Expert: Josh Fields - 9/19/2006

Question
I have a BMW 540i and my transmission is slipping.. I get a TRANS PROGRAM on the dash after i hear a bing and thump... If im  on a hill and i hit the gas i hear the gear slipping or if i slow down and turn the corner and push the gas i get a bing again and TRANS PROGRAM on the dash. do i need a new transmission or rebuilt? I dont know how to check the trans fluid on it either... If you can help me in any kind of way would be great

Answer
Gregory,
 Unfortunately I am not as familiar with with the 5-series as with the 3-series.  I would check on some of the 5-series message boards, and ask them.  www.bimmerforums.com has a great 5-series forum.

 However, it does sound like your transmission is going out.  Since you mentioned you dont know how to check the transmission fluid, I'm assuming that you never have... which could be your problem all together.  You have to check/change this fluid, just like the engine oil, just not as often.  I'm not going to tell you that you need a rebuild, because if you are getting a message on the on board computer, that means that the electronics knows about the problem, and it could simply be a bad sensor.  

 So I would post the question exactly as you said it to me, in the 5-series forum.

 Good luck Gregory,
 Josh