BMW E36 E39 GM 4l30E Transmission Fluid Filter And Shift Solenoid Change 

I have this transmission in both my 318is. This is by far the most in depth and helpful video I've seen on this transmission so thanks! These are actually a very good unit as long as servicing is kept up to date. They got a bad rep in BMWs because they were termed 'sealed for life' I.e. BMW told customers they never needed touching to keep dealership servicing costs down, knowing they'd last until the end of the 3 year warranty. After that 3 years it's on you to look after them and how long they last depends on how well you service them. I like to do this fluid and filter service every year or two depending on how much I drive, but it's never more than around 30-40k miles.

I LOVE how all u youtubers make "tutorial videos" that ALWAYS cut scene the hardest parts. IF YOU STRUGGLE WE WILL STRUGGLE,SHOW US HOW TO DO IT NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES. "Got some pliers and just rolled out the roll pin" I'm on hour number 2 and 1 has completely broken

Just a quick tip for filling up the gearbox: Use a garden spray pump. They have usually a capacity about 5 or more liters and a hose with a brass or similar soft metal ending. Remove or cut off the spraying end so you have just the open tube. Now bend the end a little over 90 degrees so you create a slight sort of hook (so it will hold inside the opening of the fill hole). Be carefull not to break it or create any dents and folds. It should be a smooth curve to preserve proper flow. Now pump the whole container to the maximum until the safety pressure valve starts leaving out excessive air.... aaaaand you are good to go. All you have to do is hold the press release and the oil starts comming by itself :) you can also take a rubber band and fix the release button or lever and watch the oil going in. Depending on how much pressure your container can hold you might have to repump every now and then to add pressure. If you want to go extra crazy you can add a connection to your compressor and pump it up with air this way. A little DIY but if done properly you'll get a tool you'll love :)

Great video Nathan. Extremely instructional for the DIY guys. These are the kind of "watch the action" vids that are so enjoyable. Many thanks!

my 1997 528i engages in reverse but will hardly move. i gave this a shot even though i have no issues with any other gears. it has 285k miles on it and i have had it for 3 years. didn't know it it had ever been done. the magnet was nasty and the fluid was dirty but no sings of anything major in the pan. and the fluid did not smell burnt at all. i was hoping. lol

Nathan, at 10:50 adjusting the band. Does it make any differences if you don't adjust? What is the purpose on it? Please explain. Thanks.

Transmission had low fluid level to start with, so I'm thinking that was the real cause of poor shifting. I'm surprised you didn't pull down the small sump, if nothing else to get rid of the old fluid in it and to clean it. That small sump has to filled partially when putting it back up.

Had a similar problem on the X5 E 53 reset the transmission control module key on engine off hold down the gas pedal for 15 seconds

Hi, I have bmw e39 auto transmission, I noticed that car shift into high gears even at low speed, what could be the reason ?

My car transmission jumps when it drops to first gear when slowing down to a stop

Is it anyway I can have my e46 looked at by you. Have a problem with the car trying to go but don’t really want to move

12:48 one option for in/lb ranges is using a torque screwdriver. Electricians are *supposed to use them* when tightening screws, so there are cheap chinese brands on Amazon that do the job. N.b. electricians never use torque screwdrivers, I usually have to go back and torque things myself 🤣

@16:59 What you said is false about the solenoids being the same-they are actually two different solenoid‘s-they may look the same but they operate differently not trying to call you out just trying to prevent others from having a failure in the future-Shift solenoid A controls shift points 1-2, and 3-4 while Shift solenoid B controls only 2-3 shift point. Always replace these two in a set.

where can i find OEM A,B solenoids?!

Great video. Thinking I need to replace the fluid and gasket. Car is a 2002 525i, but only has 58,000 miles on it. This very well may be the original fluid in it since I do not know what the original owner did.

Hey Nathan I know that asking car questions on internet is kind of stupid but i'm desperate .:D E39 2000, 528i...gears aint making any weird noise...its just...when the car needs to go uphill,or lets say accelerate on the flat road or smth like that and its in auto, it cant figure out in witch gear it likes to be....same as going downhill....changes gears like unconfident woman...now that being said...if i but it to manual, then no slips or nothing....is it worth doing the oil/filter change?or will i just try to find somekind of a diy gearbox "brain" factory reset?Thanks in advance man, subscribed and you have been my best friend for the last four days :D

Very helpful video for me, i have this transmission in opel omega b. Thanks

WalMart is often the best way to go. There are a limited number of corporations making these items (As you've pointed out in so many words) so why pay twice or more as much for about the same thing? WalMart oil: Made by Shell. Valvoline; as good as any other major fluid manufacturer as long as the fluid is within spec.

excellent video Nathan and thank you for taking the time to execute the work, the video and the editing since I imagine the process takes time, and took the opportunity to ask the following. I have a 2000 323i. which does not go in reverse, although if it grabs the reverse, the car moves and runs in the five shipments in both Drive, SD and Mode M everything goes well in fact does not even slip but it is only the reverse, already I took to inspect a workshop and they only gave me the. option to repair it, summarizing my question, would it be advisable to perform a service like the one you presented in your tutorial? or it is not recommended given the situation that there is no reverse in the transmission, thanks, Greetings.

