325i (Alpine White) Retired

[bilbmw]

...my indie pulled up when I had trans. issues with my '97 528. My indie said my trans was probably on it's way out. He did a fluid and filter change which helped a little, but the symptoms (the same as you described) came back within a day or two. When he did the fluid change, he found what he felt were "too many" metal shavings as well as little chunks of metal (OH GOD!).

I found a place out of Seattle on eBay that sold remanf. transmissions for BMWs. My price was then (2006) $1395.00 and my indie charged me 600.00 to R & R the old one, plus some other things he did while he was under the car. After about 20k miles and one fluid change, so far so good.

I can't think of the name of the place off hand but initially they seemed very customer friendly. Unfortunately, they sent the wrong trans (prod. date IS VERY IMPORTANT!!) and although I finally received the correct one, for some reason it was very hard to contact them afterwards. I was supposed to receive a $300.00 core charge (I sent them my old one -they paid the shipping) but somehow I got jerked on that. I could have pursued the issue but I was just happy to get a remanuf. trans for under 2 grand installed, considering what I was quoted by the dealer and a Cottman transmission shop.

There are actually parts and manuals that are available for repairing the 4L30E but unless you have a really GREAT transmisson expert that you are (very) friendly with, I would suggest you follow Filehorse's advise regarding what your long or short term plan for car is. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

'00 M5
-Carbon Black
-Blk/Blu Sport interior
-Mk III Nav. upgrade (16:9 wide screen)
-Rogue Engineering short shift kit
-Dice iPod integration kit

'97 528i
-'99 Double VANOS motor and ECU
-Jet Black
-Sand Beige interior
-Black Dashboard (upper/lower, and center console)
-Black, all leather shift handle
-Debadged
-Mr. MPL mesh lower grille
-Shadowline (diy) ext. trim
-Frenched high beams
-Clear front turn signal and side marker lenses
-Red/clear taillights
-E38 Interior map light w/ wood trim
-Amber fr. fog lamps
-Rear fog lamps
-In-dash CD player (CD53 Business)
-Dice iPod integration kit
-CMT5000VR cell phone (old tech.)
-Bav. Autosport mats w/ B/A icon (blue)
-Burlwood e-brake handle
-///M dead pedal
-Rear view mirror w/ compass
-Chrome instr. rings
-...and a rebuilt GM 4L30E transmission!!

'86 528e

'87 Chrysler Conquest TSi w/5spd.

'89 Merc. Grand Marquis

BMWCCA member since 1998