That sight looks familiar. Spent this ridiculously hot Memorial weekend changing the fluid, filter and pan on my Vette. That Harbor Freight jack is top notch. Love it. It even clears the front of the Vette with the rear end backed up the ramps. Used that same Wal Mart Valvoline bottle. Good stuff. Where'd you get that little impact dude? What brand and how much? That would've made my life so much easier. I used a socket on all my pan bolts and my triceps are hella sore. I don't even want those problems again when I do the e38 trans pan bolts, count me out.

Hey I had a question? I’m going to change my transmission fluid and filter and I know that my 2nd and 3rd gear having a hard time going in gear. I wanted to change out 1-2&3-4 solenoids but I can’t fine them could you send a link that you might get yours from. thank you my car is a 2008 328I. Plus It’s shifting manual perfectly fine

Can you put uv leak detection dye in the trans fluid to check for leaks in the hoses for the trans fluid oil cooler

Great video. My car sometimes the gear selector is very hard to shift from parking to reverse/Drive position. Would that be fluid problem or solenoid? Thanks

Hello Nathan I'm faithful follower lol. So your program really really helped me a lot.! Best regards Rodney.

Please cant find the solenoids kits on ur link please give me the direct link thank you

Well done video Nathan. Currently doing this task on my e36 so your fluid input was very nice. I do have a question for you though, what’s the safest jack sequence to get the car on stands? Front crossmember then rear diff carrier?

I love that valvoline full synthetic ATF, use it in everything from the F250 SuperDuty 7.3 powerstroke on down. Just picked up some from Walmart - had to order it, they used to stock it, not any more. Great price on the parts you used too. Changed the solenoids on my Volvo V70, solved some really hard banging changes. When refilling fluid, I thought you could (with engine running) put the car in each of the gears manually without driving , and expect to be close to correct fill level. Nice thing about rwd, dont need to drop the subframe to get to the solenoids. Any relearn reset required for the trans module? Keep up the good work.

What was the purpose of adjusting the band?

Same trans in my 94 Honda passport

I run Walmart in my cars too. Just make sure that you are within spec.

Hey I have a question for you bro! So my 1997 bmw 528i’s 4l30e transmission just basically crapped out on me. It was totally fine, ran great no warnings at all that it was going to stop working. I got off the freeway and when I came to the spot sign it was great. When I went to accelerate when it was my turn to go, nothing. It just revved really high like I was in neutral. And it did that in every gear, even reverse. Do you think it’s the solenoids or should I buy this transmission with 141,000 miles on eBay! My car has 240,000 miles.

Where do you get the shift solenoids for a 1998 BMW 740il

Mine had gravel from reverse gear and a full magnet 🙃

on factory solenoids it does matter which one goes where

Randomly my auto car got stuck on first gear but would shift on manual mode, we replaced the transmission fluid and added lucas transmission fix and when I took it on a drive it actually got out of first gear and started shifting again

Nathan, we got a BMW 523i year 2000, 130k miles on it, autotransmission was very low on oil and we fill it up. All gears started working except reverse. It only makes a (somewhat nasty) punching sound when you switch from any gear to reverse. ABS system seems working properly, battery is also good. The reverse gear wont move the car at all. I think it is still low on oil and perhaps needs refill. Do you have any suggestions? There is also "engineblock" faulty light on the dashboard. Im just afraid that the drum is broken and wonder how usual it is. Its a nice car and would be shame to toss it away.

Great video! Thanks!

The info that you posted about the Solenoids not making a differents is wrong, one of them is a 1-2 shift and the other is a 3-4 shift, Look at the bent tabs on the two that were taken out they are bent in two different places-You replace them one at a time so that you know which one goes where-A part store will sell you the same ones for both- and that is WRONG

probably want to flush again to get that old fluid out as much as possible. Transmission flushes are always joked about, but in this case it cold use one.

Man i wish there was a video on the z3 1.9 or is it all the same sometimes ? Like I blewn away when it say maintaince free then what you do when the tran light come on ? Damn and Gm is on the tran and was built in france

i have 2 questions if you don't mind...what is the purpose of adjusting the band and is it necessary to do it when i want to change the transmission fluid...thank you

Nathan, do you have an opinion as to when not to change the transmission fluid because of the age of the car?

Hi, where did you order the solenoids from?

2002 325ci e47 m54. Are solenoids numbered to be placed in the correct slot? We got new ones and it’s not taking off in first gear

Nice detailed video.. I have a 2000 bmw 528i and my issue with my car it tends to hang on to 2nd gear a little longer than normal before shifting to 3rd.. Sometimes I make a full stop to kinda like reset it and give it a little more gas.. Will changing the solenoid (both) solve the issue? I just recently replaced my transmission oil too..

Hi Nathan, I've got an 03 325i that I just did a motor swap in and the car has ran fine but the transmission light was on which I had spilled some fluid out of the torque converter when installing it so I pumped some new fluid in and pumped out some of the old black oil well the transmission started downshifting hard in 2nd and 1st I checked the oil again and still same issue till Friday night I was driving and switched to sport mods and the transmission quit completely! Everything gear is neutral now, I tried to check the fluid but it's pouring out because it's not pulling the fluid up. What do u think? Sounds like electrical to me

Thanks for this video Helped me a lot

Hello I have a question, I have done everything in this video and replaced solenoids with Genuine BMW parts, I was able to start my car and top off the fluid, now my shifter will not move out of park, the physical shifter tries to move in the car but it held up by cable tension, I disconnected the cable at the transmission to manually switch the gears but it’s locked in park gear

Hello.hope somebody have an answer .is this the same transmission u find in an m3 98? I know for sure e36 transmission are different from m3 e36...mine is a 98 by the way..

Mine is throwing code p1835 have you seen this in one of your 540i

What’s the torque specs for the pan bolts?

LOLOL, go to Walmart (shittymart as was I call that place) to get transmission fluid for my Bimmer. 🤣 LMAO. I hate walmart, but regardles, I wouldn't even buy a replacement lightbulb from crappymart. But now I got you,I get what you're saying.

How to check transmission fluid 2002 bmw z 3?

Question - Does the E36 ZF Auto tranny have the adjustable band like the GM tranny? Thank you in advance

so my e39 when its run and drive for hour or more than that some times the transmission light get on and the car little bit run have but when i turn it off and on again its disappear and car run great please I'm so confuse need help

Do u have to do that band thing

where did you buy solenoid from?

get a oil catch can with breather hook up to valve cover block original pvc valve no more blue smoke 100% blue smoke gone natahan

where did you order filter and solenoid from?

Hey Nathan, can you put up a review on those shocks on your work bench at 1:13

Strange timing for me to ask this question! I have an e36, but it doesn't have a sticker on the pan, and I need to fill the trans after a leak. The plate I can see is blue and says GM on it, the side of the trans you can see in the engine bay says "GM Hydramatic 96017 670". I'm assuming its the 4l30E but I'm not quite sure?

Do you have to adjust the band??

MY AUTOMAT IC E39 DRIVE BUT DOESNT SHIT TO NEXT GEAR PLEASE HELP

Why they don't have filler tunes from top sucks

Where’s The Input And Output Sensors?

Hey man the talking and know how is good,but you time lapse too much would like to see more of your work in real time thx

Sooo ATF for a manual transmission?? Is that right or does it have to be MTF

whats your view on the harbor freight jack stands

Can and why wouldn’t you put a direct link to where you got the solenoids and gasket and filter from ? Can you give us a link so I can buy it! Thanks

Are these harbor freight jack stand

Today that shit is 34.99 a gallon

I have a 335i I did a fluid change already it doesn’t want to shift in to 4th gear it revs a little then shifts into the gear like a slip but I can down shift into the gear with no issue could the solenoids be the issue ?

Part number

ye my e36 transmission doesent like shifting in the cold but if its hot outside its fine, will you be making video of electric fan install i would like to see that, mainly the wiring part

what do you think of Castrol TRANSMAX™ DEXRON®VI ATF , last one on this page www.castrol.com/en_us/united-states/other-fluids/automatic-transmission-fluid-atf.html

I buy all my name brand lubricant from Walmart it's cheaper 😀

👍🏼👍🏼

NATHAN, HELP ME. I'm no mechanic, I also refused to take the to a mechanic. I got the car cause I love it and I want to be self reliant with my car. I watched you videos and learned ALOT OF THINGS. Well here's something I have an issue with. I have 2 other issues, I just want to tackle things one at a time. I have a automatic 1998 528i. When I use the slap shift and make it to 3rd gear and slow down, when it down shift, there will be a loud thud and my hud, a gear symbol with a wrench in the center will appear. Then from there, acceleration becomes an issue, just sounds like revving. I did this 3 too 4 times to figure out it would repeat or not, will it does. Then when I stop, turn the car off, the issue goes away.

Dude, nobody knows how much a quart is....